What happens when you eat too much watermelon?

Watermelons are the most refreshing fruit to gorge on in the hot months making it a summer staple in all homes. The fruit is loaded with vitamin A and C, it is about 92 per cent water and still low on calories. The sweet fruit tastes great alone or it can be used in juices, salads and even to make sorbets.

However, too much of anything can quickly lead to negative after-effects. If you love eating lots of watermelon in summer, you might want to re-evaluate your consumption.

Let’s take a look at the adverse effects of eating too much watermelon.

STOMACH TROUBLES

Watermelon is rich in lycopene, but if you’re eating a lot of it every day, you could potentially become a victim of nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion and bloating, according to the American Cancer Society.

CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS

People with high potassium content in their body or those who suffer from serious hyperkalaemia should not eat more than about one cup of watermelon a day. Over consumption can result in irregular heartbeat and other cardiovascular problems, says the US National Institute of Health.

WATER INTOXICATION

While hydration is important for the body, overeating watermelon may cause water intoxication. Also known as over hydration, this condition can deplete the body’s sodium content and cause swelling in the legs, exhaustion and weak kidneys in extreme cases.

So how much watermelon can you eat in a day? According to health experts and nutritionists, you can eat anywhere between 100 to 150 grams of this fruit in a day.

Also Read | Bolster your immunity with the wonders of watermelon