Teacher’s ‘melon seed’ comment sparks backlash — health experts say eating them is actually beneficial

Korean melons / Yonhap

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A South Korean teacher is facing criticism after claiming that children who eat Korean melon seeds are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds — a remark that has ignited debate online and drawn attention to misconceptions about food and health.

The controversy began when a current teacher, identified as A, posted on the anonymous workplace app Blind. In the post, the teacher wrote, "My husband eats Korean melon seeds too. I didn’t notice when we were dating, but after marriage, I started to feel differences even in small things."

The teacher went on to say, "I see many children at school, and those who eat fruit seeds are usually from single-parent families or households that are not well-off," adding, "I was taught properly about these things growing up."

The comments quickly drew backlash. Many users criticized the teacher for making assumptions about children based on eating habits. "It’s shocking that a teacher judges students by whether they eat Korean melon seeds," one commenter said. Others said, "Whether someone eats seeds or not is a personal choice."

Misconception about Korean melon seeds

Health experts say the belief that Korean melon seeds are harmful is incorrect. While many people discard seeds from fruits and vegetables because they are hard to chew or assumed to be unhealthy, some seeds actually offer nutritional benefits.

Korean melon seeds, in particular, can be helpful for digestion. According to the Korea Food Research Institute, the dietary fiber in Korean melon seeds helps promote bowel movement and relieve constipation. Compounds such as globulin and stearic acid found in the seeds may also help reduce oral inflammation, improve oral hygiene and lessen bad breath.

For people who speak frequently as part of their job, eating Korean melon with the seeds may even be beneficial, as it can help maintain oral health.

Korean melon (chamoe), a popular summer fruit in South Korea, is also rich in folate, an essential nutrient for pregnant women. The soft, white portion surrounding the seeds — known as the placenta — contains particularly high levels of folate, reportedly about five times more than the flesh of the fruit.

Adequate folate intake is important during pregnancy, as deficiency is associated with an increased risk of birth defects. Experts therefore recommend consuming the seed-containing portion of the fruit, especially for expectant mothers.

When to avoid eating the seeds

Despite these benefits, caution is still advised. Because Korean melon seeds contain more moisture than the flesh, they can spoil more easily. If the fruit is not fresh, it is safer to remove the seeds before eating.

Additionally, individuals who tend to have weak digestion or are sensitive to cold foods should be careful. Korean melon is considered a “cooling” food in traditional dietary terms, and consuming too much — especially when chilled — may lead to diarrhea in some people.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.