One of the reasons to look forward to summer season is the variety of fruits that you get to eat during this time. One of the fruits that are produced in the summer season is the cantaloupe. This fruit has a watery and mild sugary taste, which enhances when the fruit gets ripe. Aside from it being a tasty and hydrating fruit, the fruit is also home to many essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, the health benefits of cantaloupe are numerous and are extremely amazing. If you want to know more about this amazing fruit, continue reading on to this article.
Cantaloupe is actually a delightful fruit that has an extensive variety of health benefits. This includes healthy eyes and skin, reduced stress level, healthy lungs, and condensed chances of cancer. Furthermore, it also makes the immune system stronger, helps in dealing with diabetes, and prevent arthritis. This is mainly because of its rich vitamins and minerals content.
What is Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is one of the most common forms of melon in the United States and they cultivate it mainly in the state of California. The fruit is actually one of the members of the Cucurbitaceae family and may grow anywhere. It usually weighs approximately 500 grams up to 5 kilograms. The variety of cantaloupe from the North America is in fact, closely connected to the muskmelon. However, it has embraced the cantaloupe’s European name for all intentions and purposes.
Moreover, cantaloupe is a very popular option for breakfast. This is since it is good as an appetizer and is a good addition to fruit salads. Furthermore, it has a mild and enjoyable taste that increases when it gets ripe. Some people tend to wait for the fruit’s flesh to get juicy and soft before eating it.
Types of Cantaloupe
There are several varieties of cantaloupe that are grown all over the world. The following are some of them:
European cantaloupe. This variety of cantaloupe gets its name in the Italian village, Cantalup. Its skin that is lightly ribbed with pale green color often describes European cantaloupe. Moreover, the charentais and the Galia melon belongs to this category.
North American Cantaloupe. This is the variety of cantaloupe that is popular obviously in America or the United States. Furthermore, it is popular as the reticulatus since it has a skin that looks like a net.
Nutrition Facts of Cantaloupe
The cantaloupe is very rich in many nutrients that provides many health benefits. Some of the nutritional values of the cantaloupe are its vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B6, & vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, dietary fiber, and niacin. Moreover, since the fruit is made out of 90 percent water, a cup of it carries only 60 calories.
Benefits of Cantaloupe
The cantaloupes don’t just appeal to the taste buds. However, it also offers a lot of health benefits. Here, are some of the health benefits of cantaloupe:
Treats menstrual problems. Vitamin C present in cantaloupe is beneficial in regulating the menstrual flow and relieves cramps in women. The regular consumption of the fruit during menstruation may help reduce the clotting.
Treats insomnia. The fruit has natural laxative properties since it contains a unique compound, which relieves the nerves and calms anxiety.
Good for the lungs. The regular consumption of melon is beneficial in replenishing the body from its loss of vitamin A. furthermore; it also helps in rejuvenating the lungs.
Improves nephropathy. The diabetic nephropathy is actually a kidney condition wherein the kidney cells get serious damages.
Improves the eye health. Cantaloupes are rich in beta-carotene properties, which are beneficial in improvement and maintenance of the eye health. In absorbing this nutrient, it becomes vitamin A, which is good for the prevention of cataract and improving the vision.
Helps combat stress. Cantaloupe has potassium, which is beneficial in normalizing the heartbeat and promoting the supply of oxygen to the brain. Furthermore, it also prevents the occurrence of cellular death because of oxidative stress.
Prevents cancer. Cantaloupes are very rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is effective in getting rid of the free radicals in the body.
Improves the cardiovascular health. Since cantaloupe is rich in potassium, it is beneficial in controlling the blood pressure. This will then keep the heart healthy. Furthermore, potassium also helps in preventing hypertension and prevents the sodium from causing any harm to the body.
Strengthens the immune system. Regular consumption of cantaloupes is beneficial in improving the immunity. This is to fight possible irrationalities of the weather and some other illnesses.
Potential Health Risks
The overall eating pattern and the diet are the most important things in the prevention of diseases and achieving a good health. It is so much better to eat a diet that has a variety than to eat an individual food as a key to health. Make sure that you clean the outside surface of the fruit before cutting it. This is to reduce the possible risk of harmful bacteria like Salmonella in cantaloupe.
