Eating More Watermelon May Help Prevent Heart Disease

Research shows that watermelon may help improve heart health and lower your risk of heart disease. It also shows that this fruit may aid in overall nutrient intake for both adults and children. Individuals who consume more watermelon may have a greater intake of essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.

Nothing says summertime like biting into a cold, juicy slice of watermelon — and turns out it’s actually really good for you. Earlier research found the summer staple may help increase your overall nutrient intake and diet quality. This suggests that watermelon can increase nutrient intake and diet quality in both children and adults, the study authors say. Research from 2025 also found that watermelon may have cardioprotective health effects. This aligns with 2022 research showing that watermelon may help lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health. “Watermelon is a great addition to an overall healthy dietary eating pattern because it provides potassium, lycopene, and citrulline, which synergistically can help support blood pressure and blood flow,” said Michelle Routhenstein , preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished. Routhenstein wasn’t involved in any of the studies. The 2025 narrative review noted that watermelon is high in the amino acid L-citrulline . L-citrulline may help lower blood pressure and aid in heart health. While the review notes that the exact cardiovascular benefits of L-citrulline are not fully clear, the authors state that it appears consuming watermelon may aid in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease . “Watermelon’s impact on blood vessel health appears to be beneficial to overall cardiovascular health. This may be based on compounds that impact nitric oxide production, impacting overall blood vessel health,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick , president of KAK, Consulting, LLC, and a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key points

• Nothing says summertime like biting into a cold, juicy slice of watermelon — and turns out it’s actually really good for you.
• Earlier research found the summer staple may help increase your overall nutrient intake and diet quality.
• This suggests that watermelon can increase nutrient intake and diet quality in both children and adults, the study authors say.
• Research from 2025 also found that watermelon may have cardioprotective health effects.
• This aligns with 2022 research showing that watermelon may help lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health.