Many people question the claim that watermelon contains a lot of sugar , while others take it for granted. To clear up this question, it is better to turn to science, and inquire into the fructose and glucose content of this fruit, and what positive and negative effects its consumption produces. In the following lines we develop this topic, which is interesting for all those who take care of their diet.
Watermelon, as we already indicated in the introduction, contains two types of sugar:
- It is a type of water-soluble sugar or carbohydrate, which the body uses as its main source of energy. It is adsorbed in the intestine, from where it passes directly into the blood.
- Fructose (or levulose) . It is another type of water-soluble sugar, which is contained in almost all fruits, hence its name. It is also adsorbed in the intestine, from where it is taken to the liver, to convert it into glucose.
It is interesting that the chemical union of one unit of each of the two aforementioned sweetening substances gives rise to sucrose. This last substance is table sugar, which is mainly extracted from sugar cane.
Is it true that watermelon contains a lot of sugar?
To answer this question, you must first know that this fruit contains 3.5% fructose and 1.5% glucose by weight, so its sugar content is 5.0%. In contrast, mango has a sugar content of 14% and dates 63%, which makes watermelon comparatively low in sugar.
It highlights that more than 70% of the sugar content corresponds to fructose, a healthier sugar than glucose or sucrose . However, high consumption of this type of carbohydrate is not recommended either, as it reduces leptin levels. And this increases appetite, inducing the body to eat more food, and if they contain fructose, a vicious circle is created, which tends to increase body weight.
So it is clear that although it is a lie that watermelon contains a lot of sugar, it is not healthy to consume it in excessive quantity. But its regular and dosed intake brings health benefits, even for those who suffer from diabetes.
