The Cucumis melo , or commonly known as melon, are the names used to refer to the plant, and therefore the fruit we eat, typical of alkaline soils (good conductors of electricity and heat).
Its plant is defined by the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of the Spanish language as “annual herbaceous, of the family of the cucurbits, with stretched stems, branchy, rough, with tendrils”.
This is followed by a description of its height along with its leaves and flowers: “from three to four meters in length, petiolate leaves, divided into five obtuse lobes and solitary flowers with yellow corolla”, ending the definition with its origin, typical and a native of the East.
But, returning to the fruit, we must emphasize its ellipsoidal shape, noting that its dimensions vary, ranging between 20 and 30 centimeters long.
Here it should be mentioned that we find different exceptions, where we can come across melons that can weigh a total of 20 kilos, and on the contrary, some that barely weigh 300 grams.
As for its shell, its texture and colors are also often changeable. We can find shells of green, white, yellow colors or even combinations.
The meat inside is characteristic for having a completely sweet flavor, together with a soft texture that contrasts with the core of the fruit, made up of different seeds or pipes of a yellowish color.
Nutrition facts of melon
The melon is made up almost entirely of water, being 90% of its composition. Regarding calories, it is convenient to point out that for every 100 grams that we eat, a total of 34 of these will be provided.
Sodium also gives us minimal levels, with a total of 16 milligrams each time we are able to reach 100 grams. Finally, and referring to the same amount ingested, the fiber intake will be limited to 1 gram.
In addition, it contains large amounts of vitamins such as A, K or C along with percentages of folic acid, magnesium and potassium.
Health benefits of melon
Below are the health benefits of melon;
1- Fight against macular degeneration
Thanks to the zeaxanthin it contains inside, it has been proven that negative blue light rays are better filtered for our eyes, protecting them and thus avoiding any type of macular degeneration that may occur due to the different rays that we filter throughout of the day.
Without going any further, with a total of 3 or more pieces of this fruit a day you can overwhelmingly reduce the percentage of risk of suffering from some type of macular degeneration.
2- Benefits of melon for asthma
If for macular degeneration we found the fighting power in zeaxanthin, in asthma we came across beta-carotene and vitamin C. Both found in large quantities in melon do not protect against asthma.
In addition, we can find it in other types of foods such as pumpkin, carrots, or different vegetables such as spinach and kale.
3- Benefits of melon for blood pressure
The health of our heart will be reinforced with the abundant intake of potassium in our diet. Without going any further, the melon becomes one of the main sources of this chemical element.
What foods can we find besides melon with this peculiarity? The answer to this question can be found in spinach, tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, and bananas.
This, together with the fiber, choline, and again the vitamin C that this powerful food possesses will reduce the body’s blood pressure by large percentages.
4- Prevents cerebrovascular accidents
The previous benefit takes us directly to the current one. When the blood pressure feels released thanks to the high levels of potassium in the body, we will run a lower risk and have a chance of finding any type of stroke.
In addition, we are reinforced against large and rapid losses of muscle mass, the preservation of bone mineral density and different reductions related to the formation of kidney stones.
5- Acts against inflammation and improves muscle movement
The melon is composed, as we have said, of a multitude of nutrients. Regarding inflammation and muscle movement we must mention the choline.
It improves cell membranes, thus helping the transmission of nerve impulses together with the absorption of different fats.
6- Benefits of melon for Arthritis
The anti-inflammatory properties of the different phytochemicals of melon cause oxidation in the different joints and bones of our body to be exponentially improved with the constant intake of the fruit.
7- Benefits of melon for cancer
The beta-carotene in melon helps protect us against different types of cancer, not without forgetting the amount of antioxidants that we can find at the crossroads of the fight against tumor agents.
According to a study carried out by the Harvard School of Nutrition Department of Public Health, beta-carotene helps prevent and protect us against a possible appearance of prostate cancer.
8- Benefits of melon for digestion
It prevents constipation thanks to its composition of fiber and water. In this way, our digestion will be improved with the continuous use of this well-known fruit.
9- Hydrates
Hydration plays an important role in melon intake. As we mentioned above, the amount of water in the melon is about a total of 90%.
That is why, together with the electrolytes, so that the moment we eat this type of food, we will hydrate quickly, especially in the summer season.
10- Benefits of melon for sleep
Again, it is the choline that causes our cell membranes to improve and in this way we can get unaltered hours of sleep, in addition to better concentration and improvement of capacities related to the brain, memory and learning.
11- Benefits of melon for skin and hair
We have talked about vitamin C and its blood pressure optimizing function. Now, this is not the only vitamin that generates benefits for our body, since vitamin A increases the production of sebum in our body, and consequently, our hair remains hydrated and in good condition at the same time that we helps it grow faster than normal.
As for the skin, due to the large percentages of hydration that melon provides, it will look rejuvenated and with a much healthier and more natural appearance.
For something this food has earned the reputation of being commonly called “the fruit of beauty”.
12- General immune booster
Vitamin C can be established as one of the most powerful when it comes to fighting against the different diseases that free radicals produce.
In this way, this vitamin works as an important stimulator in the production of white blood cells, thus destroying the different harmful bacteria, viruses or other types of toxic substances that can appear in our body.
13- Decreases stress and anxiety
Again we find potassium. Its function in this case is to make the blood vessels dilate, reducing blood pressure.
By having blood pressure regulated, in addition to improving heart health and preventing cerebrovascular problems, our levels of stress hormones will be released.
Reducing stress has the direct consequence of a lower feeling of anxiety.
14- Suitable for celiacs
According to different studies provided by the Italian Celiac Association, as it does not contain even a small pinch of gluten, melon can be consumed and displaced to the meals of any celiac for their enjoyment.
15- You can eat frequently
Unlike other types of food where its continued use can be harmful to our body, melon does not provide any type of cons when abusing it.
Even the chances of having some kind of allergic reaction are reduced. Only in some strange case, this healthy and nutritious fruit can represent some kind of danger to our body.
And all this without forgetting that its incredible flavor and texture become something totally appetizing for the time that comes.
Types of melon
There are different varieties of melon, and within each of these, other subtypes to find. Even so, we will point out and explain the most used and common within the international scene:
Yellow melon
Characteristic of the peninsular zone and more specifically the Spanish one. As its name suggests, it shows a yellow hue and its interior is white. Within this family we find the Rough Yellows, or the Smooth Round Yellows.
Spanish green melon
Green and more elongated than the previous one. They usually grow to large sizes. Here we find the Rochet (one of the earliest that can be found in the world), Piel de Sapo or Tendral (very rough skin).
Cantaloup melon
Sphere and thick. Its pulp has a color similar to salmon and it is the most produced melon in the world.
Long lasting melon
With high levels of sugar and a great quality of pulp, its skin covers it in the face of a multitude of setbacks, whether temporary or physical.
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