What Causes Vomiting After Eating Watermelon?

Feeling nauseous or vomiting after eating watermelon may be caused by consuming too much watermelon, eating watermelon that is too cold, or gastroesophageal reflux.

1. Excessive watermelon consumption

Eating too much watermelon without paying attention to portion size can overload the gastrointestinal tract. This slows down digestion and delays gastric emptying, causing excessive accumulation of watermelon in the stomach and increasing gastric pressure, which may lead to nausea or vomiting. This may also be accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and indigestion.

2. Watermelon being too cold

If watermelon is refrigerated and becomes excessively cold, consuming it immediately may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing intestinal spasms and abdominal pain. This may also be accompanied by vomiting.

3. Gastroesophageal reflux

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux may experience vomiting after eating watermelon. This condition usually results from dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. It may also be accompanied by discomforts such as upper abdominal pain, a burning sensation, or belching.