Some people may experience diarrhea after eating watermelon, which makes them wonder: does watermelon cause diarrhea? You will find the answer and more in this article.
Watermelon is characterized by containing many vitamins and minerals in addition to antioxidants, but does watermelon cause diarrhea? Continue reading this article to find out the answer and other important information:
Does watermelon cause diarrhea?
To answer in short, yes, diarrhea is a common side effect that occurs when eating watermelon in large quantities, as this may lead to the occurrence of many digestive problems, such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
As for the causes of diarrhea after eating watermelon in large quantities, they are due to the following:
1. It contains a high percentage of sorbitol
And this is one of the most important answers to the question: “Does watermelon cause diarrhea?” Watermelon is high in sorbitol, a natural sugar that stimulates diarrhea and gas.
2. contamination with salmonella bacteria
There have been many warnings regarding the danger of eating pre-cut watermelon, as it may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria associated with food poisoning cases, which leads to the emergence of the following symptoms:
- stomach pain.
- Hyperthermia.
- severe diarrhea;
3. Lycopene
It is an antioxidant and works to prevent many diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis, which is responsible for giving watermelon its bright color, but because of its presence in high percentages in watermelon, it may cause diarrhea.
What is the allowed amount of watermelon?
After you got to know us the answer to the question: “Does watermelon cause diarrhea?” You may have wondered how much watermelon is allowed without causing diarrhea, and here you have to know that it is estimated at 300 grams of watermelon.
How to prevent diarrhea caused by eating watermelon
As for the prevention of diarrhea that may result from eating watermelon, there are not many options, but you can do the following:
- Eat watermelon in moderate quantities and do not overdo it.
- Avoid buying pre-cut watermelons, and be sure to buy whole watermelons.
- Wash the watermelon well before cutting and eating it.
Home remedies for diarrhea
And now that we’ve given you the most important thing about answering the question “Does watermelon cause diarrhea?” Here are some home remedies for diarrhea that may help relieve and treat diarrhea symptoms, which include the following:
Drink enough fluids
It is important to drink large amounts of fluids, such as water, soups, and juices, to replace the water lost due to diarrhea, and in return, you should avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea.
Add semi-solid foods
To help treat diarrhea and return your bowel movement to normal, it is useful to gradually add some semi-solid and low-fiber foods to your diets, such as toast, eggs, rice, and chicken, as they help reduce diarrhea symptoms significantly.
Avoid eating certain foods
To treat diarrhea, it is advised to avoid eating certain foods for several days, which include: dairy products, foods high in fat, foods high in fiber, and spicy foods.
Use of over-the-counter diarrhea medicines
Over-the-counter diarrhea medications, such as loperamide and bismuth subsalisylate, may help control diarrhea symptoms.
But you should be careful, as these medications may exacerbate some medical conditions in which diarrhea is caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection, as they prevent the body from eliminating the pathogen, so when you think of the question: “Does watermelon cause diarrhea?” Don’t forget to consider possible other causes of your diarrhea and be sure to consult your doctor before taking any medication.
Take probiotic supplements
Taking probiotic supplements may help restore the natural balance within your digestive system by promoting good bacteria in the gut.