Melons: Refreshing, Sweet and Healthy

Cantaloupe melons aren't just delightfully tasty. When added to a balanced and healthy diet, these melons can also impart many benefits that will improve your overall health and well-being.

What Nutrients Are Found in Cantaloupe Melons?

Cantaloupe melons are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are important to the human body.  The melon is high in potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, fluoride, folate, choline, vitamin A, beta carotene, lutein and vitamin K. Other trace elements found in cantaloupe melons include; vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper.

This makes melons a healthy treat as well as a tasty one — one of few foods you can guiltlessly enjoy, knowing they benefit your health.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Cantaloupe Melons

If you are determined to preserve the vital mineral, vitamin and nutrient content naturally found in cantaloupe melons, it is best to serve the fruit raw and fresh. Other healthy ways to prepare cantaloupe include dicing and tossing cantaloupe melons into salads, choosing a pureed form to add to sauces or cold broth, and adding melon to poultry, pork or fish dishes.

Health Benefits of Cantaloupe Melons

Cantaloupe melons are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A  Vitamin A and beta-carotene are important to vision health and research studies have linked the nutrients to a reduced risk of cataracts in women aged 45 to 67 years old. Other research studies have concluded that a diet high in cantaloupe reduced the incidence of cataract surgery than those who consumed a diet high in fats, butter and salt.

The melon is also a good source of vitamin C, which functions as an antioxidant in the human body.  Vitamin C helps to improve the functioning of the immune system and protects the body against free radicals which can cause damage to the muscle tissues and cells.  Vitamin C stimulates the immune system to fight infection and due to having a high antibacterial property kills dangerous bacteria and viruses.

Read More: Peaches: Promote Growth, Vision Health, Reproductive System and Boost Immunity

The vitamin A found in cantaloupe melons can protect the respiratory system from diseases and infections and promotes lung health. People who are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke and consume vitamin A rich foods can reduce the risk of lung inflammation and emphysema.  Animal studies concluded the benzopyrene found in cigarette smoke can cause a vitamin deficiency which can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, when adding vitamin A to the diet the incidence was greatly reduced.

In addition to the information already proven about the many benefits of the vitamins, nutrients and minerals found in cantaloupe melons, there are currently ongoing medical research studies being conducted to uncover the hidden potential of the fruit.  Cantaloupe melons when added to a regular healthy diet can impart many benefits to the human body and improve health and well-being.

However, it is unlikely that you needed any excuse to enjoy a fresh, juicy slice of melon. These fruits are naturally sweet and delightful.