Many people enjoy eating watermelon, especially in the summer months when it is in season. Watermelon is made up of about 92% water and contains important nutrients like vitamins A, C and B6. However, some people wonder if it is safe to drink milk soon after eating watermelon or if you need to wait a period of time. There has been a myth that drinking milk after eating watermelon can cause stomach upset, cramps or diarrhea. But is this really true? Let’s take a closer look at whether or not you need to wait to drink milk after eating watermelon.
The Myth Behind Watermelon and Milk
The belief that consuming milk soon after eating watermelon can cause stomach upset or diarrhea stems from the idea that the combination may “curdle” in the stomach. Some people believe that because watermelon is acidic and milk is alkaline, these differences in pH levels cause the milk to curdle and lead to indigestion. This theory is behind advice to avoid drinking milk within an hour or two after eating watermelon.
However, this is just a myth and there is no scientific evidence that combining watermelon and milk causes issues. The pH levels and acidity of foods do not have much effect inside the human digestive system. The stomach maintains an acidic environment to break down food and nutrients, regardless of what you eat. So the food you consume does not impact the pH balance significantly.
Watermelon’s Effects on Digestion
Watermelon does have high water content and is considered a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production. The citrulline in watermelon can also help relax blood vessels. This helps promote circulation and blood flow, which aids digestion. However, watermelon itself should not irritate the digestive tract or cause diarrhea in most people.
Some individuals may experience loose stools or diarrhea after eating large amounts of watermelon due to the high fiber and water contents. But this effect is from the watermelon itself, not from consuming milk after eating the watermelon.
Amount of Watermelon Consumed
How much watermelon you eat can also determine if you experience any digestive issues. Eating a regular serving of watermelon is unlikely to cause problems. But if you eat a very large amount of watermelon, the high fiber content coupled with the high water content may affect bowel movements and cause loose stool or diarrhea in some people.
Individual Tolerances
Everyone’s digestive system is different. Some people may be more prone to diarrhea from sudden high intakes of fiber or water. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal conditions may be more likely to experience diarrhea after eating a lot of watermelon due to their hypersensitive bowels.
Safety of Consuming Milk After Watermelon
There are no specific rules or guidelines around how soon you can drink milk after eating watermelon. Nutrition experts agree that enjoying milk and watermelon together is completely safe and does not cause stomach issues for most people.
The main concern would be for those with lactose intolerance. The lactose in milk may cause gas, bloating or diarrhea in lactose intolerant individuals when consumed by itself or after watermelon.
Outside of lactose intolerance, there is no scientific evidence that drinking milk after eating watermelon causes any gastrointestinal distress or stomach cramps. The combination of milk and watermelon is no more likely to cause diarrhea than watermelon alone would for sensitive individuals.
Tips to Prevent Digestive Issues
Here are some tips to help prevent potential digestive problems when enjoying watermelon and milk:
- Consume moderate portions of watermelon instead of overeating large amounts
- Stay hydrated by drinking water before and after eating watermelon
- Allow time for digestion and wait at least 2-3 hours before intense physical activity
- Choose lactose-free milk or dairy products if you are lactose intolerant
- Listen to your body – avoid foods that seem to irritate your digestive system
Time Needed Between Watermelon and Milk
There is no set amount of time needed between eating watermelon and drinking milk. Most people can enjoy milk immediately after eating watermelon with no issues. Waiting 1-2 hours may help some sensitive individuals better tolerate the combination.
Here is a look at general guidelines based on your situation:
| Situation | Time to Wait |
|---|---|
| No digestive issues | No waiting time needed |
| Prone to diarrhea from high fiber foods | 1-2 hours |
| Have lactose intolerance | Avoid milk altogether or take lactase enzyme |
| Experienced stomach upset previously | 1-3 hours or avoid milk altogether |
Pay attention to your individual experience. If you’ve never had an issue drinking milk after eating watermelon, then there is no reason to wait. But if you’ve experienced stomach cramps, diarrhea or other problems in the past, it may be wise to separate milk and watermelon consumption by 1-3 hours.
The Bottom Line
In most cases, there is no need to avoid or delay drinking milk after eating watermelon. The combination is unlikely to cause stomach upset or other gastrointestinal problems for the majority of people. The myth about watermelon and milk curdling in the stomach is false and not supported by scientific evidence.
However, some people may be more sensitive to digestive changes from increased fiber and water intakes from watermelon. Those prone to diarrhea or with lactose intolerance may want to take some precautions, such as limiting watermelon portions, staying hydrated and waiting 1-3 hours before consuming milk.
In general, though, milk and watermelon can be enjoyed together or separately without concern by most individuals. Pay attention to your own tolerance, but do not feel that you must arbitrarily wait a certain period of time to drink milk after eating watermelon.
Watermelon is a healthy, hydrating fruit that provides key vitamins and minerals. Milk is also nutrient-dense and provides protein, calcium and other important nutrients. There is no need to avoid these healthy foods together when no issues exist. Both can be part of a balanced diet without limits on when they must be consumed.
Summary of Key Points
- The belief that drinking milk after eating watermelon causes indigestion is a myth, not supported by evidence.
- Watermelon and milk do not interact or curdle in the stomach when consumed together or closely together.
- Very large servings of watermelon may cause diarrhea or digestive issues in some individuals.
- People with lactose intolerance should avoid milk or take lactase enzyme supplements as needed.
- No waiting period is required for most people, but 1-3 hours may help sensitive individuals.
- Focus on your own tolerance and experience when deciding time needed between milk and watermelon.