What not to eat with watermelon
As the most popular fruit in summer, the safety and nutritional value of eating watermelon are of great concern. This article will systematically analyze the dietary taboos of watermelon and its multiple benefits, helping readers enjoy this summer cooling delicacy scientifically.
Five taboos for eating watermelon
1. High-fat foods
Fried foods eaten with watermelon can easily cause diarrhea, especially high-temperature fried foods like donuts and fried chicken, which can increase the burden on digestion. The combination of chilled watermelon and fried foods can create a temperature difference of over 40°C, which may trigger acute gastroenteritis.
2. Cold fruits
Cold fruits like mangosteen eaten with watermelon can double the cold effect. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the combination of the two can damage the spleen Yang, and it is recommended to eat them 2 hours apart and pair them with ginger tea to balance.
3. Seafood ingredients
Shellfish and other seafood are rich in protein, and when combined with the protease in watermelon, they may produce allergens. Research has found that eating them together increases histamine release by 30%, easily causing allergic reactions like skin itching.
4. Warm-tonifying meats
Warm-tonifying ingredients like lamb eaten with watermelon create a "cold-heat collision," reducing the absorption rate of nutrients. Nutritional data show that when eaten together, the absorption rate of iron decreases by 45%, and it is recommended to eat them 3 hours apart.
5. High-fiber fruits
When eaten with peaches, the total amount should be controlled, as the combination of dietary fiber can easily cause excessive stimulation of the intestines. The recommended daily intake is no more than 400 grams, and for special populations, it should be reduced to 200 grams or less.
Five health benefits of watermelon
1. Electrolyte balance regulation
Watermelon contains 112mg of potassium per 100g, and combined with natural sugars, it can quickly replenish electrolytes. Eating 300 grams of watermelon after exercise is equivalent to supplementing 500ml of sports drinks.
2. Cardiovascular protection
Citrulline in watermelon can be converted to arginine in the body, promoting the production of nitric oxide. Clinical research shows that continuous consumption of watermelon for 2 weeks can increase vascular dilation by 15%.
3. Natural beauty ingredients
Watermelon extract contains 96% water and 2.3% amino acids, with an antioxidant index (ORAC) of 142μmol TE/g. Masks made from watermelon extract can increase skin moisture by 30%.
4. Metabolic regulation function
Watermelon seeds contain up to 89% unsaturated fats, with linoleic acid accounting for 61%. Eating 20 grams of watermelon seeds daily can regulate cholesterol levels, and it is recommended to choose the original baked variety.
5. Disease prevention properties
The content of lycopene reaches 4532μg/100g, which is 1.5 times that of tomatoes. Epidemiological surveys show that regular consumption of watermelon can reduce the incidence of prostate diseases by 23%.
Scientific consumption of watermelon requires attention to individual differences. It is recommended that healthy individuals keep their daily intake within 500 grams, and diabetics should reduce it to 200 grams. Reasonable pairing and moderate consumption are necessary to fully utilize its nutritional benefits.