moreno0101 (flickr)

There’s nothing more satisfying on a hot summer day than a big, fat, juicy, COLD watermelon. Bury your face in that puppy and let the dehydration melt away.

But to get the most out of your melon, you’ll want to keep it on the counter instead of in the fridge.

Watermelon is packed with lycopene (the substance that gives it its pretty color). Lycopene may help prevent sunburn and several types of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer.

It turns out that cooling your watermelon down isn’t such a hot idea. A 2006 study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry showed that watermelons stored at room temperature gained 11-40% in lycopene and 50-139% in beta-carotene. Refrigerating watermelon, however, doesn’t allow for these beneficial changes to take place.

If you can’t eat it all in one sitting, you’ll need to refrigerate the leftovers.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is for educational and/or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health or that of a family member, you should always consult with a healthcare professional.