Cracks inside a watermelon are often a natural condition called “hollow heart.” It occurs during fruit development, commonly associated with pollination problems and growing conditions. The National Watermelon Promotion Board says these melons are safe to eat, and the flesh around the cracks may even taste sweeter because sugars can become concentrated there.
What matters is whether there are actual signs of spoilage. Discard the watermelon if you notice mold, an unpleasant smell, slimy or watery breakdown, extensive decay, or other obvious deterioration.
A more accurate, still-clickable headline would be:
“Cut Open a Watermelon and See Cracks? Here’s What They Really Mean—and When You Shouldn’t Eat It”
Also, claims that internal cracks automatically indicate dangerous chemicals or pesticides aren’t supported by the available evidence.
