Posts Tagged “watermelon consumption”
National Watermelon Promotion Board recently partnered with Nutrition Impact LLC on a research project to “determine intake of watermelon and assess association with diet quality, energy and nutrient intake, and physiological parameters in children and adults,” according to a news release.
A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis, the study was recently published in Nutrients and found that total diet quality was higher in watermelon consumers as compared to nonconsumers.
The study suggests watermelon can increase nutrient intake as well as diet quality in both children and adults, which says the National Watermelon Promotion Board to plans to present additional details later this year at a nutrition research-focused conference, the release said.
The study further found that children and adult watermelon consumers had greater than 5% higher intake of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A, as well as more than 5% lower intake of added sugars and total saturated fatty acids. The study also showed that watermelon consumers had higher intake of lycopene and other carotenoids.
“Researching the nutritional benefits of watermelon is essential for the watermelon industry and consumers alike,” said Megan McKenna, NWPB 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 new study is one of several that has launched in recent years refining the NWPB Nutrition Research Program. Last year’s project concluded that “Scientific Literature Confirms Watermelon’s Health Potential.”
The NWPB says more research specific to watermelon’s health benefits is needed to support watermelon consumption and help to educate consumers. With that in mind, part of the board’s strategic plan is continued focus on watermelon’s nutrient research and health trends.
NWPB said it is looking to fund watermelon rind nutrient profiling in order to be included in the USDA FoodData Central database.
The NWPB was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the U.S. and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB’s mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.
by National Watermelon Promotion Board
Nearly 1,000 consumers voted for their favorite entry in this year’s Watermelon Carving Contest, hosted by National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB). The annual contest, which takes place every July to honor National Watermelon Month, encourages watermelon fans everywhere to create and carve watermelon works of art.
Each carving submitted in the contest could be viewed at an online gallery at watermelon.org. NWPB encouraged fans to vote for their favorite overall carving from one of five categories.
“The Pop Culture category, which was new for 2016, included entries of watermelons used as serving bowls, beverage kegs, a wedding cake, and even two different Prince portraits!” said Stephanie Barlow, NWPB Senior Director of Communications. “The submissions really highlighted watermelon’s uniqueness in its versatility.”
While several of the entries were submitted by professional fruit carvers, the Judge’s Choice Award and First Place Award in the Basket Category was given to a beginner carver, showing that creativity and ingenuity is just as important as technical skill. Staging and category fit were also carefully considered by judges of the contest.
In addition to Pop Culture and Basket, other categories for this year’s carving contest included Elegant, Etched and Event/Occasion. Two entrants were also honored for “Judge’s Choice” and “People’s Choice” carvings. Winners from the five different categories received more than $1,000 in Amazon gift cards. Additionally, four carvers were awarded “Honorable Mention” prizes, also Amazon gift cards.
View the complete list of entries, as well as the winning carvings at http://www.watermelon.org/TheSlice/2016-Watermelon-Carving-Contest-Winners. For more watermelon carving inspiration, tips and tricks, visit Watermelon Board’s Pinterest Board or the “Carvings” page on watermelon.org where new carvings are regularly added.
About National Watermelon Promotion Board
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 1,500 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.
Watermelon, the produce leader in lycopene, is a multivitamin unto itself, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamins A and C and a good source of Vitamin B6 with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 14.8 pounds in 2015. Watermelon volume in the United States was approximately 4.7 billion pounds in 2015. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.