How much watermelon can you eat without harming your health? A dietitian explains
August 5 2026, 02:32 PM
• 33662 views
Oleh Shvets, President of the Association of Dietitians of Ukraine, said that healthy people can eat watermelon without
restrictions, guided by their well-being. Restrictions apply only to people with allergies, intestinal disorders, and severe
kidney disease
Every year, dozens of tips and warnings emerge around watermelons. Some advise limiting yourself to a few slices a day, while others claim that you should eat a lot of watermelon because it supposedly cleanses the body of toxins. Oleg Shvets, President of the Association of Dietitians of Ukraine and Head of the Department of Public Health and Nutrition at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, told UNN how much watermelon one can eat, who should be cautious, and which of its properties have been confirmed by science.
Details
According to the doctor, watermelon is one of the least caloric seasonal foods and contains relatively little sugar. Despite widespread claims about strict restrictions, there is no universal standard for its consumption among healthy people, and a person’s well-being should be the main guide
Watermelon is a very beneficial, healthy food product. It offers a lot of benefits and enjoyment. Unlike other fruits and berries, it has significantly fewer calories and less sugar. Everyone else can safely eat as much watermelon as they feel comfortable with. There is no limit on the amount
However, certain exceptions do exist. The doctor notes that restrictions apply only to specific categories of people. In such cases, the amount of watermelon should be determined individually
Restrictions apply to three categories of people. These are allergies, which are very uncommon; functional intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome; and severe kidney diseases accompanied by renal failure. People with functional intestinal disorders may consume watermelon, but not in large portions, as it may cause bloating or diarrhea
The doctor stressed that watermelon is almost entirely made up of water, but its benefits do not end there. In particular, it contains antioxidants and substances that have a positive effect on the body
In addition to water, it contains antioxidants such as lycopene. It also contains vitamins with antioxidant effects. Some of these antioxidants contribute to the production of nitric oxide, which has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels and helps reduce blood pressure. So watermelon is a very beneficial plant-based food
The expert also commented on the popular claim that watermelon supposedly cleanses the body of toxins. According to him, such statements do not correspond to reality. At the same time, thanks to its high water content, it does support natural processes in the body
The claim that watermelon cleanses the body of toxins has nothing to do with reality. Because it contains more than 90 percent water, the physiological cleansing processes through the kidneys take place as they should. But there is no specific process whereby a person eats watermelon and it cleanses them; that cannot happen
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Alla Kiosak
SocietyHealthLife hack
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
