Nutrition experts warn against combining watermelon with bread due to blood sugar concerns

Nutrition experts caution that pairing watermelon with bread can cause digestive discomfort and spike blood sugar levels, especially in sensitive individuals, highlighting the importance of mindful consumption during summer.

Watermelon is one of summer’s staple fruits, valued for its hydration and its vitamins A and C, but nutrition experts say the way it is eaten can matter as much as the fruit itself. El Balad, citing the German-language site Absatz.media, reported that Russian nutritionist Daria Rusakova has warned that pairing watermelon with bread may be uncomfortable for some people and can also drive blood sugar higher more quickly than watermelon alone.

According to Healthline and Cleveland Clinic, watermelon has a relatively high glycaemic index because it contains natural sugars, especially fructose, while offering very little fibre. That combination means some people may experience a faster rise in blood sugar, particularly if they have diabetes, insulin resistance or poor glucose tolerance. The fruit’s fructose content can also make it harder to digest for sensitive individuals.

Rusakova said the bread-and-watermelon combination can increase the intake of both fructose and carbohydrates at the same time, which may contribute to bloating, gas and fermentation in the gut. Other nutrition sources note that overconsumption of watermelon can cause digestive discomfort, especially in people who are sensitive to FODMAPs, a group of fermentable carbohydrates that can trigger symptoms in some people.

She also cautioned against adding soy sauce to watermelon, saying the sodium load could encourage fluid retention and be unhelpful for people with high blood pressure or swelling. Health professionals generally say watermelon can still be part of a balanced diet, including for some people with diabetes, but portion size and individual tolerance remain important.