The Reasons Watermelon Juice Should Be Your Go-To Summer Drink

Nothing says summer quite like biting into a freshly sliced ripe watermelon. Served at family barbecues, packed in picnic baskets, and sold at the local farmers market, there are few excuses not to enjoy the seasonal red fruit this summer. After all, is there any fruit more delicious and refreshing on a hot day?

The problem is the mess; juice dripping down your chin, spitting out seeds and a heavy rind to dispose of. But there is a much easier, neater and just as refreshing way to enjoy watermelon. Turn it into a thirst-quenching glass of juice!

As its name implies, watermelon is made up of 92% water, according to National Watermelon Promotion Board, making it perfect for a refreshing beverage to stay hydrated on a hot day. Maybe that's why in recent years turning ripe watermelon into juice has become so popular. From watermelon lemonade to margaritas, you have many options to add a new watermelon twist on your get-togethers and meals this summer.

Besides being a satisfying and inexpensive drink to make, juiced watermelon also contains nutrients and has numerous other health benefits.

It's the lycopene, an antioxidant, that gives watermelon its red color, according to WebMD. Antioxidants are molecules that cleanse your body of free radicals, which are linked to illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer (per Healthline). While tomatoes are known for their lycopene content, watermelon actually contains 60% more than its fellow fruit, cites Super Foodly.

Watermelon can also help protect your skin. During the summer months, skin gets exposed to many hazards, but watermelon can help offset those dangers. With high levels of Vitamins A, B6, and C, drinking watermelon juice can help keep skin soft and hydrated, according to WebMD. The red melon is also good for digestive health. The National Watermelon Promotion Board states that the combination of fiber and water in the melon is beneficial to making sure your digestive tract continues to function properly. WebMD states that watermelon's soft and fleshy fruit is easy on gut inflammation, including inflammation associated with certain chronic illnesses.

Adding to the appeal of watermelon is that it is also low in calories. Two-thirds of a cup of raw watermelon contains has about 30 calories, per Healthline.

So, let's raise a glass of cold watermelon juice to hot summer days!