Four members of one family recently died in India in what was initially treated as suspected food poisoning. The family reportedly ate watermelon kept at home after a dinner of biryani. Within hours they began vomiting, had diarrhoea and fell ill. They were rushed to hospital but could not be saved. The incident has naturally raised the question: can a fruit as ordinary as watermelon really be so dangerous?

According to experts, watermelon itself is not harmful; it is a nutritious, water-rich fruit. But it can be contaminated easily. Because it is high in water and natural sugar, bacteria can multiply quickly in it if it is not stored properly.

Germs can grow especially when cut watermelon is left open for a long time. Storing it in unhygienic conditions or cutting it with a dirty knife also raises the risk of contamination.

Nutritionists say the danger arises when the fruit is contaminated with harmful bacteria such as those behind salmonella infection, listeriosis or disease-causing strains of E. coli. Once in the body, these germs can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pain, and in serious cases dehydration or spreading infection. Systemic infection (sepsis) or complications in vital organs can follow, and without timely treatment the illness can become life-threatening.

In general, death from eating watermelon is very rare. But if a watermelon is badly contaminated it can cause food poisoning, and depending on the circumstances, serious cases can lead to grave health complications or even death. Severe dehydration or infection can be fatal especially for children, the elderly and people with weak immunity. So the risk cannot be dismissed entirely, although such cases are very uncommon.

There are also allegations that in some cases glucose or sugar water is injected into watermelons to make them sweeter. If this is done unhygienically, it can encourage bacterial growth.

Experts say the best time to eat watermelon is during the day, especially in the morning or around midday. It can be eaten as a light snack between meals.

Eating fruit late at night is not forbidden, but digestion slows somewhat at night, so eating contaminated or heavy food then can worsen digestive problems.

Watermelon is a healthy and beneficial fruit, but if it is not stored properly it can cause food poisoning. Although death from eating watermelon is extremely rare, contaminated food can become dangerous at any time.

The report cites NDTV as its source.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.