Watermelon is a refreshing summer fruit for the hot weather, but did you know that it can cause serious health problems and even death in some cases? Mainly for people suffering from chronic kidney disease.According to an article published by the New Atlas website, citing the Annals of Internal Medicine, the reason is that watermelon contains a high amount of potassium, which is essential for the proper functioning of the body, but its excess can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia, which causes heart rhythm disorders, muscle weakness, and even paralysis .
Healthy people generally do not need to worry about consuming watermelon, but for those suffering from chronic kidney disease, eating too much of the fruit can be dangerous. Chronic kidney disease impairs the kidneys’ ability to filter blood and remove waste from the body, and as a result, potassium levels in the blood can rise to dangerous levels.
A small slice of watermelon contains about 320 mg of potassium, while the content of a 40 cm slice of watermelon can reach 5060 mg, which is approximately one and a half times the recommended daily amount. Therefore, it is important that people suffering from chronic kidney disease avoid consuming watermelon excessive or they will eat it in small quantities.