When you purchase through links on our watermelon slice, we may earn an affiliate commission. Watermelon is a refreshing fruit full of healthy vitamins. Watermelons are refreshingly good for you.

What happens if you eat too much watermelon? Amino acids are the basic building block for protein, and protein is used in virtually every vital function in the body. Related: How much water do you really need to drink? Watermelon contains some of the highest lycopene levels of any type of fresh fruit. Lycopene is a phytonutrient, which is a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables that are produced to fend off attacks by bacteria, fungi or viruses.

Some studies suggest phytonutrients are likely to play important roles in the body. Lycopene is also the red pigment that gives watermelons, tomatoes, red grapefruits and guavas their color. Here are the nutrition facts for the watermelon, according to the U. In small studies in human cells and animals, lycopene has been linked with heart health, bone health and prostate cancer prevention.

To really maximize your lycopene intake, you need to let your watermelon fully ripen. The redder your watermelon gets, the higher the concentration of lycopene becomes. Beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant content also increase as the watermelon ripens. By the time it is fully red, the fruit is an excellent source of the phytonutrient.