The season’s first watermelon and melon – a risk or a delicious treat?

With the onset of summer, market stalls in cities and villages fill up with red watermelons and sweet melons, catching your eye. Many people hurry to decorate their table with fresh fruits during the hot days. However, biologist Vitaliy Napolov notes that there are several important tips before reaching for these tempting fruits.

What's the issue: what is the risk with early watermelons and melons?

According to the biologist, watermelons and melons sold in the first months of summer are often artificially ripened quickly. Farmers use nitrogen fertilizers to accelerate the growth of the fruit. At first glance, a ripe, juicy watermelon or melon may seem healthy and tasty. But such fast-grown fruits have a high nitrate content.

Nitrates are substances that help the plant grow and ripen faster, but they can be dangerous to human health. Especially for children, the elderly, and people with gastrointestinal diseases, consuming early watermelons and melons can lead to serious complications.

How can you detect nitrates?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to visually, by taste or smell, determine whether there are many nitrates in a watermelon or melon. Nitrates do not affect the color, structure, or juice of the fruit — so there’s no way for a consumer to “tell by eye” if a product is dangerous.

Specialist’s advice: when and where is it safe to buy?

Specialists recommend buying only from trusted places — markets or large supermarkets that have laboratory control. Fruits with laboratory certificates inspire more confidence. In addition, it is better to wait until mid or late summer, when watermelons and melons ripen naturally and nitrate levels do not exceed the norm.

The right choice is a guarantee of health

It’s hard to say that anyone doesn’t want to refresh themselves with a cool watermelon or melon in the summer. But health must come first. Don’t rush for cheap, early, colorful watermelons — listen to the biologists’ advice: buy from trusted sources, certified markets, and most importantly, choose fruits in their natural season.

The sweetest and healthiest fruit of the year will bring true pleasure and health only if it is grown naturally and at the right time. Don’t hurry — enjoy all the summer’s gifts safely and healthily! Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!