Cantaloupe, also known as muskmelon, sweet melon, and rockmelon makes a refreshing, healthy snack. Its relatives include squash, watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber, and gourds like bitter gourds.
Cantaloupe is highly nutritious, boasting a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is water-rich, low in carbs, and has Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, vitamin K, niacin, choline, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, lutein, and selenium. These nutrients are highly beneficial to the body’s functioning and overall well-being.
Hydrating with a low glycemic index
It is low in carbs and has about 90% water content. The high water content gives it a low glycemic index. This means it digests slowly and as a result, does not cause blood sugar spikes. This makes it diabetes-friendly.
Cantaloupes are also filled with electrolytes which are minerals that balance body fluids and keep them working right. This keeps you hydrated and full of energy. The high water and electrolyte content makes it a good choice for boosting hydration after a workout.
Rich in antioxidants
A variety of antioxidants are present in cantaloupes including beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants protect the cells from being damaged by free radicals. This offers protection against cancers including colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancer.
Promote healthy eyesight
It is rich in beta-carotene which helps keeps the eyes healthy and prevents night blindness. Antioxidants found in cantaloupe protect the eyes from harmful blue light rays and prevent age-related macular degeneration.
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Promotes healthy lungs
Beta-carotene and vitamin C both of which are found in high levels in cantaloupe have both been linked with lowering the risk for developing asthma. When juiced, it replenishes the body’s depleted vitamin A for smokers.
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Promotes heart health
Cantaloupe promotes heart health in a variety of ways. It helps lower chronic levels of inflammation which are is linked to a variety of illnesses including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Potassium in cantaloupe helps lower blood pressure which is linked to heart disease. It helps transport oxygen to the heart, regulating the body’s water balance and preventing the hardening of arteries. Potassium protects against stroke and coronary heart diseases.
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Aids in digestion and weight loss
The high water and fibre content prevents constipation, promotes regularity and a healthy digestive tract. Fibre also keeps you full longer which prevents overeating and snacking between meals. This is a natural way of regulating appetite that can aid in weight loss.
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Benefits the kidneys
It is a great kidney healer and acts as a natural diuretic, encouraging urination and the flushing of toxins at a faster rate. Keeping the kidney filtered throughout the day via urination keeps the kidneys strong and healthy. The high potassium content also reduces the formation of kidney stones.
Menstrual benefits
In its juiced form, cantaloupe is very effective in regulating menstrual flow and preventing menstrual cramps.
Skin and hair
Vitamin A contributes to the growth and maintenance of all tissues in the body, including the skin and hair. Vitamin C enables the body to produce collagen which provides structure to cells, skin, and hair. Cantaloupe stimulates hair growth and keeps skin elastic, clear, and free of wrinkles.
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Ways of eating cantaloupe
Dice or slice it and eat it fresh
Make a fruit salad
Slice it thinly and add to water, lemonade, or iced tea
Make a smoothie
Makes some salsa
Chill it for soup
Roast the seeds and add them to granola
Check out
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