Most people eat only the juicy flesh inside of the watermelon. However, watermelon rind is completely edible. Furthermore, watermelon rind is very healthy for your body in many ways. In fact, 95 percent of the food value of a watermelon is in the rind!

What’s in Watermelon Rind?

Watermelon rind, much like the flesh of a watermelon, is mostly made of water. Because of this, it may help the kidneys process waste more efficiently. Adequate hydration lowers blood pressure as well. Watermelon rind is also chock-full of vitamins C, B6, and A, and you can get a good amount of Zinc and Potassium from eating this part of the fruit. The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture even states that the citrulline in watermelon rind can fight free radical damage, and it can boost the immune system. All of these vitamins and minerals can be found in just one serving of rind totaling 50 calories.

Benefits of Consuming Watermelon Rind

Citrulline can also aid in weight loss, and the fiber found in the watermelon rind can help you feel fuller for longer. Studies have shown that people who consume natural citrulline lose 30 percent more weight than those who do not. The lycopene in watermelon rind may also be able to reduce the inflammation responsible for arthritis pain, and the folate in the rind may also lessen the risk of heart attack and colon cancer. Because watermelon is a god source of beta-carotene, it benefits eye health as well.

One surprising advantage to eating every part of the watermelon concerns physical closeness with your partner. Scientists from Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center have noted that the citrulline in watermelon rinds can relax the blood vessels responsible for successful closeness between partners.