Watermelon for gallstones: can you eat it and in what quantities?

The choleretic properties of watermelon are a well-known fact, and the benefits of consuming this berry for cholecystitis are beyond doubt. However, the product has a number of contraindications that must be taken into account so as not to cause even more harm to the body. Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have gallstones? We’ll tell you in this article.

Chemical composition and calorie content of the product

100 g of the edible part of watermelon contains 26.9 kcal.

The chemical composition is presented in the table:

Beneficial properties for the gallbladder

The formation of stones that clog the ducts of the liver and gallbladder is associated with a violation of the outflow of bile. This occurs because the secretion, synthesized by liver cells and containing salts, bilirubin and cholesterol, begins to thicken. Improper metabolism in the body is one of the reasons causing the development of the disease.

Reference. When consuming watermelon, the flow of bile improves, existing stones are removed, and the formation of new ones slows down.

As a natural diuretic with a diuretic effect, watermelon accelerates the formation of urine and removes excess fluid from tissues, which contributes to:

• relieving swelling caused by stagnation of bile and normalizing blood pressure;
• preservation of cells, vessel walls and capillaries from destruction;
• removing toxins and waste from the body.

B vitamins, as well as A and E, help fight the disease by promoting:

• acceleration of metabolic processes in the body;
• normalization of water-salt balance;
• breaking down fats and protecting the liver from their effects;
• increasing the elasticity of the walls of the gallbladder and strengthening them;
• restoration of liver cells;
• improving blood circulation and hematopoietic processes;
• general strengthening of the body, increasing its protective properties.

Vitamin C, macro- and microelements strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Antioxidants have a protective effect on cells and membranes.

Carbohydrates (fructose and glucose) nourish liver tissue and contribute to their normal functioning.

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Is it possible to eat watermelon if you have gallstones?

Signs that the flow of bile is impaired due to the presence of sand or stones:

• decreased appetite;
• nausea and frequent belching;
• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• bitterness in the mouth.

Due to the choleretic properties of the product, it is possible to eat the berry if you have gallstones, but there are exceptions:

• the size of the stones is too large;
• the presence of concomitant pathologies and other diseases for which watermelon is contraindicated.

For sand and small stones

Consisting of more than 90% water, watermelon thins thickened bile, and the diuretic effect of the product helps to dilate blood vessels and bile ducts clogged with stones.

As a result of this effect, grains of sand and small stones (no more than a few millimeters in diameter) along with liquid secretions are released naturally through the intestines.

For large stones in the gall bladder

If there are large stones in the gall bladder, consuming any products or drugs that have a diuretic effect is not only undesirable, but dangerous.

Attention! If you have large stones, eating watermelon can lead to inflammation, pain and even rupture of the ducts.

It is possible to get rid of large stones only through surgery, and eating watermelon will only worsen the situation.

For stones with accompanying pathologies

The presence of stones in the gall bladder can cause associated pathologies:

• biliary pancreatitis, which occurs as a result of bile entering the pancreatic duct;
• cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder;
• cholangitis is an infectious inflammation of the bile ducts.

Due to the content of watermelon in a large amount of dietary fiber that is not processed by enzymes, the high concentration of carbohydrates and the choleretic properties of the product, which increase the secretion of pancreatic juice, eating the berry creates additional stress on the pancreas.

Important! Eating watermelon with biliary pancreatitis is undesirable, and during an exacerbation of the disease it is strictly prohibited.

For cholecystitis and cholangitis, the use of watermelon, which improves the flow of bile, is recommended during remission in small quantities.

In the case of chronic cholecystitis, it is useful to have a fasting day once a week, eating 1.5 kg of pulp in 6 meals.

In folk medicine, for pathologies of the biliary system, to improve the outflow of bile, prevent its stagnation, relieve inflammation and dissolve small stones, medicines prepared on the basis of:

• watermelon peel;
• seeds;
• juice

Measure of watermelon consumption for cholelithiasis

How much watermelon can you eat if you have cholelithiasis:

1. If the disease is limited by the presence of sand, it is recommended to consume 0.5 kg of berries during the day, dividing the portion into 2 doses.
2. For small stones - 200 g of product 1-2 times a week.

Features of use

To ensure that eating watermelon for gallstones brings only benefits, you need to follow a few simple recommendations:

1. Do not use the product instead of other food or water, or in the morning on an empty stomach.
2. Introduce the fruit into the diet, starting with one slice and gradually increasing the amount consumed to the permitted norm.
3. Use the product as a snack between main meals and do not drink it with water or other liquid.
4. Eat berries in moderation, adhering to the norms suggested by experts.
5. Do not eat watermelon too cold, as this will compress the gallbladder and cause pain.
6. There are only fruits that ripen naturally, acquiring them from the second half of August to mid-October.
7. If you feel worse, exclude the product from your diet.

For gallstone disease, not only watermelon pulp benefits, but also the seeds and especially the peel due to its high content of vitamins and minerals.

Read also:

How to eat watermelon for cystitis: how much you can eat during the day

Compatibility of watermelon with milk and other products

What is the glycemic index of watermelon, and what nutritionists think about it?

Healthy recipes

Salad with fresh vegetables and cheese:

1. Cut into small pieces 1 cucumber, 1 bell pepper, 3 tomatoes and 300 g of watermelon pulp.
2. Add 200 g of chopped cheese.
3. Add salt, season with sunflower oil (2-3 tablespoons) and mix.

Curd dessert:

1. Cut 300 g of watermelon pulp into cubes.
2. Add 200 g of low-fat cottage cheese.
3. Mix everything with a small amount of honey.

Fruit and berry cocktail:

1. Using a blender, grind the watermelon pulp.
2. Add banana, strawberries or other fruits to which there are no allergic reactions.

The peel is cut into pieces and dried in the oven, then poured with water in a ratio of 1:1 and boiled over low heat for 30 minutes. The decoction, cooled to room temperature, is taken 200 ml 3 times a day before meals.

The seeds are dried, purified water with a small amount of honey or sugar syrup or milk is added to them and left for 7 hours, stirring occasionally. Drink half a glass of the infusion before meals.

Important! Before you start using watermelon-based folk remedies for gallstone disease, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Possible harm and contraindications

If the product is abused, the body may be harmed by:

• active movement of stones leads to blockage of the bile ducts;
• a sharp contraction of the gallbladder causes disorders and pain.

During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the product should also be excluded from the diet, resuming use no earlier than 7-20 days after the disappearance of pain.

The berry is contraindicated for consumption when:

• exacerbation of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastritis;
• colitis;
• the presence of large stones;
• pyelonephritis;
• kidney stones;
• exacerbation of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).

The negative effect of the berry on the body of a person suffering from gallstone disease is possible in the presence of diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Attention! Watermelon is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

Overeating increases the risk of allergic reactions and diarrhea.

Conclusion

A careful approach to choosing food will help in the fight against any disease, including gallstones. In the absence of large gallstones and other contraindications to eating watermelon, eating this tasty, juicy berry in moderation, as well as medicinal decoctions and infusions of seeds and peels, will provide significant benefits to the patient’s body.