Can patients with kidney stones eat watermelon?

May 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Guang
Introduction
Watermelon is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family and mainly contains water, vitamin C, minerals, and other components. The primary cause of kidney stone formation is an imbalance in urine composition, leading to the supersaturation and crystallization of minerals and salts. Due to its high water content, watermelon can help increase urine output, thereby facilitating the excretion of small stones through urine. Under normal circumstances, patients can consume watermelon.

Generally, patients with kidney stones can consume watermelon. Details are as follows:

Watermelon is a common fruit in daily life, with low oxalate content and rich in water and vitamins. Due to its high water content, consuming watermelon can increase urine production. Increased urine volume helps dilute the concentration of substances in urine that can form stones, such as oxalate, calcium, and uric acid. When the concentrations of these substances decrease, the likelihood of their precipitation in the kidneys to form stones also diminishes. Additionally, watermelon contains various vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin B6, which are beneficial for kidney health. These vitamins can help reduce the level of oxalates in urine—oxalate being one of the common components of kidney stones—and thus reducing oxalate levels can help prevent further stone formation.

Moderate consumption of watermelon is beneficial for patients with kidney stones, but excessive consumption should be avoided. Watermelon contains minerals, and excessive intake may increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys. Moreover, eating too much watermelon may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. Additionally, if a patient has recently experienced a kidney stone attack (renal colic), excessive consumption of watermelon might accelerate stone movement due to its diuretic effect.

If a kidney stone patient is in the phase of stone movement and experiencing renal colic, it is not advisable to consume watermelon at this time. Consuming large amounts of watermelon may further promote diuresis, accelerating stone movement and increasing the risk of ureteral obstruction. Moreover, high-oxalate foods such as spinach should also be avoided. Controlling diet, avoiding staying up late, and engaging in moderate physical activity in daily life are essential to prevent recurrence of kidney stones.

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