Watermelon: The Perfect Summer Snack
June 16, 2015

These mouthwatering slices are packed with vitamins, right down to the rind.

Crisp, sweet and juicy, watermelon may be the most refreshing summer treat around. In addition to being around 90 percent water—great for hydrating dancers—it offers some key nutrients.

Just a cup of the fruit contains close to 20 percent of your daily Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It also contains potassium, an important electrolyte for building muscle and preventing cramps, as well as the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which gives watermelon and tomatoes their red color.

To maximize your nutrition intake, let the watermelon ripen all the way—the redder the fruit, the higher the lycopene concentration. And nibble down slices to the rind—the crunchier white flesh contains nutrients, too.

Photo: Thinkstock