Is watermelon useful for the liver — 4 facts about how it affects the digestive tract
Few people know that watermelon, a favorite summer delicacy, in addition to its ability to clean the kidneys, also has hepatoprotective properties, cleansing the liver and protecting it from the harmful effects of toxins, which confirmed by research
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Due to the large amount of liquid and nutrients in the composition of the berry, the products of metabolism and decomposition are purified and eliminated from the body.
Watermelon also has a mild laxative effect, so it is indispensable for constipation. The diuretic effect of watermelon helps to remove toxins from the urinary system.
However, watermelon may not always be useful for patients with a diseased liver. Therefore, before using watermelon for dietary or medicinal purposes, find out how it affects various organs of the gastrointestinal tract and in which diseases it can be eaten, and in which cases it is not allowed.
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4 useful properties
Watermelon contains a lot of useful vitamins and minerals, so eating this product can have a positive effect on the condition of the liver and the entire gastrointestinal tract. Here are some of the most pronounced properties.
1. Liver cleansing and protection
The most popular property of watermelon is the ability to remove decomposition products, toxins and other harmful substances from the liver.
There are even watermelon-based recipes for therapeutic cleansing of the body.
Since this berry consists of 94% water, and the pulp of the product includes vitamins such as E, C, A, PP, B vitamins, it is able not only to remove all toxins from the body, but also to saturate it with useful substances.
2. Dietary product
Based on all of the above, let's add another useful item to the watermelon piggy bank. &8212; if you clean watermelon in summer or during the warm period, then you can also lose a couple of extra pounds.
The product is rich in vitamins, as well as useful minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium , therefore, it will help to cleanse the liver of toxins, remove excess bile, and a calorie content not exceeding 30 kcal will help to get closer to the cherished parameters of 90:60:90 without starving yourself.
3. Getting rid of stagnant bile
The cleansing properties of watermelon berries will also be useful for people suffering from cholecystitis and pancreatitis. With these diseases, only fresh berries can be eaten and it is advisable to take them directly from the melon. Avoid untested products that may contain large amounts of chemicals.
Fresh watermelons will help get rid of gallbladder congestion and eliminate excess bile from the digestive process. But remember that both of these diseases require a strict diet and eating schedule.
Before introducing watermelon into your diet, be sure to make a tolerance test. If the body has taken a small piece well, and you do not have heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, etc., then you can gradually introduce the berry into the diet.
4. It can be used for diabetes
For people with diabetes, watermelon is usually allowed. Experts recommend eating about 500 g of the product per day.
Watermelon contains the cherished fructose for diabetics, which the body absorbs practically without the participation of insulin. Juicy berry helps diabetics to nourish their body with vitamins and minerals for the coming winter.
But keep in mind that if you suffer from type I diabetes, then for the time of a kind of watermelon diet, you should avoid foods containing too many carbohydrates. In case you are still worried about blood sugar levels, then eat the berry in parts (no more than 200 g three times a day).
Possible harm
In addition to benefits, watermelon can also harm the body, especially with pre-existing diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and other gastrointestinal organs. Therefore, before eating a berry, please consult with your doctor to avoid complications or deterioration of the condition, as well as to clarify whether its use is harmful or not in your particular case.
Among the negative effects of watermelon are:
- An increase in the salt level . Hydrochloric acid, in contact with the damaged surface, causes severe pain and increases ulcers in their diameter. Therefore, it is forbidden to use watermelons for peptic ulcer disease of any type;
- Diuretic effect . In some cases, this item can be attributed to the beneficial properties of the berry, however, with kidney diseases of different etiologies, as well as with stomach ulcers and gastritis, this property of the berry can cause dehydration of the body and, accordingly, a recurrence of pathology;
- Harmful nitrates . Watermelon fruits, perhaps, are the record holders in terms of the amount of nitrates that are pumped into them annually by cunning merchants. An excess of these chemicals can not only worsen the course of existing pathologies, but also cause the development of other diseases. Even healthy people may experience symptoms of severe poisoning, which can lead to a hospital bed. Therefore, remember that watermelons should be purchased only at the end of August &8212; early September and it is advisable to do this on melons or at least from trusted sellers;
- Causes mobility of gallstones. Since it has already been said about the magical choleretic properties of the berry, we will not repeat ourselves. Note only that activation of the movement of bile can lead to activation of gallstones (if any), and this, in turn, can lead to blockage of the bile ducts. The same applies to stones in the genitourinary system and kidneys;
- Allergy. If you have an intolerance to carotenoids (including lycopene), then eating berries will lead to an exacerbation of an allergic reaction &8212; this is a direct contraindication.
How to clean — 4 steps
As we said above, watermelon really cleanses the liver and the whole body. But for maximum efficiency, it is necessary to follow several rules.
Before proceeding directly to the cleaning itself, it is recommended to eat watermelon in regular quantities for several days &8212; several slices a day. This is necessary to prepare the body for eating a large amount of watermelon. It will also help to make sure that you do not have painful sensations after using this product.
The process of therapeutic cleansing itself takes a week and consists of the following stages:
- First, calculate the portion that you will consume. To do this, use the following calculation principle: for 10 kg of your weight, there is a kilogram of fresh berry pulp. If, for example, you weigh 70 kg, then you will need 7 kg of watermelon. Each patient should calculate the portions themselves. The calculated dose should be divided for the whole day.
- For 7 days, eat only watermelon every day, evenly dividing your portion for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat more often, for example, 5 times a day. You can supplement such a diet with black bread, but no more than 3 slices should be consumed per day. All other products must be excluded. There are no restrictions on water consumption, but keep in mind that watermelon itself contains a large amount of liquid, so water consumption can be reduced. Tea and coffee are not completely prohibited, but they should be limited.
- By the end of the week's cleaning, i.e. on the seventh day, you need to drink 2 capsules of Soda at 3 a.m. and take a bath. Lie down in hot water for a while and relax. This will allow you to completely remove toxins from the liver, as well as get rid of sand and stones. This procedure will help to expand the bile ducts. Some experts even advise eating watermelon while in the bath, but it's up to you.
- After finishing the final procedure, do an exercise that will help get rid of toxins. Stand on your toes and immediately drop to your heels. All movements should be sharp. Repeat the dilution 10 times. Keep in mind that after this you may experience unpleasant or even painful sensations in your right side. If you notice such painful sensations, then take a bath again and return to a hot bath.
What should I do if I have pain after eating?
Can the liver and other gastrointestinal organs hurt after eating watermelon? In theory, this should not be the case. Why is this happening?
It is quite possible that you have some pathologies in which it is forbidden to eat watermelon (for example, cholelithiasis or urolithiasis). This causes pain in the liver area.
Very often such feelings arise if you have eaten a low-quality watermelon, packed with nitrates . This often ends not only with liver pain, but also nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Especially a lot of nitrates accumulate in the seeds (bones) of watermelon &8212; it is necessary to exclude their ingestion.
Sometimes some patients mistake kidney pain for pain in the liver area. Since watermelon is a strong diuretic product, people with weak kidneys should not get carried away with its use. The kidneys cannot cope with so much fluid and fail. Therefore, pain in the right side may signal problems with the kidneys, not with the liver.
Neglect of medical care can lead to deterioration of the condition, and it would be a shame to miss the moment when you could effortlessly help your body cope with the problem.
In what diseases can it be eaten?
The final decision on whether it is possible to eat watermelon for a specific liver disease must be made only by your doctor. In no case can such a decision be made on your own, since you may have third-party deviations in which eating watermelon is prohibited or undesirable. Below we will give only general information for familiarization.
Cirrhotic lesion
Both watermelons and melons are natural purifiers of liver tissues from toxins and bile. Due to the high content of liquid and nutrient fibers, these fruits help to remove all decomposition products from the body and at the same time nourish the organs with useful substances. The diuretic properties of these products eliminate swelling.
Melons will be the most useful for cirrhosis, since they are the most natural and saturated with useful macro- and microelements. They can be used to clean the liver and genitourinary ducts.
Fatty hepatosis
In fatty liver hepatosis, as well as in cirrhosis, the decision to include watermelon in the menu in any form is made only by your doctor.
The cleansing functions of watermelon will help with the initial stages of liver obesity. The fruit will help to remove toxins, toxins and excess bile from the body. This will prevent the development of pathology and prevent further deterioration of the liver.
Organ enlargement
First of all, it is necessary to determine what led to an enlarged liver. The correct diagnosis is half the success of the treatment. Then, when the pathology is detected, you can make a diet.
Usually, when the liver is enlarged, watermelon is allowed to be consumed, due to its cleansing properties and rich in useful components of the composition. But everything is a good measure, so start with small portions, do not get carried away, as this can lead to dehydration, diarrhea, indigestion and problems with the digestive tract.
A properly formulated dietary menu will help to improve the functioning of the liver in a natural and safe way and avoid the development of undesirable liver pathologies.
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Conclusion
Watermelon &8212; is a unique berry with a lot of useful properties. It is even used in folk medicine as an effective cleansing component. But it should be used wisely not only in medicine, but also in cooking. Many chronic diseases do not tolerate watermelon in the diet.
So before using this product in food, carefully familiarize yourself with its properties, principles of use and possible side effects. This will help to avoid unpleasant complications and get the maximum pleasure and benefit from this summer treat.
