This headline may sound alarming and is circulating on the Internet like a popular scaremongering, but fortunately the reality is much more harmless.

If you discover cracks inside your watermelon while cutting it, you don’t have to throw it away right away.

Here’s the explanation:

A phenomenon called “hollow heart”
The cracks and cavities inside the watermelon are caused by a physiological disorder known as hollow heart.

How it happens: This phenomenon occurs early in the growing season, usually due to insufficient pollination combined with weather fluctuations (such as sudden temperature changes or irregular watering).

The result: The inner tissue of the watermelon does not grow as fast as the rind, which causes the pulp inside to crack.

The Myth of Chemicals and Hormones
A false rumor often circulates online claiming that cracks in watermelons are proof that they have been treated with dangerous growth hormones (such as forchlorfenuron) and have burst from the inside out.

Fact: Hollow hearts are common in both organically grown and wild-grown watermelons. It is a purely natural, mechanical phenomenon and not the result of toxic chemicals.

When can you eat watermelons and when shouldn’t you?

Melon condition – what does it mean? Is it safe to eat?

Cracks only (the core is firm and smells sweet): The classic “hollow heart”. The watermelon often tastes even sweeter because the sugar is concentrated around the cracks. Yes, enjoy!

The flesh is mushy, slimy or smells sour: The watermelon is overripe, fermenting or rotting. No, throw it away!

Conclusion: If the watermelon smells normal, has a nice color and a normal shape, the cracks in the middle are just a cosmetic defect. On the contrary, such a watermelon is paradoxically very sweet.