watermelon
#274148 - 07/15/06 10:30 AM
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sarah123
Reged: 06/19/06
Posts: 71
Loc: canada
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I was just wondering if it is safe for me to eat watermelon.Can anyone tell me?
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Re: watermelon
#274167 - 07/15/06 02:41 PM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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The USDA Nutrient Laboratories database available at
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=12354500
shows that 100 grams of watermelon contains 6.2 grams of sugar of which 1.21 is sucrose, 1.58 is glucose (dextrose) and 3.36 grams is fructose. Watermelon like most melons contains a high amount of fructose. In fact there is more than twice as much free fructose compared to free glucose. It is a high fructose food.
Recently it has been shown that a large percentage of individuals that have inexplicable GI problems such as IBS test positive for fructose malabsorption.
Fructose is a simple sugar. When a molecular of fructose combines with a molecule of glucose (dextrose) it forms a molecule of sucrose or white sugar. Many individuals with fructose malabsorption can tolerate some sugar because the fructose and glucose are in precisely equal amounts. The GI problems appear to be related to the ratio of the free glucose to free fructose.
I am highly fructose sensitive. Through experimentation I have found that I can tolerate most foods that contain less free fructose than free glucose. In very moderate amount I can handle some that have a bit more fructose than glucose. Unfortunately, the USDS food database does not give this information for many foods. I cannot eat watermelon.
For more information see
Choi, Y. K., F. C. Johlin, R. W. Summers, M. Jackson, and S. S. C. Rao, 2003: Fructose Intolerance: An Under-Recognized Problem. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 98, 1348-1353.
Skoog, S. M. and A. E. Bharucha, 2004: Dietary Fructose and Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Review. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 99, 2046-2050.
http://www.bashaar.org.il/files/101022005111814.pdf
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Edited by Syl (07/16/06 05:32 PM)
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Everyone has different tolerances when it comes to IBS. Personally, I can't handle watermelon on it's own and can have only a couple small bites on a SF base.
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Unfortunately, like all the other insoluble fiber foods, you won't know until you try it - everyone's tolerances are different.
Personally, I can eat as much of the stuff as I want, but NEVER on its own - I have to eat it after a meal that contains a good amount of soluble fiber.
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I find it curious that once upon a time I was able to eat watermelon....lots of it. It was one of my snack "staples" especially at work, and I thought it was the healthy option. About three years ago, I had a severe reaction to it. It took me about two or three more incidents to figure out watermelon is now one of my biggest triggers.
I never knew why I have such reactions....but I do now. Thanks very much for the information. Of course, I LOVE watermelon...it's like others "chocolate" cravings...Crazy I know!!!!
-------------------- Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away
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