This summer, while many eagerly embraced the trend of sleeping with giant winter melons to beat the heat, others reported disasters after just a few days.

"It exploded. The stench was unbearable, like a burst sewer", a netizen shared.

A woman from Hubei province, central China, advised against this method.

"The melon's pulp and putrid liquid ruined my bedsheets. It was terrible. I had to throw away both the sheets and the melon", she said. "Initially, I just wanted to cool down for the summer, but it unexpectedly caused a big problem for me."

Chinese children hugging winter melons to cool down. Photo: Baidu

The practice of hugging winter melons for body cooling dates back over 650 years in China. During the late Ming dynasty (1368–1644), the encyclopedia "Wuli Xiaoshi" mentioned the trick of using winter melons to cool down on sweltering nights. By the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), the renowned health preservation book "Xian Qing Ou Ji" also described the custom of southern Chinese people sleeping with winter melons in summer.

Winter melons contain up to 95% water, which helps absorb heat through skin contact. Experts explain this is essentially like hugging a cold water bag. Since last year, many adopted this method as a natural, more economical alternative to air conditioning, which can easily cause colds.

According to Ao Qingyan, an agricultural expert at the Chengdu Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, microorganisms penetrate the melon once its protective white coating is damaged by frequent human skin contact.

These organisms ferment inside the melon by breaking down sugars and organic matter, producing CO2 gas. When enough gas accumulates, the melon can explode.

"Hugging the melon all night, especially when covered by a blanket, creates a warm, incubator-like environment for fermentation", Ao explained.

She recommended replacing the melon once a week. "You should regularly touch and inspect the melon. If you detect any soft, swollen parts or a sour smell, dispose of it immediately", the expert stated.

"Hugging winter melons is only a temporary, low-cost method to alleviate summer heat. Due to the risk of explosion and mold growth, it is not an ideal solution. Air conditioning, cooling mats, and cooling pillows are more reliable alternatives with fewer risks", she concluded.

Chinese netizens shared photos of exploded winter melons on their beds. Photo: SCMP

The melon's pulp and liquid soaked into the bedding. Photo: SCMP

Doctor Ding Yiyun from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine at Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated that sleeping with winter melons primarily benefits those suffering from summer heat-induced insomnia or prolonged anxiety and stress. However, individuals with "cold constitutions" (a traditional Chinese medicine concept) should not follow this trend to avoid health issues from cold exposure. The doctor advised hugging the melon for only 10-20 minutes before sleep instead of all night, and regularly replacing or cleaning the melon after use to prevent bacterial buildup.