Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer?

The benefits and harms of watermelon

Watermelon pulp has a powerful healing effect on the human body due to its rich chemical composition:

The amino acid L-citrulline prevents muscle pain after hard workouts in the gym. Those who drank a glass of fresh watermelon before class noted a decrease in pain within a day.
Vitamin A has a beneficial effect on vision.
The substances arginine and citrulline reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Fiber normalizes digestion and eliminates spasms in the gallbladder.
High diuretic activity helps cleanse urine and reduce oxalates in the kidneys.
Arginine improves erectile function.
Lycopene reduces the risk of developing ovarian cancer in women during menopause.
Watermelon pulp increases skin elasticity, moisturizes and prolongs youth.
In the kidneys, citrulline is synthesized into the amino acid arginine, which supports the body's defenses and improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
Lycopene has antioxidant properties and prevents the development of cancer cells.

The harmful effects of watermelon on the body develop with excessive consumption and combination with heavy foods. Instead of digestion, food begins to ferment in the stomach, which leads to unpleasant sensations (diarrhea, bloating, heartburn) and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

Composition of watermelon

Watermelon contains the following useful components:

Carbohydrates. They are represented by starch, fructose and glucose; during long-term storage, sucrose is formed in the berry. These carbohydrates are easily absorbed by the body and charge cells with the necessary energy.
Squirrels. They supply cells with essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized in the human body. The resulting amino acids are broken down to release energy or used for the biosynthesis of their own proteins.
Cellulose. These complex carbohydrates help maintain the normal composition of intestinal microflora, fight inflammatory processes, and reduce the risk of cancer. Pectin also belongs to soluble fiber. They are almost not absorbed in the human body, but are enterosorbents, that is, they remove exogenous and endogenous substances from the gastrointestinal tract.

Watermelon has almost no contraindications for consumption.
The list of substances included in the product continues:

Vitamin C, P, A and group B. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, important for the formation of collagen, serotonin, catecholamines and corticosteroids. In addition, ascorbic acid stimulates the synthesis of interferon, which helps fight viral agents. B vitamins ensure the occurrence of many biochemical processes in the human body. Carotene is an antioxidant, stimulates the immune system and has an adaptogenic effect.
Microelements. Contains magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and iron. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the body, since they affect the digestive, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, and are required for the normal functioning of the hematopoietic organs.
Organic acids. Positively affect metabolism and digestive system.
Lycopene. Is an antioxidant. Removes radicals from tissues, thereby preventing the formation of cancer cells, and prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, it protects the retina, lens and macula from photon damage.

Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have stomach and duodenal ulcers?

Gastric and duodenal ulcers are local lesions of the mucous membrane formed under the influence of the gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This is a dangerous condition that aggravates the reflux of bile into the stomach and provokes the production of hydrochloric acid. Without treatment, internal bleeding develops or, worse, a through hole appears.

After identifying the disease, doctors prescribe appropriate treatment and diet , without which full recovery is impossible. During this period, foods that cause irritation to the walls of the intestines and stomach are prohibited. This list also includes melon crops such as melon and watermelon.

Doctors are of the opinion that it is better to avoid eating watermelon during an exacerbation of the disease . It is allowed to gradually return to the diet in the remission stage, starting with small portions.

Points for and against

Let's start with the arguments against watermelon in the acute period of the disease :

The pulp contains a lot of vitamin C (7 mg per 100 g), which has an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa and provokes bleeding.
The product promotes the production of hydrochloric acid, which causes a chemical burn of the walls of the digestive tract, aggravating the course of the disease.
Watermelon increases the acidity of the stomach, causing discomfort (pain, heartburn).
The pulp is prohibited due to fiber, which injures the intestinal walls.
A stomach ulcer is accompanied by diarrhea, and the strong diuretic effect of the product contributes to the intensification of the unpleasant phenomenon. This leads to dehydration and increases the risk of relapse.

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It is advisable to talk about the positive effect of watermelon on the body during ulcers when the disease has gone into remission. Even a small amount of pulp will help:

strengthen the immune system thanks to the same vitamin C;
strengthen capillaries and blood vessels;
remove toxins;
eliminate bleeding gums;
improve complexion;
replenish potassium reserves and improve heart function;
remove excess fluid from subcutaneous fat.

How does watermelon affect the digestive system?

Thanks to this composition, watermelon has a diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, laxative, and tonic effect. The berry helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, which prevents thrombosis, and enhances intestinal motility, which helps cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and cope with constipation.

Since the berry is a natural laxative (due to its fiber content), it prevents the formation of stones and the deposition of salts.

Despite all the beneficial properties, it is still not recommended to consume the berry in unlimited quantities for stomach or intestinal ulcers. There are several reasons for this. Watermelon has the ability to accumulate nitrates, and their excess can lead to serious poisoning not only for people with gastrointestinal problems, but also for healthy ones.

If the fruit appeared on store shelves outside the ripening season, then there is a high probability that it was “fed” with fertilizers. Watermelon ripens in August-September, and it is at this time of year that the berry can be eaten. You should not buy overripe watermelons.

When consuming watermelon, skin color improves, bleeding gums go away, and excess fluid is removed from the body.

The fiber contained in the berry can increase the inflammatory process because it has a mechanical effect on the walls of the digestive tract. And this provokes an exacerbation of pathological processes.

In the stomach, watermelon pulp stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid. With this pathology, wounds (ulcers) form on the mucous tissue of the stomach and duodenum. When acid touches the affected area, it causes burns and severe pain.

A large amount of juicy pulp (more than 1.5–2 kg) leads to digestive system upset. This applies to both people with gastrointestinal pathology and healthy people. There is discomfort in the stomach, bloating and stool disturbances.

Ascorbic acid causes a chemical burn to the affected area. As a result, the lesion increases, and the person feels severe pain in the place where there is damage to the organ wall. If there is too much acid, it can cause bleeding from the ulcer.

It is undesirable for people with peptic ulcers to eat foods that have a diuretic effect, since the pathology is already characterized by weak stools. Frequent urination and insufficient drinking can lead to dehydration of the mucous membrane, which will lead to an exacerbation of the disease.

Watermelon for exacerbation of ulcers

During the period of exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers, patients go on a strict diet that excludes the consumption of fruits, berries, and raw vegetables. That is, products containing coarse fiber that can injure the affected mucous membrane. All food should be boiled, steamed or crushed. No hot sauces, fried or overly fatty foods, or foods marinated in vinegar.

Watermelon is included in the list of prohibited foods due to its high content of ascorbic acid and fiber, and the ability to increase stomach acidity. If you have a duodenal ulcer, you can drink watermelon juice diluted with water, but you should not eat the pulp.

In chronic form

During the period of remission, berries can be returned to the diet no earlier than six months after completion of the main treatment. During this time, the tissues of the intestines and stomach will have time to fully recover. The decision on the possibility of introducing non-acidic berries and fruits into the diet is made by a gastroenterologist after assessing the condition of the mucous membrane.

If the pain returns, you will have to stop eating watermelon pulp.

What are the benefits of watermelons and melons?

They contain vitamins C, PP, B1, B2, carotene, pectin polysaccharides, folic acid, as well as fiber, carbohydrates and microelements: potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, calcium, phosphorus.

Firstly, watermelons perfectly quench thirst, which is especially important in such a hot summer. Watermelon is a berry rich in fiber; it is common knowledge that fiber improves intestinal function and helps our stomach digest food.

Watermelons are useful for diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as they are a good diuretic: they remove excess fluid from the body along with harmful metabolic products and cholesterol. Watermelons also improve the condition of the body with hypertension and intestinal atony.

Watermelons are second only to lettuce and spinach in iron content, and are good for anemia. The increased content of vitamins and iron makes watermelon beneficial for nursing mothers.

Potassium salts contained in watermelons are indicated for urological diseases such as cystitis, nephritis, and pyelonephritis.

People with diabetes can consume watermelons in small quantities, since the pulp of this fruit contains easily digestible sugars.

The daily dose of watermelons recommended by nutritionists is about 2-2.5 kg.

It is believed that the juice of the white pulp of the watermelon, which is located immediately under the rind of the fruit, is healthier than the juice of its pink pulp. It is recommended to mix this juice with apple juice for a more pleasant taste.

The juice of the white pulp helps with chronic circulatory failure, kidney and gall bladder diseases.

But you should only take it no more than 0.5 cups at a time, as it is a very strong remedy.

It is useful to arrange fasting days based on a watermelon diet: 1-2 days a week, eat up to 1.5 kg of watermelon in five meals. But in case of cholelithiasis and kidney failure, it is better to do this on the recommendation of a doctor.

For psoriasis and eczema, you can make face masks from watermelon pulp: apply gauze soaked in watermelon juice to your face for 20 minutes.

Watermelon seed emulsion helps eliminate freckles and acne from the face. To prepare the emulsion, take ripe watermelon seeds and water in a ratio of 1:10, grind the seeds in a mortar, adding water little by little. This emulsion is applied to the face for 20 minutes, then washed off.

And at the same time, a watermelon can be fraught with danger, because... tends to accumulate toxic substances and chemical compounds, so you need to choose a ripe fruit very carefully.

You should not take too large ones, and you should also pay attention to the color of the pulp: yellow veins and compactions in the pulp indicate the presence of nitrates in the watermelon.

Such “chemical” watermelons can be harmful to your health, and they also spoil quickly.

Rules for use for ulcers

In order not to harm your health, doctors recommend adhering to the rules for consuming watermelons for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract :

Eat the product no more than twice a week.
Discard early fruits harvested in early August. They contain a high content of nitrates.
Pay attention to the color of the pulp. It should be dense, red or scarlet in color, without yellowness or white streaks.
Do not consume the product immediately after taking it out of the refrigerator. Cold food irritates the mucous membranes.
Eat watermelons during the period when the symptoms of the disease subside and only as a dessert, after the main course.
Do not swallow watermelon seeds.

Standards of use

For stomach and duodenal ulcers in remission, the daily intake is 150-300 g. Doctors recommend dividing this amount into two doses to understand how the body will react.

If you can't, but really want to

Watermelon lovers should not be disappointed after reading this article. If you approach the process wisely and follow the golden rule of moderation, even with a stomach ulcer you are allowed to periodically treat yourself to a piece of ripe watermelon pulp. To prevent your addiction to melons from leading to tragic consequences, you need to follow seven simple recommendations.

You are allowed to eat no more than 300 grams of watermelon pulp per day. Moreover, it is necessary to eat it not at once, but divided into several doses throughout the day. This order will allow you not to overload your stomach with excess fiber consumption; it will be much easier to monitor the body’s reaction to the product.
If you have a peptic ulcer, it is not recommended to eat watermelons more than 1-2 times a week. Eating more frequently will lead to worsening of the condition.
Gastroenterologists categorically do not recommend starting to eat watermelons before mid-August.
Before eating, you need to inspect the pulp. If white veins are visible or the flesh has turned yellowish, it is better to put the fruit aside.
You should eat melons only during the period of remission of the ulcerative process. In the acute stage, a gentle diet is prescribed.
If epigastric pain, nausea, or vomiting occurs when eating, exclude the product from your daily diet.
It is not recommended to eat watermelon seeds.

Before including a non-recommended product in your diet, you should consult your doctor. A gastroenterologist will conduct an examination, prescribe the necessary diagnostic procedures, recommend a suitable diet, and tell you about the possible risks of consuming certain foods.

Contraindications and precautions

Doctors recommend using the product with caution :

with type 2 diabetes due to large amounts of fructose;
in cases of renal dysfunction due to diuretic effects;
if there is a violation of the outflow of urine;
with pyelonephritis;
for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in the stage of subsiding symptoms.

You will have to completely abandon the product if ulcer symptoms increase during the acute period of the disease.

Reference. Watermelon pulp should not be given to children under one year of age due to the risk of bloating.

What should you consider?

To the question of whether it is possible to eat watermelon for a stomach ulcer, experts give a positive answer. However, you should control the amount you eat. You should not eat the berry if you have nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, heartburn, or lack of appetite. Otherwise, the unpleasant symptoms will become even stronger.

CAREFULLY! During the period of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease, it is better to avoid eating watermelon and melon.

For gastritis, melon product is allowed when stable remission is achieved. And this is regardless of the acidity level. However, excessive consumption of berries can lead to a feeling of heaviness and abdominal pain. Therefore, experts recommend consuming no more than two to three slices per day. Such volumes will not only not harm the affected organ, but will also speed up its recovery processes.

Patients with diseases of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, prostate, as well as people suffering from type 1 diabetes should consume watermelon with great caution.

Watermelon for ulcer

This large striped berry is extremely useful for a healthy person. She is rich:

pectin;
lycopene;
starch;
fiber;
microelements;
organic acids;
The berry contains proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

By regularly consuming watermelon pulp, you can get rid of toxins. Watermelon juice actively removes toxins and acts as a natural laxative. In addition, it clears sand from the kidneys, thereby preventing the formation of stones in them. But whether watermelon will be beneficial for stomach and duodenal ulcers is definitely worth finding out.

Nutritionists say that this product can be present in the diet of patients with peptic ulcers, but in small quantities.

It is acceptable to eat just a few slices of watermelon throughout the day. It must be remembered that this fruit contains quite a lot of Mg, which improves the absorption of microelements necessary for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. But lycopene is no less important: it reduces the risk of cardiovascular pathologies and cancer.

How and how much to use

The product is especially useful when remission occurs. At this time, you are allowed to eat 2-3 slices of the product several times a week after the main meal. Berry juice relieves symptoms of inflammation and weakness, and lowers temperature. Thus, you can eat watermelon for peptic ulcers and gastritis, but be careful.

Since watermelon has beneficial vitamins and minerals, consuming it in small quantities has a restorative and regenerating effect on the gastric mucosa and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole. During the period of remission, this healthy berry saturates the body not only with vitamins and minerals, but also with beneficial antioxidants.

In addition, watermelon contains fructose instead of glucose. And with gastritis, it is fructose that is easier to digest. It also normalizes blood sugar levels.

In addition, watermelon in small quantities is especially useful for women with gastritis, during lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy:

support for fetal development and health;
cleansing the mother’s body of toxins and sand;
improves skin condition;
relieves swelling.

However, in late pregnancy, the product should be used with extreme caution, as this can lead to general discomfort and difficulty urinating.

You can eat watermelon for gastritis with both high and low acidity. In any case, this berry should not be completely excluded from your diet. You just need to consult your doctor about the correct dosage and time of use.

Recommendations

You can eat watermelon for gastrointestinal diseases in remission. You just need to follow 4 basic rules:

no more than 200 g at a time (2-3 slices);
only after the main meal;
during remission of inflammation;
the pulp should not be cold.

Watermelon should be eaten with caution not only in case of gastrointestinal disorders (duodenal or stomach ulcers, gastritis, etc.), but even in their absence. The content of a large amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants makes the berry extremely beneficial for the whole body. The functioning of the stomach and kidneys improves, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and the body is cleansed of harmful substances. Watermelon is also beneficial for women in early pregnancy.

If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, etc.), watermelon should be consumed carefully, as containing a large amount of vitamin C can negatively affect the functioning of the stomach. Overeating this berry threatens the resumption of pain and discomfort in the stomach. However, if you follow simple rules for consumption and selection, you can avoid many negative consequences.

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Inflammation of the gastric mucosa causes a lot of anxiety to a person, forcing him to be careful about his diet, and if he allows himself various harmful delicacies to endure pain, a feeling of heaviness, nausea, belching and other unpleasant symptoms. They are the ones who remind you of the need to follow a diet and to be interested in which product can cause harm. During the fruit and vegetable season, these questions arise especially often. The end of summer and the beginning of autumn has its own distinctive feature - mountains of striped watermelons and fragrant aromatic melons, but is it possible to have them with gastritis?

The benefits of watermelon

To determine the benefits of watermelon, you need to know what is included in it. Thus, the fruit contains the following beneficial substances:

carbohydrates;
microelements;
proteins;
cellulose;
starch;
vitamins of groups B, C and P;
water;
pectin;
fats;
organic acids;
lycoline

The pulp of the fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C, which means that watermelon strengthens the human immune system and prevents the occurrence of infectious diseases. This berry helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, prevents the formation of thrombosis and cleanses blood vessels of toxins.

By consuming the fruit regularly, gums stop bleeding, skin color improves, and excess fluid is removed from the body.

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Watermelon in gastroenterology

In general, gastroenterologists have a very favorable attitude towards watermelon and include it in the therapeutic diet according to the season. This berry has many advantages. The pulp contains a lot of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as water.

Watermelon also has enough medicinal properties:

diuretic;
choleretic;
antioxidant;
nutritious;
laxative;
cleansing.

In addition, watermelon is able to stimulate intestinal motility and promote insulin synthesis, which is so important for pancreatitis. And with all this, watermelons are one of the lowest calorie foods, despite their sweetness, because they are 90% water.

However, what is useful in one case may not always be as useful in another. And if watermelon helps a lot with cholecystitis, even in large quantities, then with gastritis and gastric ulcers, before consuming the berry, you must first assess the patient’s condition, the stage of the disease and the degree of its severity.

How to choose a watermelon

The ripening season for this juicy berry is August-September. Previously, it is not recommended to purchase watermelons, since the likelihood of buying a low-quality fruit is too high. But when choosing a watermelon, even in season, you need to focus on certain signs.

Watermelon pulp is an excellent environment for the active growth of microbes, so you should not take a fruit with damaged peel integrity. When choosing, you need to focus only on external signs. Cutting a watermelon is unacceptable!

A fully ripened berry has a peel with a clear contrasting striped pattern and a yellowish spot on the side. The lighter it is, the longer the fruit has ripened on the melon field.

You need to pay attention to the tail of the watermelon. In a naturally ripened fruit, it is dry and lifeless.

A ripe watermelon always responds dully when tapped, thanks to the microvoids formed during ripening. When there is no resonance, there is a high probability that the fruit is unripe.

Benefits of berries

Bright, ripe and juicy. The largest berry on the planet. Or just watermelon. A storehouse of vitamins, minerals and other useful acids. Consumption of the product has a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole:

waste and toxins are removed;
immunity is strengthened;
kidneys are cleansed;
prevention of kidney diseases;
the body is saturated with vitamins A, B and C;
blood sugar levels stabilize;
the body is saturated with potassium, phosphorus, magnesium;
the functioning of the gallbladder improves;
extra pounds are not added;
metabolism accelerates;
the cardiovascular system is strengthened;
helps men with infertility;
skin condition improves;
excess water is removed;
during pregnancy has a positive effect on the development of the fetus and the well-being of the mother.

There are many diets that include watermelon fasting days, since this berry does not affect the figure in any way. It is worth noting that any dish that includes this healthy product will a priori be low-calorie and suitable for a person suffering from gastritis or ulcers. This is a fairly healthy and versatile berry, so you shouldn’t neglect it even during illness.

Few people know that in addition to the pulp, you can also eat the rind of watermelon. A decoction is made from them, which has a good effect on the functioning of the stomach, kidneys and cardiovascular system. This decoction is especially useful for erosive gastritis, but healthy people can also drink it occasionally to prevent gastritis and ulcers.

Indications for use

There are many different conditions of digestive organ disease, so let’s look at the main indications for consuming or prohibiting watermelon:

for gastritis with high acidity - small portions of ripe berries are allowed, but only on a full stomach during the period of remission, because watermelon can further increase pH;
with low acidity - there are no restrictions, but moderation in food must still be observed. Large volumes of berries will fill the stomach, put pressure on its walls, and can provoke inflammation of the walls;
watermelon for exacerbation of gastritis - in this condition, all products that stimulate the production of gastric juice are excluded from the menu. Raw vegetables, fruits, and berries are removed from the diet until the exacerbation subsides; only jelly and fruit jellies are allowed. You will also have to give up watermelon for a while. After restoring the digestive function of the stomach, a few slices of juicy ripe pulp will not hurt;
watermelon for gastritis and stomach ulcers - a local defect of the mucous membrane, characteristic of an ulcer, often accompanies gastritis. Such a diagnosis requires not only mandatory drug treatment, but also a strict diet. Watermelon contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, which can have an irritating effect on the internal walls of the organ. This will lead to increased pain and even cause bleeding of the wound. Therefore, watermelon is prohibited for gastritis and stomach ulcers;
watermelon for gastritis and pancreatitis - the inflammatory process of the pancreas, like the stomach, occurs in the acute phase and in the subsiding period. Dietary fiber from watermelon, like other berries, can harm a diseased, inflamed organ, and is therefore strictly prohibited. Persistent remission allows you to enjoy the fruit. It will not cause harm even to patients with diabetes mellitus, because... has a low glycemic index. The fructose in its composition will not require additional insulin;
watermelon for erosive gastritis - this form of the disease is characterized by the presence of multiple lesions on the walls of the stomach, they affect the surface layer of the mucosa. When in contact with an acidic environment, foci of inflammation intensify, and the secretory-motor mechanisms of the stomach are further disrupted. The patient suffers from heartburn, heaviness in the epigastric region, pain after eating, belching, bitterness in the mouth. Watermelon can aggravate the condition, so it is best to avoid it until the pathology is cured;
watermelon for atrophic gastritis - characterized by functional insufficiency of the stomach. With it, the number of glands that produce gastric juice decreases, muscle tone decreases. It is classified as a precancerous condition. Although watermelon promotes gastric secretion, it is also not recommended to eat a lot with atrophic gastritis; small portions will only bring benefits;
watermelon for chronic gastritis - all forms of the disease have an acute and chronic course. The latter means that persistent changes in the mucous membrane occur in the stomach, which, with poor nutrition, bad habits, exposure to medications and other factors, will lead to exacerbation and other unpleasant consequences. Watermelon is not a food that provokes such complications, unless you overload the organ with overeating.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]