Is it okay to eat watermelon after a meal?

Under normal circumstances, it is generally not recommended to eat watermelon right after a meal. The details are as follows:

Watermelon is rich in vitamins, glucose, protein amino acids, lycopene, and other substances that can supply nutrients required by the body, provide energy, and help maintain normal physiological functions, thus contributing to overall health. However, it's best not to eat watermelon immediately after a meal. After eating, the stomach is actively churning and compressing food to promote gastric emptying and absorb nutrients. Watermelon contains a large amount of water; when consumed, this water can enter the stomach and dilute digestive juices, impairing the digestion and absorption of food and significantly reducing the uptake of nutrients from the meal. Additionally, the high water content in watermelon not only interferes with digestion and absorption but also occupies a considerable volume in the stomach. Regularly eating watermelon after meals may lead to stomach enlargement or even gastric ptosis (stomach prolapse). Therefore, it is not advisable to eat watermelon immediately after meals—waiting until some digestion has occurred is preferable.

In summary, if discomfort occurs during consumption, individuals should seek medical attention at a hospital promptly to avoid adverse outcomes.