July 27, 2023 - Olivia Johnson, the current National Watermelon Queen, was the special speaker at the July Lunch and Learn event on July 26, 2023 at the AgriLife Extension Office. The Lunch and Learn is hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and the sponsor for July’s event was Wiggins Farms, a family owned farming company which specializes in the growing of watermelons along with a few other row crops.
Olivia shared about the health benefits of watermelon including not just hydration but also vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. It is nutrient dense with two cups of watermelon having 80 calories, no fat, vitamins A (8%), B (8%), and C (25%), potassium (6%), thiamin (8%), phosphorus (2%). Watermelon seeds that are sprouted, shelled, and dried have 10 grams of protein in one ounce.
Watermelon is 92% water which makes it a delicious way to hydrate. It is a leader in lycopene containing higher levels than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is responsible for the red to pink colors seen in food that provides UV protection and improves heart health. It is the perfect way to refresh and replenish after a workout because it also aids in curing muscle soreness.
Johnson also spoke about her time as the National Watermelon Queen and the journey it has taken her on all over the United States and into Canada. She promotes the nutritional benefits and economical values of watermelon anywhere watermelon is featured.
For more information about watermelon including recipes, visit watermelon.org. For more information about the National Watermelon Association, visit watermelon.ag.
