We all know the drill: buy a watermelon, eat a slice or two, pop it in the fridge for later. Seems normal, right? But hold up!
Storing your watermelon in the refrigerator might actually be zapping away some of its nutritional goodness. Curious about the reason? Read on!
That vitamin C you love in watermelon? It could be dwindling away during extended cold storage. And let's not forget about that juicy sweetness – it might not be the same after a fridge stint.
Here's the scoop: researchers found that watermelons kept at room temperature pack more of a nutritional punch.
A study from the USDA's South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, showed that watermelons stored at room temp (about 70°F or 21°C) had higher nutrient levels than those chilled in the fridge or even freshly harvested ones.
The scientists tested various watermelon varieties for 14 days at different temperatures: 70°F, 55°F, and 41°F.
What they discovered was pretty cool. Room-temperature melons kept producing certain nutrients even after being picked. Meanwhile, the chilled ones? Their nutrient production slowed down or stopped altogether.
So, what's the takeaway? We recommend keeping your watermelon at room temperature to get the most bang for your nutritional buck.
