Watermelon is a nutrient-rich food that’s mostly made of water. Eating it can support hydration and healthy digestion. It’s also a good source of fiber, which helps move food through your digestive tract (the tube that moves food through the body) and keeps good bacteria in your gut balanced.
How Does Watermelon Impact Bowel Movements?
Eating watermelon can help encourage easier and more regular bowel movements. The fruit is about 93% water by weight, supporting healthy hydration in your digestive tract and throughout your body. Proper hydration can help soften stools (poop) and make them easier to pass.
Research suggests that 95% of Americans aren’t meeting their daily fiber needs. Watermelon is also a good source of fiber. One wedge (about one-sixteenth) of a watermelon provides 1.14 grams (g) of fiber. Even a small amount of fiber can add bulk to your stool and help it pass through your intestines. Including watermelon in a well-balanced diet may help prevent constipation and improve overall gut health.
Some people may experience side effects on their bowel movements when eating too much watermelon. Consuming a lot at once may cause an upset stomach or diarrhea, especially in people with sensitive gastrointestinal (GI) systems. This is because watermelon has fructose, a type of sugar that isn’t easily digested.
Other Digestive Effects
Watermelon can affect digestion in good and bad ways, depending on your digestive system and medical history.
Some people experience GI symptoms after eating watermelon because it’s high in fructose, which is hard to digest. When fructose isn’t digested in the small intestine, it passes through to the colon (large intestine), where bacteria break it down. This process can create gas buildup, leading to bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Those with a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be especially sensitive to fructose. Eating watermelon may worsen and make it more challenging to manage flare-ups.