Nutritionist: 150-200 grams is the safest daily watermelon portion
Estonian nutritionist Svetlana Zenyova explains the optimal watermelon portion for health and the best way to eat it, recommending seasonally ripened fruit.
August and September bring an abundance of southern fruits, including watermelons, to markets and shops. Nutritionist Svetlana Zenyova discussed their health benefits and who should be cautious with them on the program "Летний горизонт".
According to Zenyova, all fruits are beneficial since they are rich in minerals and vitamins, though the watermelon season in Estonia is relatively short. She emphasized that the shorter the journey from producer to plate, the better. She personally follows a principle of natural seasonality, avoiding watermelons in early June and instead buying them from late July through August and September, when the fruit has fully ripened.
Recommended portion
Zenyova says the most appropriate and safe portion of watermelon is 150-200 grams, or about 2-3 slices. Watermelon is about 90% water and also contains lycopene, a substance whose concentration rises with the fruit's redness. In simple terms, lycopene helps counter cellular aging.
The specialist recommends eating watermelon separately from other meals and pairing it with protein and fats, such as yogurt or nuts.
Advice on melons too
The nutritionist also advised on choosing melons, suggesting brighter, more orange ones, as they contain more beta-carotene — a precursor of vitamin A that supports eye, skin and gut health.
