I know, I know, the other 10%. But if it’s just that 10%, does that mean they are less nutritious than other fruits?
In: Biology
Most fruits have a very high water content. Watermelon has more, but it’s only by a few percent. Most foods actually have a significant water content, even things you wouldn’t expect like meat and bread. This isn’t very important to getting things like vitamins and minerals, as we only need a tiny amount of those. The main impact of water in food is that it fills you up. If you’re trying to consume fewer calories, this can work in your advantage, but if you’re undernourished, it works against you.
Most fruits and vegetables have a lot of water. Watermelon is not even on top of the list. You find things like salad, cucumber and tomato higher on the list then watermelon. The reason watermelon gets its name is not because it contains more water then other fruits but because that water seeps out in large quantities when they are cut. Other fruits are able to hold on more of the water when you cut them as they have smaller cells and act more as a sponge. However just as a sponge when you squeeze them the water will flow out just like the water in a watermelon.
1 serving of watermelon is about 280g. 1 serving of apple is about 180g. both have about the same amount of calories. so by weight, then yes, watermelon has less nutrients than an apple. but the ratio of the nutrients to what you consume are similar for a watermelon and an apple.
ie one bite of an apple has roughly the same breakdown of water, sugars, proteins, fat, etc.
and btw an apple is 85-90% water as well. just more densely packed.
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