It’s summertime and watermelon is in season! It is a delicious, refreshing summertime treat. It’s sweet, juicy, and a great way to cool off on hot days. However, not all watermelons are as fresh as they look, there are potential risks associated with eating sour watermelon.
Knowing the risks associated with eating bad watermelon is important in order to avoid potential health problems. This blog will cover outcomes and the signs you should look out for to avoid eating bad watermelon.
What happens if you eat bad watermelon? Eating bad watermelon can lead to a number of health problems, such as food poisoning, foodborne illnesses, and nausea. It is important to be aware of the signs of bad watermelon and to take steps to avoid eating bad watermelon.
In many countries, fruits still need to be sold fresh. They are packed or preserved to be used for a long time. Watermelon is a kind of fruit if not preserved properly under suitable temperature can spoil rapidly.
Can Watermelon Go Bad
Yes, it can because fruits that are high in water content will not last as long as foods with less water content. It is important to always pay attention to how long you leave food out. The temperature of the item also matters because bacteria grow fastest at room temperature (37 degrees Fahrenheit) but can quickly be killed by cooking or freezing temperatures.
A strange fact is that the outer part of even a bad watermelon looks Ok. If you preserve it in cut form, it is likely to go bad quite early within one or two days even in the fridge. However, the whole watermelon will take time to spoil if you preserve it in an unripe form. It all depends on how you preserve this fruit and how long you preserve it.
How Long Does Watermelon Take to Go Bad
The storage period of whole and cut watermelon is different. However, both have short storage times depending on temperature.
Whole watermelon should be frozen at room temperature away from direct sunlight. The whole watermelon will take one week to go bad at room temperature. Its taste will change if you try to store the whole watermelon in the freezer. So dont do this.
Sliced watermelon should go in the fridge right after one hour of slicing, otherwise, it will go bad. It can be stored from one to two days in the fridge in sliced form. Note that the freezer temperature is not suitable to keep it fresh and tasty. It will lose its taste even in three hours if you put it in a high-cooling freezer.
Table Of Storage Temperature Of Whole & Sliced Watermelon
| Watermelon | Storage Method | Storage temperature | Storage Limit Days | Storage Limit Hours |
| Whole | Room temperature | 20C to 30C | 3 days to 1 Week | 24 -72Hrs |
| Sliced/.Cut | Fridge | 50-59F | 1 day | 24 hours |
How To Tell When Watermelon Has Gone Bad
There are a few ways to tell if a watermelon is bad.
Strange Smell: One way is to cut into the watermelon and inspect the inside. If the inside of the watermelon is discoloured or has an unpleasant smell, these are signs that the watermelon is bad.
Dark Spots: If you feel a dark reddish spot on the flesh it is the main indication that the fruit has expired.
Extra Soft: Additionally, if the watermelon feels soft to the touch, this is another sign that the watermelon is bad and should not be consumed.
Strange Taste: It tastes extra sugary and juicy. The water content will taste like condensed succulent water.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Watermelon
Eating bad watermelon can lead to a number of foodborne illnesses. The immediate outcome you may feel is food poisoning leading to diarrhoea and vomiting. The list of other health problems you may suffer from the contamination of spoiled watermelon is given below:
Food Poisoning: The early symptom of expired food ingestion is always food poisoning. It starts with upper abdominal pain. It’s a progressive condition and requires immediate treatment.
Diarrhoea: Spoil watermelon can cause diarrhoea. It requires antibiotics and medical treatment to get cured.
Vomiting: Red colour vomit can really scare you after consuming bad melon. Its not blood that you see in vomit, it’s actually the water content of melon.
Abdominal Pain: A common symptom that tells you that you have eaten bad melon is to feel pain in the upper part of the abdomen. This pain will shift from upper to lower when you vomit.
Salmonella & Ecoli: These are bacteria that reproduce inside watermelon when stored incorrectly. Most types of ecoli are not dangerous. But Salmonella can cause inflammation in the intestine.
Weakness or fever: Weakness is not a direct side-effect of eating bad watermelon. It may arise after vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases where patient immunity is low, fever is also recorded.
It is important to be aware of the risks of eating bad watermelon and to take steps to avoid eating bad watermelon.
What Does Spoiled Warermelon Taste Like
Bad watermelon has a distinct taste that is difficult to describe. It can be sour, bitter, or even have a soapy aftertaste. The texture can be mushy or mealy, and the colour can be dull or discoloured. The smell of bad watermelon can also be off-putting, with a pungent aroma that can be unpleasant. All in all, bad watermelon does not taste good and is best avoided.
Bad watermelon tastes sour, acidic, and off-putting. It may have a texture that is mushy and overly soft, or it may be hard and dry. It often has a strange, unpleasant smell and the colour of the flesh may be dull and unappetizing. Eating bad watermelon can leave a bitter aftertaste in your mouth. It’s important to remember that when selecting a watermelon, look for one that is firm, symmetrical, and heavy for its size. Avoid any watermelons with bruises, soft spots, or cuts. Taking the time to select a good watermelon will ensure you have a delicious, sweet, and juicy treat.
Can Bad Watermelon hurt Your Stomach?
Yes, it can disturb the normal activity of the stomach h causing pain to stop. The rind, flesh, and seeds of watermelon can all contain harmful bacteria or mould if the fruit is not properly stored or if it has gone bad.
The acidic reaction of stomach acid and the watery content of bad watermelon can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. To avoid these unpleasant symptoms, it’s important to inspect the watermelon before eating it. Check for any signs of mould or discolouration, and make sure the rind is firm and not soft.
What To Do If You Have Eaten Bad Watermelon
After eating an expired watermelon, the most important thing to do is to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and try to flush out your system. If you start to feel unwell, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
It is always a good idea to monitor your symptoms and keep track of any changes in your health. If you experience vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain, contact your doctor immediately. Finally, if you can, try to determine where the bad watermelon came from so that you can avoid buying from that source in the future.
Conclusion
Eating bad watermelon can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It is important to remember that watermelons can spoil quickly and should be eaten within a few days of purchase. If you have any doubts about the freshness of the watermelon, it is best to discard it.