In a TikTok posted by butttalkstv, a woman (who appears to be a doctor) made a bold claim that watermelon is an underrated hack to help you poop.
“The secret’s in the name: water,” she says. “Water’s an essential laxative that keeps your colon goin’ and flowin’. Watermelon is chock full of it—nearly 92% is water.”
The rumor spread faster than a fart in the wind, with satisfied poopers claiming watermelon cured their chronic constipation. Some even appear to have overcorrected their problem.
“I ate half of a watermelon yesterday night and I haven’t stopped having diarrhea since,” one dude commented.
Butt is there any science to back up the claim that this sweet, succulent fruit can truly trigger a deuce? Or are people just experiencing the placebo effect on the porcelain throne?
In this article, we investigate what’s inside a slice of watermelon and whether those compounds can really have a laxative effect.
Does Watermelon Make You Poop?
Watermelon doesn’t usually trigger an instant bowel movement—hence why it didn’t make it into our power rankings of foods that make you poop fast. However, that doesn’t mean it’s useless if you need to unclog your colon. Watermelon’s combination of high water content and short-chain carbs can create the perfect storm for pooping.
Let’s unpack four factors that make watermelon a (potential) natural laxative.
Water Content
As the name implies, watermelon is loaded with water. In fact, it consists of 92% water. Being fully hydrated ensures your turds can easily slide through out of your butt, so it stands to reason that chowing down on watermelon could soften your stools and help you poop.
That said, if you’re already hydrated, it’s unlikely that a slice of watermelon is going to send you running to the nearest bathroom.
FODMAP Content
Watermelon has a high FODMAP content, which refers to a group of short-chain carbs that are either non-digestible or slowly absorbed in your gut:
- Oligosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Monosaccharides
- Polyols
Watermelon has about 9 grams of natural sugar per cup, but the main culprit here is fructose, a monosaccharide (AKA simple sugar). Most people don’t have trouble digesting fructose. However, it’s notorious for causing cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Lycopene
Watermelon gets its pinkish-red color from lycopene: an organic compound and powerful antioxidant. Whole lycopene hasn’t been shown to have a laxative effect, it can indirectly help you poop because of its beneficial effects on your overall digestive health.
For example, lycopene can improve your gut microbiome, which is essential for proper digestion and regular bowel movements.
Electrolytes
Watermelon provides two essential electrolytes: potassium and magnesium. In addition to helping you recover from a brutal workout (or a brutal hangover), these electrolytes boost your bowel function in a few ways:
- They regulate fluid balance, making your stool soft and easy to pass
- They support proper muscle function, including the smooth muscles in your digestive tract that propel food through your gut to your butt
- They aid in nerve signaling, which helps your butt tell your brain it’s time to take a dump
Does Watermelon Have Fiber?
A lot of dudes assume watermelon helps you poop because it’s a type of fruit, and fruit is loaded with dietary fiber. It’s true that many fruits such as apples, raspberries, blueberries, and prunes are packed with fiber, which is essential to kickstart your colon. But the same can’t be said about watermelon.
A cup of diced watermelon contains a measly 0.6 grams of fiber—just 2% of your daily recommended intake.
Bottom line: Anyone who says watermelon makes you poop because of the fiber content is full of shit. If you feel the sudden urge to crap your pants after eating watermelon, blame the combination of water and fructose.
We’re Ready for Your Watermelon Poops
As you can see, the jury’s still out on whether watermelon can earn a spot in our power rankings of poop fuel. Nevertheless, we know watermelon is often accompanied by other summer staples, including barbeque, hot dogs, and copious amounts of booze. At a certain point, it can be hard to know which portion of your plate sent you sprinting to the porta-potty.
Accordingly, we’re calling on all members of DUDE Nation to supply plenty of wipes when attending a cookout. Think of it as an insurance policy against skid marks and spicy butt.
Next time you hit the produce section grabbing watermelon, make a detour to the TP aisle to stock up on DUDE Wipes. Your butt will thank you later.
