Summers are here and so is the need to fuel ourselves with loads of cooling foods; and the best way to do this is by having one of the most hydrating and cooling foods of the season – watermelon. This delicious fruit has about 92 percentage water and belongs to the cucurbitaceous family, which has other members like pumpkin, squash and cucumber among others. Watermelon is unique as it is considered both a fruit and a vegetable. It not just tastes wonderful, but also has numerous health and beauty benefits to offer. It is fat free and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C, contains potassium and beneficial plant chemicals like lycopene and citrulline. Fineness lovers, are you listening? The fibre content in watermelon makes it an amazing fruit for weight loss. This red fleshed fruit is known for all the good things, but what goes wrong with consuming it in large amounts?
Consuming too much watermelon is said to have many side-effects. You heard us! Despite its marvellous benefits, eating watermelon in large quantity can actually cause harm to your body. Here are some side effects of eating watermelon in large quantity.
1. May Cause Diarrhoea And Other Digestive Problems
Watermelon is an excellent source of water and an equally great source of dietary fibre. However, consuming in large quantity may give rise to digestive problems like diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, gas, et al. The fruit contains sorbitol that is a sugar compound, which is known to encourage loose stools and gas issues. Another common cause of such issues is the lycopene content, which is a pigmented antioxidant that gives the watermelon its bright colour.
Watermelon is an excellent source of water and an equally great source of dietary fibre
2. May Up Glucose Levels
If you are a diabetic, chances are loading up on, too, much watermelon may increase blood sugar levels. It may be a healthy fruit, but it has high glycaemic index (72). Always ensure consulting a doctor before you consume it on a daily basis.
3. May Increase The Risk Of Developing Liver Inflammation
People who drink alcohol regularly should avoid having large quantities of watermelon as the high level of lycopene may react with alcohol, further causing liver inflammation. Excessive oxidative stress on the liver can be harmful.
People who drink alcohol regularly should avoid having large quantities of watermelon
4. May Cause Over-Hydration Or Water Intoxication
Water intoxication or over-hydration is a condition when your body has excess of water in it, which leads to loss of sodium content. Consuming large quantity of watermelon may increase the level of water in our body. If the excess water is not excreted, it can lead to an increase in the volume of the blood, further causing swelling in the legs, exhaustion, weak kidneys, et al. It may also lead to loss of sodium levels in the body.
5. May Cause Cardiovascular Problems
Watermelon is known to be a great source of potassium that is a vital nutrient playing numerous roles in keeping the body healthy. It helps maintain electrolyte function, keeps our heart healthy and makes our bones and muscles stronger. However, too much of potassium can lead to cardiovascular problems like irregular heartbeat, weak pulse rate, et al.
Watermelon is known to be a great source of potassium that is a vital nutrient
How Much Watermelon Should You Eat In A Day?
According to Nutritionist and Physiologist Ritesh Bawri, “100 grams of watermelon has about 30 calories. Given that it is mostly water, it is easy to consume even 500 grams, which means you just ate 150 Calories. Considering it is light on stomach, you may not feel full, which is why you tend to eat more. Also, it has six grams of sugar per 100 grams, so the same portion of watermelon would end up having 30 grams of sugar. Ideally, most people should eat between 100 to 150 grams of sugar per day from all their food combined. The sugar from watermelon is racking up your count.”
Eating watermelon is not bad, but excess of anything can be unhealthy, even it is as healthy a watermelon. Moderate amounts of the fruit will ensure a healthy and hydrated you.
[“source=food.ndtv”]
