In the height of summer, the weather is hot, and watermelon has become a favorite delicacy for many people. Many people especially enjoy putting watermelon in the freezer to freeze before eating it. Ice-cold watermelon has a cooler and more refreshing taste, but it should not be eaten in excess, as too much can harm one's health, and in severe cases, it can lead to illness.
First, eating ice-cold watermelon can easily cause pharyngitis or toothache. Watermelon is cold-natured and sweet. After being refrigerated at a low temperature, the water in the pulp often forms ice crystals. When eaten, the mouth is suddenly stimulated, causing the salivary glands, taste nerves on the tongue, and periodontal nerves to cool rapidly, and sometimes even enter a state of numbness. This not only reduces the delicious, crisp, and sweet flavor of the watermelon but also irritates the throat, causing adverse reactions such as pharyngitis or tooth pain.
Second, eating too much refrigerated watermelon can also damage the spleen and stomach, leading to indigestion. This is especially true for the elderly whose digestive functions have declined, as eating frozen watermelon can easily cause gastrointestinal diseases such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Those with a weak and cold spleen and stomach, indigestion, or loose stools should also eat it in moderation. Eating too much can lead to bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and can also accumulate cold and dampness.
Again, women should not eat ice-cold watermelon during their menstrual period. Once cold food is consumed, the blood is stimulated by the temperature change, which can lead to poor circulation, easily causing blood clots, resulting in menstrual cramps and irregular periods.
In addition, patients with renal insufficiency cannot eat ice-cold watermelon. Not to mention ice-cold watermelon, even watermelon at room temperature should be eaten sparingly. For patients with renal insufficiency, consuming a large amount of watermelon in a short time will rapidly increase the body's water content, exceeding the body's physiological capacity. The water regulation ability of patients with renal insufficiency is greatly reduced, and they cannot expel the excess water from the body in a timely manner, leading to a sharp increase in blood volume, which can easily induce acute heart failure. In severe cases, it can lead to death.