Eliminates Toxins From Body
Since watermelon is mostly sweet water, drinking it has the same effect as water does on your body. You can drink watermelon juice to flush out toxins from your body.
Detoxifying your body can improve the function of your kidneys, kicking them into high gear and reducing uric acid and ammonia levels in your body, which prevent the formation of kidney stones.
You will receive all these health benefits if you introduce watermelon juice to your diet.
Before you consume any type of food no matter how healthy and beneficial it is common questions about it will naturally arise.
Other Fruits That Wont Raise Your Blood Sugar
Though you can certainly enjoy fresh watermelon from time to time, there are other fruits with a lower GI that you can eat a lot more of.
And who doesnt like a little extra? Apples, oranges, and plums are all low-GI fruits with lots of fiber and essential nutrients.
Feeling super glycemic adventurous? Try the lowest of the low grapefruits or cherries. Cherries have a GI of only 20, so you can eat more of them, more often, without spiking your numbers.
Bottom line
- All fruit is safe to eat if you have diabetes. Just be mindful of the glycemic index/glycemic load and how much fruit youre regularly consuming in one sitting.
- Pairing fruit with a protein or healthy fat to lower the effect on blood sugar is always a good idea.
Consuming Too Much Watermelon Is Said To Have Many Side
- Sarika Rana
- Summers are here and so is the need to fuel ourselves with cooling foods
- This delicious fruit has about 92 percentage water
- Consuming too much watermelon is said to have many side-effects
Consuming too much watermelon is said to have many side-effects. You heard us! Despite its marvellous benefits, eating watermelon in large quantity can actually cause harm to your body. Here are some side effects of eating watermelon in large quantity.
1. May Cause Diarrhoea And Other Digestive Problems
Watermelon is an excellent source of water and an equally great source of dietary fibre. However, consuming in large quantity may give rise to digestive problems like diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, gas, et al. The fruit contains sorbitol that is a sugar compound, which is known to encourage loose stools and gas issues. Another common cause of such issues is the lycopene content, which is a pigmented antioxidant that gives the watermelon its bright colour.
Watermelon is an excellent source of water and an equally great source of dietary fibre
2. May Up Glucose Levels
If you are a diabetic, chances are loading up on, too, much watermelon may increase blood sugar levels. It may be a healthy fruit, but it has high glycaemic index . Always ensure consulting a doctor before you consume it on a daily basis.
3. May Increase The Risk Of Developing Liver Inflammation
5. May Cause Cardiovascular Problems
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Where Does Watermelon Fall On The Glycemic Index
The glycemic index looks at how fast food sugar enters the blood stream. Each food item is given a value between 1 and 100. These values are determined according to how each food compares to a reference item. Sugar or white bread is generally used for reference.
Glycemic load is the combination of the GI and the actual carbohydrate content in a typical serving of food. Its argued that the GL gives a more real-world value of how a specific food can affect blood sugar levels.
People who are managing their diabetes by carbohydrate counting often use this approach. Foods with a low or medium GI are considered less likely to raise your blood sugar levels.
A GI of 55 or less is considered to be low. A GI between 55 and 69 is generally considered to be medium. Anything over 70 is considered to be high.
A GL under 10 is low, 10 to 19 is medium, and 19 and above is considered high.
Watermelon typically has a GI of 72 but a GL of 2 per 100 gram serving. The GL of watermelon is low, and it can be eaten in moderation like all fruit as part of a balanced meal.
Orange Or Yellow Watermelon
These lack lycopene and generally weigh between 5 and 18 pounds. They also tend to be sweeter than red watermelons.
You might even come across square or cubic watermelons. These watermelons dont naturally grow in a square shape rather, they are grown using a square-shaped mold. Why? Invented in Japan, square watermelons are more compact, take up less room on a refrigerator shelf, and wont roll off the counter. The downside of square watermelons is that they dont taste as sweet as their rounder siblings and they cost a pretty penny up to $100 per melon! Hardly economical for most people.
Watermelons are grown in more than 96 countries worldwide, and the United States ranks number seven in production. The majority of domestic watermelon crops are grown in Florida, Georgia, Texas and California, as these states have the right climate for a long, slow growing season.
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Is Watermelon Good For Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar or glucose levels. This occurs due to damaged beta cells in the pancreas, a gland located in the abdomen, that is responsible for secreting the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar concentrations. Once diabetes intensifies, it leads to many severe complications such as neuropathy, kidney failure and heart disease.Also Read:4 Types Of Diabetic Neuropathy: Prevention And Treatment
Consuming a small portion of fresh-cut watermelons or a glass of juice extracted from the fruit can benefit those with type 2 diabetes in many ways. Although watermelons have a high glycemic index of 72, they have a relatively lower glycemic load of 2 per 100-gram serving. In addition, it is also low in carbohydrates and calories, thereby not contributing to excess fat accumulating in body tissues. This aids in maintaining optimal body weight, which is crucial to improve the quality of life for those with diabetes.
Furthermore, watermelon seeds, which people normally tend to discard, can, in fact, be crushed, powdered and consumed by diabetics. They are a powerhouse of nutrients including proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, zinc and potassium. Various scientific studies have demonstrated the ability of these seeds to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance. However, they are high in calories, so be sure to take a measured spoonful of watermelon seed extracts.
Watermelon: Fruit Or Vegetable
It doesnt matter to a majority of people whether watermelon is a fruit or a veggie, their main focus is to dig in and have the benefit of fruit. But if anyone believes in facts, then he or she might be fascinated to find out that watermelon is both a fruit and a veggie.
The reason is: botanically, watermelon is a fruit, identical to pumpkins or tomatoes . Also, watermelon belongs to the plant family, Cucurbitaceae . And just like other veggies, they can be grown well in the gardens. So, yes, watermelon can be counted as a vegetable.
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May Raise Your Blood Sugar Levels
In addition to its high FODMAP content, watermelon has a high glycemic index . Therefore, overeating watermelon may raise your blood sugar levels, which you should be particularly mindful of if you have diabetes.
The GI of a food measures its effects on your blood sugar during a 2-hour period. High GI foods tend to spike your blood sugar levels, while low GI foods produce a steady rise (
9 ).
As such, the GL tends to be a more accurate measure of a foods effect on your blood sugar levels.
The GL index also classifies foods into low, medium, or high. A count of less than 10 is considered low, 1119 is medium, and over 20 is considered high .
With a GL of 56 per cup , watermelons are classified as a low GL food meaning that regardless of their high GI status, a small, 1-cup serving wont cause any harm =& serving_size__filter=& carbs_per_serve_=& carbs_per_serve__filter==& gl_filter=” rel=”nofollow”> 11).
However, overeating watermelon will increase its GL, most likely leading to a spike in your blood sugar levels.
Watching your blood sugar is especially important if you have diabetes .
Is Watermelon Juice High In Sugar
It is usually safe for people with type 2 diabetes to consume watermelon, drink the juice and gulp the seed extracts, remember in restricted proportions only. Its good to check with the concerned doctor or nutritionist, so as to learn about the ideal way about how one can add this juicy and tasty delight to a low-sugar diet. Also, this can depend upon the current status of blood glucose levels.
Summary
It is always recommended to have a well-balanced meal of a moderate portion of watermelons, either alone or in combination with other low glycemic index foods. This helps in keeping the blood sugar levels in check, for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes signs.
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It’s Linked To Good Heart Health
The juicy fruit is also a heart-smart snack. In a September 2017 meta-analysis of 14 studies, lycopene intake was associated with a 17 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke, per research published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Another study backed up those findings: In a September 2017 meta-analysis of 28 studies, people who had the highest blood levels of lycopene were observed to have a 26 percent lower risk of stroke, 14 percent lower risk of heart disease and, overall, a 37 percent lower risk of death from these diseases, per research in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
Lycopene is linked to preventing blood clots, making arteries more flexible so that blood can flow freely, and improving blood vessel function, among other heart-happy benefits, according to a May 2017 study in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.
What’s more, watermelon has been linked to lowering blood pressure thanks to the L-citrulline, the January 2017 study in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care found.
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Watermelon May Boost Exercise Performance
Just consider watermelon a natural sports drink. In addition to containing electrolytes potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for proper hydration and muscle function, watermelon also offers L-citrulline.
Consuming this amino acid regularly has been shown to increase the production of nitric oxide, which can boost blood flow and thus ferry more blood to muscles during endurance workouts, according to a January 2017 study in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care.
Before a long run, try snacking on watermelon chunks or sip on watermelon juice to hydrate pre-workout.
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What Happens If You Drink It Every Day
You could lose weight and lower both your body mass index and blood pressure by drinking watermelon juice every day, specifically the blended, unsieved choice. Studies have proven that these significant changes result within four weeks of eating watermelon, including an increase in antioxidant capacity.
More On Eating Watermelon With Diabetes
- Watermelon is a fruit that is merely allowed in a diabetic diet in very limited amounts, not expressly recommended for consumption. Watermelon does not treat or cure diabetes. Instead, it has the potential to worsen it if intakes are unreasonable.
- Not all diabetics can eat watermelon. Technically, anyone can eat watermelon if intakes are small enough. But there are instances when even small amounts produce side effects in which case you can say that not everyone can eat watermelon, as in eat it and feel well. Despite its good nutritional value and generally great benefits for health, watermelon may be poorly tolerated in a diabetic diet. What this means is that while some diabetics may be able to eat limited amounts and feel good, others may not be able to eat it at all without experiencing some range of side effects.
- There is no way to tell for sure how eating watermelon will impact you individually. Effects may vary depending on how much watermelon you have at once and how frequently you have it, how well managed your condition is , what you eat besides watermelon and what you eat it with. Your individual nutritional requirements also matter, for example, your maximum daily recommended intake of carbohydrates and sugar.
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Ways To Consume Watermelon For Diabetics
Typically considered as a summer treat, watermelon is consumed throughout the world in many forms. The most common methods are to have them simply as diced slices or in juices, smoothies, shakes, etc.
The rind of the fruit is hard and tasteless, but it can be made edible by cooking. Even the seeds of watermelon are highly recommended for their health benefits and are enjoyed immensely as garnishes or in breakfast cereals.
Adding foods rich in proteins and minerals helps to slow down sugar metabolism and helps maintain optimum blood sugar levels.
Sneaky Foods That Raise Your Blood Sugar Levels The Most
- NDTV Food Desk
- Your blood sugar may rise after having coffee due to caffeine
- Dry fruits contain sugar in more concentrated forms
- White bread and even white rice contains simple carbohydrates
1. Coffee:Your blood sugar may rise after a cup of coffee due to the presence of caffeine2. Dry Fruits: 3. White Bread:4. Red Meat:5. Milk:Milk and other dairy products can definitely contribute to your blood sugar levels6. Bananas:
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Vitamins Minerals And Other Micronutrients In Watermelon
- VitaminC: 14% of your Daily Value
- One cup of watermelon contains other vitamins, including vitamin A , potassium , magnesium , calcium , iron , copper , manganese and zinc .
When you’re eating watermelon in the comfort of your own kitchen, it’s easy to slice and measure out watermelon to a one-cup serving. That said, you may also enjoy eating watermelon slices, mini watermelons or personal sized-watermelons, and you might not be able to measure them by a one-cup serving.
Here’s a bit more nutritional information about these types of watermelon.
One watermelon wedge or slice which is about 1/16th of a regular-sized watermelon, or 286 grams contains 86 calories, 0.4 g fat, 22 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g sugar.
Is the Sugar in Watermelon Bad for You?
You might notice that watermelon is higher in sugar but that sugar is naturally occurring. As a dietitian, I encourage my clients to not fear the sugar in fruit,”Mia Syn, RDN, tells LIVESTRONG.com. “While we should limit added sugar, is a natural source that also provides a slew of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, she says.
Watermelon Effect On Diabetes
Does watermelon cause diabetes? The answer is no. Consumption of watermelon greatly helps in lowering down the risk for certain diabetes-associated complications. The fruit consists of moderate amounts of lycopene, a pigment offering watermelon its rich color. It is a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene also helps in decreasing the risk of certain cardiovascular disorders. Studies suggested that lycopene present in tomatoes is also directly related to a decreased risk for heart problems. About 68% of diabetics with age 65 years or older die from some kind of heart problem, and about 16% of these people die of stroke.
Diabetes is an ailment characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. This can happen when the beta cells in the pancreas get damaged. These are responsible for the secretion of the hormone insulin, which helps control the blood glucose concentrations. On intensification of these blood sugar levels, many serious complications like eye damage, kidney failure, neuropathy, or heart problems can occur.
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Can People With Diabetes Eat Watermelon
Whether people with diabetes can eat watermelon is a question that requires scientific data to give an answer, but this question can trigger a wide range of discussions. The main reason is that people with diabetes combine sugar with the sweetness of watermelon . They think that the sugar in watermelon is very large. After the stomach, it will cause blood sugar to rise. I have to admit that it is true. Therefore, when meeting watermelon, people with diabetes will try their best to restrain themselves from not being able to eat . This is simply a torture for people in summer. Maybe diabetes People can eat watermelon, but we need to find the right way so that blood sugar will not be abnormal.
Watermelons sold in the market generally contain 5.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams of watermelon, and every bite of watermelon we eat will feel very sweet , because there are more sugars in the pulp, which is The natural fructose contained in the fruit, and this fructose component is relatively large, so when we eat watermelon, we will feel that the pulp and juice are very sweet and delicious.
Other Health Benefits Of Watermelon
Heart:
Watermelon is very rich in antioxidants like lycopene and a non-essential amino acid called citrulline, both of which cause a decrease in blood pressure and help to maintain overall heart health.
Eyes, Hair and Skin:
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, skin and hair. Since watermelon contains high quantities of vitamin A, its consumption leads to better eyesight, hair, and skin.
Alzheimers Disease:
The high concentration of antioxidants and minerals found in watermelon has been shown to help manage many neurological disorders, including Alzheimers disease.
Reducing Diabetes-related Complications:
Regular consumption of watermelon has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetic complications like heart conditions, kidney and eye problems.
Weight Management:
Watermelons have high water content and are also high in natural fiber content. Having watermelon can keep you hydrated and feeling fuller for longer hence it helps with weight management.
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