WINTER SPRINGS, FL - Watermelon is already a quintessential warm-weather fruit, but the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) looked to take its popularity one step further with the help of Nutrition Impact. Together, they arranged a study, which was recently published in Nutrients, that found total diet quality was higher in watermelon consumers compared to non-consumers.

"Researching the nutritional benefits of watermelon is essential for the watermelon industry and consumers alike,” said Megan McKenna, Senior Director of Marketing and Foodservice. “By understanding the nutritional value of watermelon, we can ensure we are supporting the industry by effectively communicating those benefits while also helping consumers make informed decisions about their health and nutrition."

The research project done by Nutrition Impact sought to determine the intake of watermelon and assess its association with diet quality, energy and nutrient intake, and physiological parameters in children and adults, according to a release.

In addition to uncovering the correlation between diet quality and watermelon consumption, the study also found that children and adult watermelon consumers had greater than 5 percent higher intake of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A. It also found that they had a 5 percent lower intake of added sugars and total saturated fatty acids and a higher intake of lycopene and other carotenoids.

Overall, the study suggests that watermelon can increase nutrient intake as well as diet quality in both children and adult Americans.

For retailers, this study can be beneficial in promoting the category in-store as a way for shoppers to make healthy eating decisions, potentially advertising watermelon as an alternative to sugary snacks and desserts.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more category updates.

National Watermelon Promotion Board