On networks, the subject comes up frequently. Drinking water after consuming melon would be “little recommended”. Rightly? Here are the potential risks associated with this practice, deciphered by Julie Boët, dietician-nutritionist.
Hydration and digestion: melon, a fruit that is good
Coming from the same family as cucumber and zucchini, the melon is particularly refreshing because of its very high water content (90 %).
It also contains a significant rate of vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin B9), in particular pro-vitamin A (100 g of melon make it possible to cover about half of the recommended daily contribution), trace elements (phosphorus, calcium, potassium …) and fibers.
Its calorie intake is also “reasonable” (on average 35 to 40 kcal per 100 g) and it improves intestinal health.
“The melon, like watermelon, is a fruit rich in water (approximately 90 %), soluble fibers and natural sugars (fructose and glucose)”, confirms Julie Boët. “These elements make it an excellent ally for hydration and digestive comfort, in particular thanks to its slight laxative action. This fruit can stimulate intestinal peristalsis in sensitive people, especially when consumed in large quantities or on an empty stomach”, underlines the dietician-nutritionist.
In view of these effects, is it reasonable to drink a large glass of water just after eating melon? Here is what the nutrition expert says.
Drinking water after consuming melon, a bad idea?
Good news: this habit is not dangerous for the majority of the population.
“However, this association can cause digestive discomfort in some people: bloating, transit acceleration, even diarrhea. This reaction is partly due to the concentration of water already present in the fruit, combined with that added by the drink, which can accentuate the rapid passage of the food bowl in the intestine. This phenomenon is all the more notable if the digestive system is fragile (children, irritable intestine syndrome …) “, warns Julie Boët.
The melon is considered moderately rich in fodmaps, more precisely in fructose, poorly absorbed sugar in some people suffering from irritable intestine syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
“Result, this phenomenon can lead to fermentation in the colon, generating gases and digestive discomfort. Watermelon, meanwhile, is even richer in fodmaps (fructose and polyols like mannitol), which makes it a potentially more problematic fruit in people suffering from irritable intestine syndrome. In these specific cases, the addition of water just after ingestion can actually exacerbate Symptoms, not because it “ferments”, but because it can accelerate transit or dilute digestive enzymes, thus delaying the digestion of fermentable sugars “, warns the specialist.
In summary, for the majority of the population, drinking water after eating melon is no problem. “But in sensitive people, prone to digestive disorders, or according to a diet poor in fodmaps, space the consumption of very aqueous water and fruits like melon or watermelon can help reduce discomfort”, concludes the dietician-nutritionist.