The only good thing about summer is mangoes and our favourite melons. Apart from being super hydrating, both watermelon and muskmelon are densely packed with nutrients. Watermelon contains lycopene, potassium and fibre, which makes it great for weight loss, say nutritionists.
Watermelon has an important amino acid that can simulate the production of nitric oxide, which enhances the blood flow and regulates the blood pressure.
So, the fruit is definitely worth adding to your summer diet plan.
There are many ways you can include watermelon in your diet and so is the number of myths surrounding it. The biggest of all is that a lot of people including our mothers say that we should not drink water after having watermelon. But is it true? Does having water after eating watermelon make you sick? Read on to know.
Watermelon contains 96 per cent water and thus if you have water after consuming it, it may hamper your digestive system by further diluting the digestive juices. Many people also believe that watermelon mostly contains water and sugar in the form of fructose thus drinking additional water after consuming it can put you at risk of stomach infections.
Ayurveda’s take
According to Ayurveda, some food combinations disturb the functioning of the gastric fire and upset the balance of doshas in our body. Ayurvedic doctors also suggest not to drink water after having watermelon as it can affect your gastrointestinal tract. Microbes or bacteria need water and sugar to develop and expand, so when you have water after the watermelon, it increases the chances of microbes spreading across your GI tract.
In fact, watermelon, when eaten along with other foods, slows down the absorption and digestion process leading to the production of gas.
Verdict
There is no scientific evidence to support that one should not have water after having watermelon but as per Ayurveda it is best to avoid it.
