As summer sets in, a new trend is emerging in China where people hug watermelons while sleeping to cool down. With over 95% water content, watermelons are thought to effectively absorb body heat.

According to Xiong Shulin, director of the Preventive Treatment Center at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, watermelons act like a "natural water pillow," quickly drawing heat away from the body. Additionally, watermelon skin is known in traditional medicine for its cooling properties.

However, Xiong advises that not everyone should hug a watermelon while sleeping, particularly those with weak stomachs, cold constitutions, and vulnerable elderly or children. He suggests wrapping the watermelon in thin cloth for these groups.

Furthermore, some watermelons have prickly skin which may irritate sensitive skin; it’s important to clean them thoroughly and remove any prickles before use.

In fact, a reporter from a Chinese media outlet tested the cooling effects of hugging a watermelon, finding that their skin temperature dropped from 36.2°C to 33.6°C after an hour, a decrease of 2.6 degrees.