These days, almost everything you find in the market is adulterated. It's become really hard to tell what's real and what's fake. And sadly, watermelons are no different. You've probably heard people talking about watermelons being injected with chemicals. While it might not be happening everywhere, it's a real problem in some places. These injections are used to make the fruit look redder, ripen it faster, extend its shelf life, and just make it look more attractive to buyers.

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How to check your watermelon

You should never eat a watermelon from the market without checking it first.

• When you cut the watermelon, if the red colour looks too dark or is perfectly uniform everywhere, you should be careful.

• Here's a simple test: Take a glass of water and drop a small piece of watermelon into it. If the water starts changing colour, it means the fruit has been injected with dye.

• You can also rub a clean, white cloth on the cut surface. If the colour comes off on the cloth, you can be sure that injections were used to add colour.

• If the fruit has a weird smell or tastes different from a normal watermelon, just throw it away.

• Always wash the watermelon thoroughly with clean water before you cut it.

• Stay away from pre-cut fruits sold in the market. They are a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Watermelons you buy from the market are often warm from being out in the sun. Let them cool down to room temperature. If you're in a hurry to eat it, just soak the whole fruit in a bucket of plain water for some time. Then you can cut and eat it.

Keep this in mind

Food poisoning cases increase during the summer. Bacteria tend to grow much faster in the heat. If you want to stay healthy this summer, make sure you eat only clean and fresh fruits. If you feel sick—like vomiting, dizziness, or stomach pain—after eating any fruit, you should see a doctor right away.

Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is packed with potassium. This helps lower your blood pressure and keeps your nervous system working well. It also has Vitamin B6. This vitamin helps your body digest proteins and boosts your immune system and nerve function. Watermelon is made of more than 90% water, so it's a great way to stay hydrated.