Many of us have probably witnessed numerous health trends and crazes come and go, some of which are viable options while others can either be dangerous or ineffective. One of today’s newest trends in health-conscious beverages is watermelon water. There is one brand, in particular, WTRMLN WTR, which has garnered some attention in recent years. Unlike other supposed fruit drinks, its ingredients actually seem sound, containing only watermelon flesh, rind, and lemon. However, despite its fresh ingredients and absence of added sugar, each bottle still has 12 grams of sugar. Fruit, including watermelon, have sugar, so even if a manufacturer refrains from dumping added sugar into a beverage, the fruit itself delivers it.

That said, some brands of watermelon water still provide health benefits. They provide electrolytes, amino acids (specifically, an acid known as L-Citrulline, which reduces muscle soreness), Vitamin A and C, and potassium, to name a few. What are all of these nutrients good for? Potassium is a mineral that is necessary for many organs, such as the heart and kidneys, to function normally. Vitamin A is excellent for one’s vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth. Vitamin C helps support one’s immune system, staving off the common cold. Watermelon water is also said to contain lycopene, which is known for its anti-aging benefits.

If you are an individual who likes to keep active and enjoys some sweaty workouts, chances are you are losing electrolytes. Watermelon water does not contain the specific electrolytes your body will crave, unfortunately, since it does not have a notable amount of sodium.

What you will want to look out for as a consumer is watermelon water that contains more than just watermelon. There are lots of juice options available, but many of them contain added sugar or other preservatives that do not provide your body any benefits. As mentioned earlier, watermelon already has enough sugar on its own. In fact, it has a Glycemic Index (GI) of 72, putting it squarely in the “high” category. If you are a diabetic, you might want to pass on drinking a large glass of watermelon water since it might impact your blood glucose levels. You will especially want to avoid watermelon water sold in stores that contain added sugar.

If you really want to make sure you are only consuming watermelon, you can juice it at home. Health benefits aside, watermelon water is a tasty treat and relatively low in calories. To put it in perspective, consider this: a 12 ounce can of Coke has 140 calories and a whopping 39 grams of sugar. Orange juice has about 112 calories per 8 ounce serving. Watermelon water has about 75 calories per 8 ounce cup and, if you are really wary of the calorie count or sugar, you can dilute it with water and still expect it to taste good.

Planning on juicing at home? You might want to keep the seeds when you blend it since that will actually add protein to your drink. About 1 ounce contains up to 8 grams of protein, which is more protein and fewer calories than an equivalent weight of peanuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews, and walnuts. If you have no interest in including blended seeds in your watermelon juice, you can always set them aside for later as a snack, though that is not nearly as appealing. Just make sure they are fully blended into a powder-like consistency. This will also make their nutrients as bioavailable as possible.

A History of Quality Patient Care

Garfield Medical Center has a long history of excellent patient care and a continued commitment to service and excellence. For over 80 years, Garfield has provided patients with the kind of high-quality and reliable care they need and deserve. With a full-service, acute-care facility, we pride ourselves on making patients from all walks of life and varying backgrounds feel safe and at ease. We have a staff of 500 doctors and 1,300 employees, interpretation services, a Designated Stroke Center, Emergency Services, and STEMI Receiving Center, all conveniently located in the multi-cultural community of West San Gabriel Valley. Our facility seeks to accommodate all who seek our care, and understands the importance of special dietary needs and concerns. To ensure you feel at home during your stay with us, our dietary teams is able to provide diverse cuisines for all patients.

For more information, contact us today at 626.573.2222 and learn more about what Garfield Medical Center can do for you or your loved ones.

This article contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis of a physician. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare providers.