Can I eat watermelon after eating whiteleg shrimp?
Oct 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, you should not eat watermelon after consuming whiteleg shrimp, as doing so may have adverse effects on the body. Shrimp contains a large amount of protein, and the vitamin C in watermelon can react with the protein from seafood to form protein clumps, which are不利于 (unfavorable) for the body's metabolism. It is recommended to avoid consuming foods high in vitamin C for at least two hours after eating whiteleg shrimp.
Generally, you should not eat watermelon after consuming whiteleg shrimp, as doing so may have adverse effects on the body.
Eating watermelon immediately after having whiteleg shrimp can easily lead to food poisoning. This is because whiteleg shrimp usually contain a certain amount of pentavalent arsenic compounds, while watermelon is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent reducing agent; when consumed together, it can reduce pentavalent arsenic to trivalent arsenic (arsenite), which is highly toxic and may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it could even be life-threatening. Additionally, shrimp are high in protein, and the vitamin C in watermelon may interact with the protein from seafood to form protein aggregates, which can impair normal metabolism. Therefore, it is not advisable to eat watermelon right after eating whiteleg shrimp. It is recommended to wait at least 2 to 3 hours before consuming watermelon, which helps avoid toxic side effects and ensures that the nutritional value of both foods is preserved.
It is advised not to consume large amounts of foods high in vitamin C within two hours after eating whiteleg shrimp.
