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Watermelon's Blood Sugar Impact: Experts Explain How to Enjoy It Safely
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Health & Science

Watermelon's Blood Sugar Impact: Experts Explain How to Enjoy It Safely

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Watermelon contains natural sugars and carbohydrates, which can raise blood sugar levels.
  • Despite its sugar content, watermelon has a low glycemic load and is mostly water, making it suitable for balanced diets.
  • The antioxidant lycopene in watermelon may help improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation.

While watermelon's sweetness might raise concerns about blood sugar levels, nutritionists emphasize that it can be part of a balanced diet. A typical one-cup serving contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates, considered a standard portion that can be incorporated into daily meal plans.

Watermelon contains natural sugars, but it is mostly water and can certainly be part of a balanced diet.

โ€” Vandana ShethA nutritionist and diabetes educator explaining the benefits of watermelon.

Experts note that watermelon's high water content (around 90%) and fiber help slow digestion. This process contributes to a more gradual rise in blood sugar, rather than a sharp spike. Although watermelon has a high glycemic index, its low glycemic load means a standard serving is unlikely to cause significant blood sugar increases.

A typical serving of one cup of diced watermelon contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates, which is about one serving and can easily fit into a daily meal plan.

โ€” Caroline Tomason BanA nutritionist and diabetes educator on portion sizes and carbohydrate content.

Furthermore, watermelon is rich in nutrients like vitamin C and lycopene. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, has been linked to better fasting blood sugar levels and may help combat chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, according to recent studies. Maintaining good hydration is also a key benefit, as water constitutes the majority of the fruit's weight.

Fiber and water help slow down digestion and increase the volume of food, which can contribute to a more gradual rise in blood sugar.

โ€” Caroline Tomason BanExplaining how watermelon's composition affects blood sugar response.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.