Summers are very hot this year and watermelon is such a relieving summer fruit. Cold watermelon pieces or even the juice can feel so refreshing. It is a very hydrating fruit, recommended for summers but one must be careful about consuming too much of them. While the watermelon has numerous health benefits and beauty enhancing properties, the fruit also has a lot of side-effects. The nutrition and cooling effects aside, it is also advised to not consume a lot as, the very nutrients and vitamins can adversely affect your system.

Read on to know what are the side-effects of this summer fruit:

  1. Intestinal problems: Watermelons are rich in lycopene, a plant chemical. Too much of lycopene can cause nausea, vomiting, indigestion. One may also face digestive problems like gas, flatulence, bloating and even diarrhoea.  The sugar compound in the fruit can cause stool problems.

  2. Rise in glucose levels: Diabetics should especially be careful while consuming watermelons. The fruit has a lot of natural sugar level in it which may spike up the sugar levels in the body. It can be troublesome to a person who already has high sugar levels.

  3. Cardiovascular diseases: Watermelons are rich in potassium. Having a lot of potassium-enriched foodstuffs can trigger cardiovascular problems. While potassium is necessary for our muscles and bones strong, too much of the mineral can cause irregular heartbeat and thus serious heart problems.

  4. Affect blood pressure levels: Person suffering from low blood pressure levels should usually avoid having watermelons. Consumption of watermelon can dip the levels of blood pressure.

  5. Avoid eating during pregnancy: A pregnant woman has to be careful about her food intake. Too much of watermelons during pregnancy can increase the blood sugar levels and cause complications. So it is advised to avoid the fruit for few months during the pregnancy.

  6. Impotence: Consumption of too much of watermelon can cause a situation close to erectile dysfunction in men. This is, however, a debatable topic as many suggest that watermelons could be used in the treatment of erectile dysfunctions.

  7. Allergic reactions: Watermelons may have properties for beauty benefits but it may not suit every skin type. Some people can suffer allergies and mild rashes on consumption of the fruit. People who are generally allergic to carrots or cucumbers should be careful about watermelons as well.

The sight of watermelons may look soothing while you are roaming around in the hot sunny days but you should also pay heed to which place are you choosing to have the juice if at all. Not only in case of watermelons but even generally one has to be careful about the roadside juice stalls. Watermelons are a favourite summer fruit and people love binging on it, but anything of excess is a problem. Hence make sure you know the side-effects before you have an excess of it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2018 12:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).