Overview
Watermelon is a healthy snack that is very popular, especially during the hot summer months. Many people find watermelon delicious. A cup of watermelon has only 50 calories with 15mg of vitamin C, 585 international units of vitamin A and 186mg of potassium. Like all foods, however, watermelon must be enjoyed in moderation. The side effects of eating too much watermelon are rare, though sometimes serious.
Hyperkalemia
Eating a large amount of watermelon can contribute to development of hyperkalemia. This disorder results when potassium levels in your blood get too high. Hyperkalemia is typically found when kidney disease is already present. Watermelon contains a high level of potassium. The symptoms of hyperkalemia include fainting, an irregular heart rhythm, stomach upset and vomiting and exhaustion.
Hydration of the Body
Watermelon has a high water content. Thus, an effect of eating watermelon is that your body will be well hydrated. Eating too much watermelon, however, could result in the need to urinate frequently.
Blood Vessel Relaxation
Watermelon contains phytonutrients including citrulline. This nutrient turns into arginine in the body, which increases the level of nitric oxide and relaxes blood vessels in the body. Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A& M University, reports that watermelon provides the same blood vessel relaxation in the body that is found with the drug Viagra. Thus for men, an effect of eating watermelon is it possibly prevents or helps treat erectile dysfunction.
Effect on Blood Pressure
Watermelon can also cause a drop in blood pressure in the aorta in patients with pre-hypertension. Watermelon supplementation caused a reduction in the "amplitude of the reflected wave," notes Arturo Figueroa of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University.
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