Is watermelon a diuretic or not: diuretic properties and rules of use

Fruit pulp watermelon inhibits the reabsorption of water and salts in the kidney tubules, increases the rate of urine formation, reduces the fluid content in tissues and serous cavities. In folk medicine, watermelon is used as a diuretic for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the liver, kidneys, arterial hypertension, and heart failure.

In the article we will answer in detail the question of whether watermelon is a diuretic or not, we will tell you how it affects the urinary system and kidneys, what are the features of its use as a diuretic and whether it is possible to lose weight by eating watermelon.

Is watermelon a diuretic or not?

The answer is yes. Watermelon has a pronounced diuretic effect: increases urine secretion and promotes the removal of water and salts from the kidneys. Watermelon is inferior in effectiveness to pharmaceutical diuretic drugs, but it is absolutely safe for health, practically does not cause adverse reactions or complications, and has excellent taste.

Diuretic properties

In traditional medicine, watermelon is used:

• as an effective diuretic;
• to dissolve stones in the urinary system, which stimulates their rapid and painless removal from the body;
• purified mineral resin normalizes metabolic processes and urination, improves digestion, reduces the concentration of calcium and oxalic acid, which reduces the risk of stone formation in the urinary system.

How to use watermelon as a diuretic

For medicinal purposes, the pulp is consumed fresh, peeled, as a snack between meals.. It is not advisable to combine watermelon with other products, even melon and other fruits. You cannot drink watermelon with water, juice, tea, or eat it with bread. In some cases, it is more efficient to process the pulp into juice.

The daily norm, thanks to which it is possible to achieve the desired effect, is determined in each individual case differently, paying attention to the characteristics of the onset and course of the disease, the age and gender of the patient, and the presence of contraindications.

As a diuretic, experts recommend consuming 2-2.5 kg of pulp per day for an adult. If we are talking about juice, then its single dose is limited to 500 ml. Watermelon drink can be mixed with apple, melon, and strawberry juice.

For reference. The juice of the white pulp of the fruit is considered more valuable than the pink one. This drink is characterized by a more pronounced diuretic effect.

Purposes of use as a diuretic

Watermelon pulp is widely used in folk medicine. It is recommended to use it for the treatment and prevention of complications and relapses of hypertension, diseases of the liver, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.

With the help of watermelons you can adjust your body weight and reduce weight. As a bonus - improved skin condition.

Treatment

The pulp and peel of watermelon are used as medicinal raw materials. Watermelons are especially useful for kidney stones. Once in the body, the amino acids present in the composition increase the alkalinity of the urine, the salts become soluble and are removed out along with the flow of urine.

This ensures a favorable outcome of the disease, minimizes the risk of relapses and possible complications. In addition, watermelon acts as an anti-inflammatory agent: it inhibits the activity of inflammation and removes irritation of the mucous membrane of the urinary system.

Watermelon is a great helper with high blood pressure. It reduces peripheral vascular resistance by reducing plasma volume, thereby lowering blood pressure. The positive properties of watermelon for arterial hypertension include the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, increase the strength and elasticity of vascular walls and small capillaries.

Watermelon is used as a diuretic for diseases of the cardiovascular system accompanied by edema. Removing excess fluid and salts from the body helps reduce swelling. Under the influence of the berry, the flow of blood to the heart decreases, due to which the load on the myocardium is reduced, and signs of stagnation of blood circulation disappear.

Weight loss

Losing weight with watermelon is delicious and easy. An obvious advantage of berries for weight loss is their low calorie content (30 kcal per 100 g). The fruit pulp contains virtually no fat (0.2 g), but is rich in carbohydrates (7.2 g), and to a lesser extent in proteins (0.6 g). The pulp contains plant fiber, which cleanses the digestive tract, removes excess fluid from the body, resulting in weight loss.

Pectin fibers improve digestion, normalize fat metabolism, accelerate lipolysis, normalize metabolism, reduce cholesterol levels, increase endurance and work capacity, which leads to increased physical activity and additional calorie burning.

For reference. Watermelon, due to the presence of fiber, provides quick and long-lasting satiety, which allows you to reduce the volume of subsequent portions of food and avoid snacking.

There are several options for consuming watermelon in order to normalize and reduce body weight. A more strict option is a five-day express diet, which involves the consumption of fruit pulp at the rate of 1 kg per 10 kg of person’s weight and free liquid. Water is necessary to maintain water-electrolyte balance, remove waste and toxins that are released during the decomposition of fat deposits. The weight for five days is 5 kg.

The most optimal is a ten-day gentle diet, in which the diet, in addition to watermelon pulp, is supplemented with rye, bran or whole grain bread, water, and green tea. The average weight loss reading is 5-7 kg, with physical activity it can reach up to 10 kg. If you exit the diet correctly, the results can be permanently consolidated.

Contraindications

Watermelon has contraindications that need to be identified and excluded in advance. Before using the berry as a diuretic to treat diseases or to lose weight, be sure to consult a specialist.

Absolute contraindication - individual intolerance one or more components of the composition, chronic renal failure, the formation of coral stones and large stones in the kidneys, phosphaturia (the presence of phosphate salts in the urine sediment).

To other diseases and pathological conditions, when eating watermelon may cause harm to health, including diabetes, diarrhea, colic.It is recommended to use with caution for children, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and elderly people.

Read also:

How to cook fried watermelon seeds and their benefits.

How to choose a ripe and sweet watermelon.

Is it possible to eat watermelon with cholecystitis and pancreatitis?

Conclusion

During the watermelon season, fresh pulp can be consumed every day, provided there are no contraindications. It contains B vitamins, sodium, magnesium, iron and other beneficial and nutritious components that improve overall well-being and health.

Particular attention to watermelon should be paid to people with diseases of the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, accompanied by the formation of edema. Watermelon has a pronounced diuretic effect, it removes salts and excess fluid from the body, neutralizes swelling. Watermelon also perfectly cleanses the body and promotes healthy and effective weight loss.