Can Tomatoes and Watermelons Be Eaten Together?

Tomatoes and watermelons are both commonly found fruits and vegetables. From the perspective of their food properties, they are both considered as cooling foods. Eating them appropriately during summer can help to cool down the body, relieve heat, quench thirst, and also play a role in supplementing vitamins and minerals. Generally speaking, there are no contraindications for eating tomatoes and watermelons together. However, for individuals with weak gastrointestinal systems, there are some precautions to be aware of when consuming these foods.

Can Tomatoes and Watermelons be eaten together?

Yes, tomatoes and watermelons can be eaten together. Tomatoes are acidic and eating them on an empty stomach can strongly irritate the gastric mucosa, potentially leading to or aggravating gastric issues. Additionally, tomatoes contain a large amount of soluble astringent components that can react with stomach acid to form insoluble masses, which may block the pylorus and cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal distension and pain. This is especially likely to occur when tomatoes are consumed together with milk or soy milk. Furthermore, on an empty stomach, it is recommended to consume easily digestible and nutrient-rich liquid foods, while tomatoes are relatively low in nutritional value, containing mainly vitamins, fiber, and water. Eating them on an empty stomach can interfere with gastric absorption and fail to meet the body's physiological needs. Therefore, it is not advisable to eat tomatoes on an empty stomach.

What are the benefits of tomatoes?

Tomatoes have a certain sour taste due to their content of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, which can promote the synthesis of collagen and enhance the absorption of iron. Tomatoes also contain lycopene, which, under certain temperature and fat conditions, can easily be absorbed into the body, scavenging free radicals, preventing aging, and exerting powerful antioxidant effects. Tomatoes also contain dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal motility and maintain intestinal microecology. The sour taste of tomato-based soups can also significantly enhance appetite.

What are the benefits of watermelons?

Watermelons have several beneficial effects. Firstly, they can help to cool the body and relieve heat. The carbohydrates present in watermelons can form osmotic urine, which helps to carry away a large amount of heat through urination, making them particularly effective in relieving heat during summer. Secondly, watermelons can stimulate the production of saliva, effectively quenching thirst. Watermelons themselves contain a relatively high amount of water, further enhancing their ability to quench thirst. Lastly, watermelons provide the body with rich dietary fiber, which can mechanically stimulate intestinal motility, playing a significant role in preventing constipation.