What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Watermelon Juice Regularly

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Watermelon Juice Regularly

Key Takeaways

  • Watermelon juice keeps you hydrated because it is more than 90% water.  
  • Drinking watermelon juice may help control blood pressure due to its L-citrulline content. 
  • The juice also provides electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium.

You can enhance your hydration and replenish essential electrolytes with regular watermelon juice consumption, a delicious way to support fluid balance and exercise performance. Its natural L-citrulline content can also contribute to lowering blood pressure, supporting overall cardiovascular health.

Watermelon juice can help keep you hydrated, and may offer other health benefits.

Koki Iino / Getty Images


1. Provides Hydration

Watermelon boosts your water intake as it’s over 90% water. Whether you’re eating watermelon or drinking its juice, it enhances your hydration.

“One cup of diced watermelon contains 139 milliliters of water,” Alexandra Rosenstock, RD, CDN, registered dietitian at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, told Verywell.

This makes it a refreshing choice after spending time in the sun.

“Given its water content, watermelon can help replenish fluids if you are feeling mildly dehydrated after spending time in the sun, particularly if consumed with a salty snack,” Rosenstock said.

2. Includes Electrolytes

Watermelon juice is an excellent source of electrolytes, including magnesium and potassium.

“Electrolytes are lost in sweat, therefore when exercising or sweating in the heat, replenishing electrolytes is helpful,” Julia Zumpano, RDN, LD, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute of Nutrition, told Verywell.

Electrolytes are essential and play a role in many bodily processes. Magnesium helps your muscles and brain function normally, and potassium, which is found in all body tissues, helps your cells function normally.

3. Boosts Essential Nutrients

Watermelon juice contains many daily essential nutrients that contribute to a well-rounded diet.

“Watermelon juice contains vitamin A, vitamin C, lutein, folate,” and more, Rosenstock said.

4. May Help Lower Blood Pressure

L-citrulline, an amino acid, is also found in watermelon juice.

“Watermelon contains citrulline, which has been shown to aid in blood pressure control,” Zumpano said. L-citrulline is also linked to increased nitric oxide availability, research suggests.

When bioavailability of nitric oxide is diminished, you may be at higher risk for high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

5. May Have Other Heart Health Benefits

Another amino acid called L-arginine can also be found in watermelon juice.

“L-arginine has been associated with certain health benefits, including improving blood flow and possibly reducing blood pressure,” Rosenstock said.

Research has shown that L-arginine can be beneficial to people with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, heart disease, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

Watermelon juice contains antioxidants like lycopene, beta carotene, and vitamin C.

Antioxidants promote cardiovascular health, and they can prevent or slow down some types of cell damage.

“Lycopene has been shown to help improve blood lipids and blood pressure,” Zumpano added.

6. Can Help With Weight Loss

Eating watermelon has been linked to higher diet quality (in both adults and children). Plus, watermelon juice may be helpful for sore muscles, and research suggests watermelon might also help some people manage their weight.

Another perk is that you can consume the whole thing: After you’ve sipped on the juice and eaten the fruit, the rind can be stewed, stir-fried, or pickled, and the seeds are also edible.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Maggie O'Neill

By Maggie O’Neill

O’Neill is a reporter who covers new medical research and addiction. She previously worked at SELF magazine and Health.com, and she was a 2020 fellow at the Association of Health Care Journalists.