{
  "id": 188368,
  "title": "A new reason to use the whole watermelon: USDA adds official nutrition profile for watermelon rind",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/a-new-reason-to-use-the-whole-watermelon-usda-adds-official-nutrition",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-05T19:19:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-watermelon-usda-nutrition-profile-rind.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For the first time, the USDA has assigned an official nutrition profile to watermelon rind, the often overlooked outer layer of the fruit. This new listing in USDA FoodData Central gives dietitians, researchers and food professionals standardized data on the rind, which has long been underutilized. A 1/3-cup (50 grams) serving of diced raw watermelon rind contains just 10 calories, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 140 milligrams of potassium and 4 milligrams of vitamin C. While the rind isn't meant to replace the nutrient-rich flesh, the new data show how it can complement the watermelon's nutritional value and encourage greater use of the whole fruit. Registered dietitians can now incorporate watermelon rind into recipes and nutrition guidance with confidence. The USDA notes that using the rind can help reduce food waste while making the most of every watermelon.",
  "summary": "Watermelon's rind is finally getting some respect. The fruit's outer layer now has an official nutrition profile in USDA FoodData Central, giving registered dietitians, researchers, recipe developers and other food professionals access to standardized nutrition data for a part that's long been underused. The new listing makes it easier to evaluate watermelon rind in recipes, nutrition education…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}