What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Too Much Watermelon

When our grandmas used to tell us that an apple a day kept the doctor away, they could have been talking about watermelon too. The summertime staple is sweet, juicy, chases thirst away — and packs more of the cancer- and stroke-fighting anti-oxidant, lycopene, than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. A cup of watermelon also contains vitamins A, B6, and C in just 46 calories per serving (via Mayo Clinic). It has arginine, which Keck Medicine of USC says helps you burn fat quickly. 

It also has electrolytes, which are important in helping your body sort out its metabolic waste, transport nutrients, and prevent dehydration (via LiveStrong). As a bonus, watermelon is a versatile ingredient that you can enjoy in many ways: cut up into chunks and chilled, in a salad, as a smoothie, and even grilled.

Watermelon is about 92 percent of water, which means eating plenty of the delectable fruit cuts your chances of getting dehydrated. Its high water content makes watermelon even safe for diabetics to enjoy — although it has a high glycemic index, it has a low glycemic load, thanks to all that water.

But like just about everything else in life, having too much watermelon can have a downside.

Have you ever felt bloated and gassy after a watermelon fest? If you have, you can blame it on the fact that you may have had too much of the wonder fruit. Because watermelon is made up of more than 90 percent water, having three to four wedges per serving carries between 27 to 36 ounces of water and fiber, which can leave you feeling bloated and somewhat gassy. 

While consuming lycopene is great, LiveStrong also says the antioxidant — when taken in supplement form — may cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea, as well as nausea and vomiting in some people, so remember that watermelons are packed with lycopene. 

And because it also has quite a bit of sugar, people with diabetes may not want to overindulge in watermelon, although there is nothing wrong with enjoying it in moderation.