Can patients with diabetic complications eat watermelon?
Feb 20, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, watermelon is a fruit with a relatively high sugar content, and it is not recommended for patients with diabetes complications to consume watermelon. Patients with diabetes complications need to control their sugar intake, avoid high-sugar foods, and choose low-sugar or sugar-free diets. They can appropriately consume more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole grains and vegetables, which can help improve blood sugar control.
Generally speaking, watermelon is a fruit with a relatively high sugar content, and it is not recommended for patients with diabetes complications to consume watermelon. The analysis is as follows:
After diabetic patients consume watermelon, it can cause an increase in insulin secretion and a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. Frequent or excessive intake of watermelon may lead to sustained high blood glucose levels, which is particularly unfavorable for patients with diabetes complications. A hyperglycemic state may exacerbate the progression of complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and retinopathy.
Watermelon contains high levels of carbohydrates and water. Excessive consumption can easily lead to excessive calorie intake, which is then converted into stored fat, resulting in weight gain. Weight gain increases the burden on the heart and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, a high-sugar diet can interfere with the body's normal metabolic processes, leading to impaired function of pancreatic beta cells and further aggravating difficulties in blood glucose control.
Patients with diabetes complications need to control their sugar intake, avoid high-sugar foods, and choose low-sugar or sugar-free diets. They can appropriately consume more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole grains and vegetables, which help improve blood glucose control.
