Can You Eat Cantaloupe Stored Overnight? What Diabetics Need to Know and the Truth About Weight Loss

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On hot days, watermelon is undoubtedly the most sought-after fruit. It is sweet, juicy and beneficial in removing heat. Contains lycopene, citrulline, beta carotene and other nutrients. Moderate consumption of watermelon is beneficial for health. In today’s edition, we will find out if cantaloupe stored overnight can still be consumed, if diabetics can consume cantaloupe or if this fruit can help reduce body weight. For this, Professor Yu Kang, a nutritionist at Xiehe Hospital in Beijing, offered a series of clarifications.

1. Watermelon kept overnight should be eaten with caution

Some people claim that watermelon left overnight cannot be eaten. 8,400 bacteria survive on a piece of watermelon. From time to time, there are reports of people being hospitalized due to problems after consuming cantaloupe left overnight.

The rate of spoilage is related to the number of bacteria, duration of storage, temperature and other factors. In general, if the surface of the watermelon, the cutting bottom, the hands, the knife, the plastic film and the refrigerator are clean, if we put the freshly cut red watermelon in the refrigerator, wrapped in cling film or keep it in airtight containers, the next day can be consumed. If in a certain link the watermelon is polluted with a large number of pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria, Salmonella, there will be problems. If you buy cut watermelon that has been at room temperature for a long time, and then keep it in the refrigerator overnight, its hygiene is not ensured.

Many people like to eat watermelon cold. Watermelon contains a lot of fructose, which becomes sweeter at low temperatures, so watermelon stored in the refrigerator is more delicious. But, from a health perspective, it is good to eat red watermelon not very cold. The elderly and children should pay attention to this aspect.

2. Diabetics can eat watermelon

The sugar concentration of different varieties of cantaloupe differs, being usually between 6-13%. Compared to other fruits such as apples or pears, the sugar concentration in watermelon is not very high.

If the blood glucose level of diabetics is kept under control, that is, below 11.1 millimoles/liter, and the glycated hemoglobin is less than 7%, diabetics can consume a moderate amount of red watermelon, twice a day, for a total of 150- 200 grams.

Red watermelon contains a lot of water, the concentration of sugar is not very high. If you eat a small piece of watermelon, most of it is water. Even if the digestion is fast, with the premise of avoiding excessive consumption, it will not cause a large fluctuation in the blood sugar level. If you eat a lot of watermelon, it will be harmful for diabetics. If the blood sugar level is not kept under control, then you need to temporarily give up the consumption of watermelon.

Diabetics should avoid eating watermelon at three meals, having to eat between two meals, otherwise the glycemic load will be high. After eating red watermelon, diabetics should not eat other fruits on the same day.

3. Watermelon is not recommended for weight loss

In the summer, some people eat watermelon instead of food, believing that this method is beneficial, both to remove internal heat and to reduce body weight. Fruits are indispensable, but insufficient or excessive consumption is not healthy.

The human body needs multiple nutrients to keep it functioning. Every day, the body requires a certain amount of protein and fat, to maintain the process of renewal and recovery of organs. Fruits are rich in water, but contain a small amount of protein and fat, unable to satisfy the body’s nutrient needs. Then, if you eat too much fruit, the absorbed sugar will exceed the normal level. Therefore, the body weight will increase. Therefore, replacing meals with watermelon for weight loss is not recommended.

2023-08-07 09:20:23
#Diabetics #eat #watermelon