Watermelon is the most popular fruit in the summer, without a doubt. When the weather is hot, eating a piece of chilled watermelon instantly makes you feel refreshed. However, many people experience symptoms of mouth ulcers after eating watermelon, which is considered a "heaty" food. So, is watermelon a hot or cold fruit?
Is Watermelon Cold in Nature?
Watermelon is considered cold in nature, with a sweet taste and non-toxic properties. It is associated with the heart, stomach, and bladder meridians, making it a cooling fruit. Originally from Africa, watermelon was introduced to Xinjiang in the Tang Dynasty and belongs to the gourd family. It is cultivated in both northern and southern China and is available in the summer. Although watermelon is a cooling fruit, different parts of it have varying degrees of cooling properties.
Red Flesh
The red flesh is slightly cold and warm, with a relatively weak cooling effect. It mainly helps quench thirst and promote diuresis.
White Flesh
The white flesh (between the green rind and red flesh) is cold in nature and has a milder taste compared to the red flesh. It can be eaten as a cold dish with a small amount of salt and vinegar, and has a better cooling effect.
Green Rind
The green rind of watermelon is cold in nature and bitter in taste. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered a cooling herb and can be dried and brewed into tea, providing excellent cooling and heat-relieving effects.
Why Do Mouth Ulcers Occur When Eating Cooling Watermelon?
Our personal experiences often tell us that eating watermelon can cause symptoms of "heatiness," such as mouth ulcers. This is because the red flesh of watermelon is slightly cold and warm, and this part of the juice contains a high sugar content, which has high osmotic pressure. Consuming a large amount can damage the oral mucosa, leading to mouth ulcers. Additionally, the red flesh has diuretic properties, which can cause dehydration and a feeling of dryness in the mouth and tongue.
Therefore, when eating watermelon, it is advisable to eat more bites of the white flesh, which can provide a cooling effect and alleviate the symptoms of mouth ulcers caused by eating watermelon.
Who Should Avoid Eating Watermelon?
People with diabetes or in the early stages of a cold should avoid eating watermelon.
Those with weak spleen and stomach, impaired kidney function, or mouth ulcers should be cautious about eating watermelon.
Pregnant women, infants, breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly should not consume excessive amounts of watermelon.
