Watermelons are undoubtedly sweet and relatively healthy! But can you eat too much watermelon? It might be difficult figuring how much watermelon is too much, but this fruit is refreshing and keeps us hydrated.
Watermelon is also an excellent source of vitamins, potassium, and fiber. Eating large amounts of watermelon fruit without including other foods in your diet may cause bloating and gas buildup in some people.
This article will discuss whether you can eat too many watermelons, the best time to eat watermelons, whether you can get sick from eating too many watermelons, when not to eat watermelons, and so much more! Keep reading!
Can you eat too much watermelon?
Enjoying watermelon fruit in the summer is refreshing. But no matter how hydrated you want to be, you want to consume watermelons in moderation. And like the saying, too much of anything is poisonous, so is excess consumption of watermelon.
If you want to enjoy more of the fruit, then it is time to re-evaluate the decision. The recommended amount one should consume, according to nutritionists, is 100-150g a day.
What happens if you eat watermelon every day?
You will find watermelons all year round, and the best thing is that they are perfect additions to our meals. The fruit is packed with loads of nutrients makes it one of the healthiest fruits. So this is what you reap from eating watermelons every day.
i. You stay hydrated
Water keeps us hydrated, and you can substitute it with water-rich fruits and vegetables. Well, which another fruit contains high water content other than watermelon? Topped on that is its fiber content that ensures you don’t consume lots of calories.
ii. Reduced the risk of cancer
The lycopene present in watermelons has anti-cancer fighting properties. The lycopene reduces insulin growth factor (IGF) protein that aids in cell division. If the IGF gets high, then there are higher chances of developing cancer.
iii. Improved the health of your heart
Some of our lifestyle choices put hearts health at risk. However, some foods can help maintain their health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the system. Lycopene in watermelons helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
iv. Lower oxidative stress and inflammations
Inflammations mainly cause chronic diseases. Watermelons contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants that help fight any inflammations and oxidative stress.
v. Lower chances of macular degeneration
Lycopene prevents macular degeneration that is common in elder persons. This eye problem causes blindness.
vi. Free from muscle soreness
Watermelons contain citrulline that may reduce soreness in muscles. This amino acid is also associated with enhancing endurance during exercises.
vii. Healthy skin and hair
Vitamin A and C, both present in watermelon, help in maintaining healthy-looking skin and hair. Vitamin C makes collagen that gives supple skin and strengthening hair.
Vitamin A help in creating skin cells and repairing the damaged ones. The lycopene content is also responsible for protecting the skin from sunburns.
viii. Improved digestion
A healthy digestive system includes water and fiber, both of which are present in watermelons. The fiber keeps the digestive tract healthy, while water enhances regular bowel movements.
ix. Helps in weight management
Eating a watermelon every day as a snack in place of a processed snack helps maintain a healthy weight.
Is eating too much watermelon bad for you
Whereas watermelons improve our health, having too much of them can be harmful. You should consume the fruit moderately without exceeding. So what happens if you consume too much watermelon?
i. Troubles with the digestive system
Too much watermelon causes digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, gas, and flatulence. The fruit contains a sugar compound, sorbitol, that helps in loosening stool and gas issues. The lycopene pigment antioxidant also increases the chances of digestive problems.
ii. It puts the liver at risk of inflammations
Alcohol lovers should reduce their intake of watermelon as the lycopene reacts with alcohol, causing liver inflammations. The liver cannot take high levels of oxidative stress.
iii. It causes a spike in glucose levels
Diabetic persons should not consume too much watermelon. The fruit contains high levels of sugar that up the glucose levels in people with diabetes.
iv. Water intoxication
Water intoxication is simply overhydration. Watermelon contains 92% water content. As much as we agree that water is necessary for your diet, too much of it depletes the sodium content in the body, leading to swollen legs and weak kidneys.
v. Cardiovascular problems
Potassium plays many helpful roles in the body, like maintaining electrolyte function and maintaining healthy bones and muscles. However, excessive nutrient intake can have diverse effects like weakening the pulse rate and having irregular heartbeats.
Can you get sick from watermelon?
You can only get sick from eating watermelon in excess. Some problems that might come around are:
- Bloating
- High glucose levels
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Flatulence
Among other conditions you might suffer are cramps, temperature changes, and aching joints. When watermelons are consumed moderately, they help a lot in our health. So ensure that you consume moderately to benefit from its loads of health benefits.
Can you live off of watermelon?
The answer to this question is subjective. While it is true, you can live off of watermelon, that would be for a short period. The physical activities you engage in will also determine how long the fruit can sustain you.
To get an excellent picture of what to expect when consuming a watermelon only, let’s break down the nutrients in the fruit against the bodily requirements:
Insufficient calories
An average full-grown human being requires about 2000 calories a day. Given that 100g of watermelon contains about 30 calories. This means you’d have to consume about 7kg of watermelon every day to get 21oo calories. This is definitely too much watermelon to consume comfortably.
Insufficient proteins
Watermelons do not have significant amounts of proteins. In fact, a 4.5kg watermelon would contain only 28g of protein, half the recommended daily intake. Since proteins aren’t stored in the body, they must be part of the daily diet. 9 kg of watermelon is certainly not manageable for most people. In short, protein deficiency will set in really soon.
Low in vitamins
Watermelon is also low in some essential vitamins. For example, the water-soluble vitamin B-12 is very important in producing nucleic acids necessary for cell division, cell growth, and cell repair. Unfortunately, vitamin B-12, being water-soluble, is not stored in the body for significant periods and thus must be included in the daily diet. Without an additional source of vitamin B-12, it’s a matter of time before you develop ulcers, anemia, and neurological impairments to make it worse.
How long can you live off of watermelon?
You can live off of watermelon for between 2 – 8 weeks. This would be in survival situations where you have no other options. Otherwise, don’t do watermelons only as the resultant problems will not be worth the record-making!
Related:
When not to eat watermelon?
As beneficial as this fruit may be, there are situations in which you shouldn’t eat it. Here are some examples of when not to eat watermelon:
When the fruit has gone bad
Sometimes a watermelon may seem good to the eye, but once you much into it, your expectations are shuttered by a sour or fizzy taste. In such a case, just spit out the melon and throw the rest of it in the trash bin.
Watermelon will be safe to eat for five days on the counter. If stored in the fridge, you can eat it after 10 days. Cut watermelon should be consumed within a day if left on the counter. Store it in the refrigerator for not more than three days. Any longer, and the fruit will start fermenting, and developing harmful compounds, and harboring bacteria.
At night
Watermelons should not be consumed after dinner for several reasons. First, the fruit is packed with 92% water. One large slice, and you can be sure of at least two trips to the washroom at night. This is not the best thing you want to do at midnight!
Second, watermelons have a high amount of sugars, primarily natural sugars. While these sugars may be beneficial during the day when you are most active, they are likely to lead to weight gain if consumed at dinner, when you are just about to go to bed.
Finally, watermelons have a high acid content. Consuming them at night is a sure way of creating stomach upsets, especially now that you will not be paying attention to any other stimuli except the fill of your stomach.
Is it bad to eat watermelon at night?
Even though watermelons offer a lot of health benefits, there are times you should not eat them. Eating watermelons right before bed is not recommended. Experts warn that consuming this fruit at night might harm your health. So if you are wondering how then here is the truth:
Has high sugar content
Always remember that watermelons are packed with 6% sugars. The sugar might be natural but contributes to weight gain. Other than that, many fruits in today’s market are spiked with chemicals that add sweetness, which again is a risk to your health.
Interrupted sleep pattern
Watermelons contain a very high content of water. This is the perfect recipe for frequent bathroom visits that interrupt your sleep. An interrupted sleep pattern makes you wake tired and less productive during the day.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Eating watermelons at night might cause digestive irritability, making you wake up to an upset stomach the following day. This is because digestion slows down at night, a reason it is advised to keep away from sugary and acidic foods before going to bed.
Best time to eat watermelons
When you eat watermelon is very important as it might have a toll on your health. Eating watermelons after 7 pm, right before you hop into your bed, is not recommended. The digestibility rate is relatively slow, and you could end up with digestive issues upon waking up.
The best time to eat watermelon is when the rate of digestion is high. High digestibility occurs from 12:00-1:00 pm. Not only will you feel super hydrated after eating the watermelon, but you also enjoy it fully without worrying that it might affect your health.
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat watermelon seeds when pregnant?
Yes, watermelon seeds contain magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, selenium, and zinc minerals that are very good for a developing fetus. These minerals are also essential for the baby’s development throughout the pregnancy period.
What happens if you eat old watermelon?
An old watermelon is probably spoilt, maybe from being left to sit for too long. In the case of spoilt watermelons, there is the presence of bacteria, mold, and fungus that are harmful to your health. Such a watermelon causes food poisoning, and you will probably end up with digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
Does watermelon give you gas?
Watermelons might cause gas problems when consumed in excess. The fruit contains fructose sugar that is tough for our digestive system, as it doesn’t get absorbed fully. The result is gas buildup and stomach upsets.
Is slimy watermelon bad?
A slimy watermelon is a sure sign that your fruit has gone bad. It’s best to throw away the melon and avoid eating it. A shriveled or dry watermelon is also most probably going bad.
Is it okay to eat overripe watermelon?
An overripe watermelon should not cause you problems, but avoid eating it if it’s already squishy. If the fruit is non-squishy but ripe, then eat the fruit to your heart’s content.
Can you get food poisoning from watermelon?
Yes, watermelon is prone to contamination by the Listeria bacteria. Listeria bacteria can cause and spread to food, causing food poisoning, also known as Listeriosis, one of America’s most common causes of bacterial infection.
Watermelon may also be contaminated with salmonella during handling. For this, eating an unwashed watermelon can lead to food poisoning.
Is mushy watermelon safe to eat?
If you’ve found yourself with a mushy, squishy watermelon that has gone bad, then the answer is not to eat it. But if the watermelon has not gone bad but is mushy, you can still have it in a smoothie or a blended drink. This way, you will not have to bear with the mushy texture in your mouth.
Conclusion
So you now understand whether you can eat too much watermelon. The fruit, when consumed in moderation, benefits your health big time. However, too much of it brings about health issues. So no matter how much you love watermelons’ juiciness, eat or drink it in moderation!
