Tomorrow is National Watermelon Day! This sweet and refreshing fruit is a summertime staple – for good reason. From helping to keep you hydrated to boosting your immunity, watermelon offers an abundance of health benefits.

Here are just a few:

• Watermelon is a low-calorie treat. At just 46 calories per cup, watermelon allows you to satisfy a craving for sweets without overdoing it.

• Watermelon is a great source of hydration. It’s 92% water! A one-cup serving of watermelon contains more than a half cup of water.

• The antioxidants in watermelon may help slow down damage to your cells caused by oxidation. As a result, as part of a healthy diet, watermelon may reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

• The vitamin C in watermelon supports a healthy immune system and is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in your body.

• Watermelon is a good source of potassium, which is important for maintaining normal blood pressure, transporting nutrients into cells and supporting healthy nerve and muscle function.

Watermelon is a fun, seasonal food with nutritional benefits for your overall health. Beware of fads like the watermelon diet, however. Unless ordered by a doctor, your diet should never be limited to one type of food for any length of time.

You can usually find watermelon in the grocery store year-round, but it’s in season in Ohio in late summer and early fall. To determine whether a watermelon is ripe, the Ohio Farm Bureau recommends examining the spot where the melon rested on the ground. A yellow-white spot indicates ripeness, while a white or pale green suggests immaturity.

Looking for new ways to serve watermelon? Here are healthy watermelon recipes from EatingWell.