Does eating watermelon cause negative health effects?

Answer:

Watermelon helps cool the body, quench thirst, as well as treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Because of that, eating watermelon in the summer brings many health benefits. Children, the elderly, and people who have immunodeficiency can all consume the fruit.

Watermelon helps cool the body, quench thirst, as well as treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Photo illustration by Pexels

The main component of watermelon is water, minerals, and vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium. These help boost the immune system and maintain body hydration.

Claims about eating the fruit can result in increases in body temperature and canker sores are not true. In fact, traditional oriental medicine considers watermelon a useful ingredient in heat exhaustion and heat stroke treatments.

There is one thing to keep in mind while consuming the fruit, however. You should not eat too much watermelon at once, especially if suffering from digestive disorders, diarrhea, or kidney problems.

Unconsumed watermelon should be covered in cling film or put in boxes and stored in cold temperatures to not be contaminated and preserve its freshness.

Dr. Bui Dac Sang

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology