Excellent for health, it almost cost several people their lives.
In summer, fruits quench our thirst and provide us with all the vitamins we need. But when consumed in excessive quantities, some can be dangerous. One of them, although excellent for our health, almost cost the lives of several people, reports a study published in the Annals of internal medicine of the American College of Physicians.
In detail, these 3 people developed severe hyperkalemia, in other words, a high level of potassium in the blood, which could be fatal if not treated quickly. The first case, a 56-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and kidney failure, was admitted to intensive care after losing consciousness. His heart rate was abnormally low. He reported eating this fruit every night for two months before his hospitalization. The second case, a 72-year-old man with a history of heart and kidney disease, presented to the hospital following a cardiac shock. His heart rate was also very low. After a thorough questioning, he revealed that he had consumed 2 glasses of juice from this fruit per day for about a month before his presentation to the hospital. Finally, the third case, a 36-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease, presented with persistent asymptomatic hyperkalemia during her monthly tests carried out as part of her dialysis. She also admitted to eating large amounts of the fruit for at least 3 weeks.
These three people were taken care of in time. After reducing their consumption and taking medication for some, their blood potassium levels decreased significantly. Composed mainly of water, watermelon (the fruit in question here) is also very rich in potassium. A large slice contains 320 mg according to thestudy. This mineral is essential for the body because it contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, normal muscle function and the maintenance of normal blood pressure. But in excess, it is dangerous and can cause muscle weakness, arrhythmias and cardiac conduction abnormalities that can lead to death, especially if it is not properly eliminated by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. In healthy patients, the risks remain low. On the other hand, they are higher or even fatal in cases of history or advanced kidney disease.
Therefore, you should not overdo it with watermelon: do not exceed 500 g (two to three slices) per day and not every day.Watermelon is a popular summer fruit and although bananas, potatoes and tomatoes are known to cause hyperkalemia, the risk of hyperkalemia after excessive watermelon consumption is often overlooked.“, the researchers note.