Gastroenterologist Evgenia Melnikova: in some cases, watermelon can be a source of harm to the body.
Doctor Melnikova noted in a conversation with Gazeta.Ru that watermelon, which has a lot of useful qualities, can also exhibit harmful properties. In particular, a portion of watermelon more than 200 grams (per day) can negatively affect the well-being of people with a high potassium content in the blood – they can develop cardiac arrhythmia.
In addition, its consumption can increase the load on the liver.
“Watermelon is a source of fructose, which puts a lot of strain on the liver. After all, it is the liver that processes this fast carbohydrate. Therefore, be careful when eating sweet berries if you have diseases of the organ,” the doctor advised.
Melnikova drew attention to the fact that watermelon also contains a lot of glucose, which is quickly absorbed by the body. As a result, there is a rapid increase in sugar in the human blood, which entails an increased release of insulin. Such a change in the state of the body is fraught with the activation of fat deposition, which is especially dangerous with existing excess body weight, prediabetes and diabetes.
The doctor added that when eating watermelon, there is a risk of ingesting fertilizers used to feed melons during their growth.
“In order for the fruit to quickly gain weight and ripen, it is fed mainly with nitrogen fertilizers – nitrates, which are low-toxic in themselves. But when they enter the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, they are converted into harmful nitrites, which disrupt the transport function of the blood, which can subsequently lead to hypoxia and lack of oxygen in the tissues,” the expert warned.
Earlier, the MedikForum.ru portal wrote about whether it is possible to eat watermelon with bread.
Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and do not self-medicate under any circumstances. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.
Evgeniya Melnikova Healthy lifestyle gastroenterologist