Who doesn’t love a fresh juicy piece of fruit on a hot summer day? Cantaloupe, also called musk melon or sweet melon, is the fruit to eat. They belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and gives you instant energy along with varied benefits. It is available majorly during April through August, making it a summer fruit. Cantaloupe has 95% water, and that is the reason it is readily eaten and digested by anyone from babies to elders who cannot chew hard stuff. Scroll down to explore the wonderful cantaloupe benefits for skin, hair and health.
What Is Cantaloupe:
The scientific name of cantaloupe is Cucumis melo belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. But it is known by different names in different places. Muskmelon, Rockmelon, Sweet melon, Persian melon, Kharbuja (Hindi), Alshamam (Arabic), Kænṭalūp (Sinhala), and Cantalupo (Spanish).
Cantaloupes and melons are in the same gourd family as squashes and cucumbers. The only variation is the way that they are to use. Squashes are viewed as vegetables, while cantaloupe melon is a fruit, with sweet and juicy flavour.
Types Of Cantaloupe:
Depending on the area of production, there are several kinds of cantaloupe.
- European Cantaloupe.
- North American Cantaloupe.
- Asian Cantaloupe.
- Japanese Cantaloupe.
- Galia Cantaloupe.
- Charentais Cantaloupe.
- Crenshaw Melon.
- Honeydew Melons.
Is Muskmelon Good For Health?
Muskmelon or cantaloupes have high amounts of polyphenol antioxidants to boost the immune function and cardiovascular system. Polyphenols regulate nitric oxide that aids in the prevention of heart attacks and in strengthening blood vessels. It has a thriving amount of vitamin C and beta carotene. During summer, it helps avoid dehydration of the body and refills water content and electrolytes. The muskmelon extracts help rejuvenate diuresis that lowers blood pressure.
Cantaloupe Nutritional Facts:
Cantaloupe consists of a variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. It is also a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, copper, and vitamin K.
Vitamin A:
The primary source of vitamin A in cantaloupe is in the form of a pigment called beta-carotene. A cup of diced melon provides enough nutrients that are necessary for an adult Vitamin C: Fresh cantaloupe is a rich source of Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. This essential water-soluble vitamin plays a pivotal role in the growth and repair of tissues. It is also an antioxidant that reduces the action of free radicals. A cup of balled cantaloupe provides 65 mg of Vitamin C.
Potassium:
- Cantaloupe has a high concentration of potassium, which is an electrolyte, a mineral that conducts electricity within the body with other minerals like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Hence, it is a necessary mineral for nearly all the processes within our body. A cup of balled cantaloupe fruit provides 463 mg of potassium.
Folate:
- Folate, an essential water-soluble B vitamin micronutrient. The name folate is used if it is naturally present in foods. Cantaloupe has folate in abundance. It is necessary for cell growth and metabolism.
Myoiositol:
- Myoinositol is a lipid in abundance in cantaloupe, which prevents anxiety, insomnia, and hardening of the arteries.
Nutritive Value per 100g of Cantaloupe:
- There are 34 calories in 100 grams of cantaloupe melons consisting of 5% fat, 87% carbs, 9% protein.
How To Eat Muskmelon:
Usually, Cantaloupe is eaten as fresh fruit, a salad, a dessert with ice cream or custard. The seeds of cantaloupe are edible and can be dried and nibble as a snack. These juicy fruits are freshest and sweetest during summer. To choose a ripe melon, pick the one that’s well rounded and feels a little heavy. For the most refreshing taste, use cantaloupe within three days of purchase.
Research-Based Kharbuja Benefits:
Here we enlisted 20 science proven Cantaloupe Benefits For health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
Kharbuja Health Benefits:
Here are our 16 evidence-based health benefits of rockmelon.
1. Dental Care:
You can also use cantaloupe to help relieve yourself from any toothache or teeth related problems. All you need to do is take the skin of some musk melon and add water to it. Boil it on low flame till it has been cooked. After it has cooled down to room temperature, strain it and use it as a mouth wash. You will be surprised by the outcome.
2. Cantaloupe Benefits In Pregnancy:
Pregnant women are always in a dilemma. Although many fruits and vegetables provide an excellent die to a pregnant woman. But the best fruit you are going to need during those nine months is cantaloupe. They help in the production and maintenance of new cells and flush out extra sodium from your body.
3. Healthy Menstrual Cycle:
Many of us experience stomach cramps, abdominal pain, dizziness, and feel lethargic every month during our period. But it doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience anymore. Because kharbuja or cantaloupe is an all-natural, potent remedy that will help you make your menstrual cycle bearable. Melons are very light, which will help you beat any heavy feeling, and regular consumption can also reduce clotting up to a certain extent.
4. Cures Insomnia:
We all have those days where even after a hectic and tiring day, sleep doesn’t come. But if you have sleepless nights and you suffer from anxiety often, you might have insomnia. By adding healthy and tasty cantaloupes to your diet, you can overcome insomnia. They will soothe your nervous system and will relieve you immensely. You will feel calm and at peace all the time. It is because of the particular compound contained in this.
5. Cantaloupe Benefits For Weight Loss:
All you folks who want to lose weight should add some cantaloupe to their diet regime. They are natural, organic, and low-calorie food. The more raw and organic it is, the better for your health. Fibre present in the melons is excellent for weight loss and makes you feel full for a more extended period. Since the digestive process becomes slow after eating this, you will not feel hungry too fast. Thereby losing weight in the process.
See More: Cardamom Benefits
6. Treat Asthma:
Cantaloupe has vitamin C in abundance, which is an antioxidant responsible for eliminating free radicles that cause lung damage. A study conducted in Japan found that the people who take a high intake of vitamin C are less likely to suffer from asthma. The antioxidants present in cantaloupe fight back the levels of inflammation, which positively affects asthma.
7. Fights Cancer:
The very name cancer scares a lot of us as medically there is no complete cure for it. But as they say, prevention is better than cure. One food that has cancer-preventive qualities is cantaloupe. Vitamin C and beta-carotene in high concentrations in melon are effective in getting rid of free radicals from our body. These free radicals are dangerous as they attack the body cells and cause cancerous growth
8. Helps With Digestion:
Cantaloupes are best for your stomach, giving it a refreshing and calming effect. It keeps the digestive system healthy by regulating bowel movements. This wondrous fruit is full of necessary dietary fibre that regulates proper bowel movements. It also ensures a pleasant and smooth flow of food in your digestive tract, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer
9. Boosts Immunity:
The immune system is an essential part of our body, which protects us from various infections. A natural way to increase our immunity system is by consuming cantaloupes regularly. Cantaloupe is abundant in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which boosts immunity by raising the white blood cells in our body. WBCs are the body’s natural defence mechanism as they fight foreign bodies from attacking as well as eliminating infections that harm the body.
10. Regulates Blood Pressure:
If you want to improve your heart health, eating cantaloupe is the best way as fibre, potassium, and vitamin C support you. By regulating the potassium intake helps in regulating blood pressure.
11. Cantaloupe Benefits For Eyes:
With our dependency on technology, there will be a lot of kids as well as adults who will have to wear the ugly spectacles or irritating lens. What if I say there is a way you can have good eyesight naturally? Try cantaloupe. Muskmelon is rich in beta carotenes, which help maintain healthy vision. Once the body absorbs these beta carotenes, they are converted into Vitamin A. Studies have proved that eating foods with a high concentration of vitamin A can reduce the risk of developing cataracts by 40%.
See More: Litchi Fruit Benefits
12. Treatment Of Arthritis:
Inflammation of joints is known as Arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties present in cantaloupe help prevent the oxidative stress in our body, thereby reducing inflammation. Intake of a proper dose of cantaloupe can help you kill the pain and discomfort related to arthritis.
13. Reduces Anxiety and Stress:
Deadlines have become an integrated part of both our personal and professional lives. Here is an all-natural way to kick stress to the curb. Take a deep breath and have a glass of cantaloupe juice. See the melon work its magic in minutes. You start feeling relaxed as the potassium in muskmelon promotes the supply of oxygen to the brain and normalizes your heartbeat.
14. Muskmelon Benefits For Baby:
On any hot summer day, babies need something that is healthy and comes with a ton of benefits. Cantaloupe is the answer! The high water content makes them easily mashable, and vitamins A, C, and beta carotene enhance your baby’s vision.
15. Improves Heart Health:
Every other person is suffering from some of the other cardiac-related issues. Try cantaloupes for your heart health. These melons are abundant in potassium, which controls blood pressure, thus keeping your heart healthy. This mineral also prevents hypertension and prevents sodium from further harming the body. Vitamin C protects our arteries from hardening. While folate helps in preventing heart attacks.
16. Want To Quit Smoking?
With all sorts of synthetic solutions available for us to quit smoking. Cantaloupe is an all-natural way where People who are chain smokers and have decided to give up this bad habit can do better. This is because of minerals and nutrients that can help a smoker give up the desire for nicotine. It can also help your body to replenish for all the loss that has happened before because of constant smoking.
See More: Cauliflower Benefits For Skin
Cantaloupe Benefits For Skin:
Here are our 2 best sweet melon uses for skin. Let’s have a look into them.
17. Hydrates Your Skin:
As women, we are always worried about our skin. We keep looking for homemade recipes, various products, and cosmetics to keep our skin hydrated, fresh and beautiful. However, in this long search to find beauty, we sometimes forget to use natural elements. And by that, I mean fruits and vegetables. Cantaloupe is high in this order. They have a high water content that will hydrate your skin from within and replenish it completely. You can add it to a salad or apply it to your skin daily.
The watery and subtle-tasting muskmelon can do wonders for your skin. It is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins A, C, K, and folate, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium. Muskmelon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientists have found that muskmelons can help treat psoriasis.
18. Anti-Ageing:
Cantaloupe is full of natural folic acid or folate that facilitate the regeneration of cells and impart healthy, radiant, and glowing skin. It is especially beneficial for those who have wrinkles or signs of ageing on their skin. Vitamin C in melons will prevent damage from free radicals. In this way, you will avoid ageing and will never face the problem of maintaining the elasticity of your skin.
Cantaloupe Benefits For Hair:
Here are our 2 best cantaloupe benefits for hair. Let’s have a look into them.
19. Natural Hair Conditioner:
Every one of us dreams of wanting to have shiny, soft, and radiant hair. It doesn’t have to be a dream anymore. Cantaloupe is full of benefits and can take good care of your hair. And the best way to achieve it is by using a conditioner that suits your hair. Instead of spending thousands of bucks on fancy conditioners, here is a natural, homemade conditioner that will bring drastic changes to your hair only within a few weeks. All you need to do is take a cantaloupe and cut it into slices. Now take some of those baby slices and put them in a bowl. Mash and mix them well. Apply this pack all over your hair and wash after 20 minutes.
20. Fight Hair Fall?:
Cantaloupe also helps you fight hair fall. They are super healthy for your hair follicles and prevent any damage to it. A significant reason for hair loss is because of bad hair care routine or poor eating habits. Even the harsh rays of the sun and the pollution add to the woes. Here comes cantaloupe to the rescue. A safe and secure way to get rid of this problem. You can mix some of the slices with lemon, apply all over your hair and wash off with shampoo to get the best results.
Cantaloupe Side Effects:
There are no specific side effects of cantaloupe, but some precautions or safety measures are necessary for cleaning the melon before consumption.
- The harmful bacteria on the surface of this fruit can be dangerous if not cleaned properly. Hence, always wash your melon thoroughly before enjoying this juicy fruit.
- The fruit should be refrigerated after cutting it and consumed in less than three days to prevent the risk of Salmonella or other bacterial pathogens.
- Cut cantaloupe left sitting at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.
- Once you consume the amount of fruit you want, refrigerate the remaining slices of cantaloupe to avoid getting it spoilt.
Thus, cantaloupe can be a delicious fruit, whether eaten alone or along with some other summer fruits. Besides being delicious, it helps keep your body fit and rejuvenates your skin. With adequate precautions taken to clean the fruit, you can enjoy an array of benefits. Let us know what you think about all the cantaloupe benefits.
