Health Benefits of Sweet Melon

Sweet melon (Cucumis melon)

Sweet melon also known as honeydew or honeymelon is one among the fruits cultivated and consumed largely in Northern Nigeria. Sweet melon though not extremely sweet as one may think, is really delicious fruit packed with numerous nutrients. A 100 g of sweet melon can provide the body with a whole essential nutrients. Sweet melon have a lot of health benefits some of which include:

1. Prevent Cancer: Nutrients like vitamin C,  Vitamin A,  beta- carotene, and bioflavonoids which are antioxidants occur in significant amount in sweet melon. These nutrients, due to their anti-oxidative properties can help in eliminating or neutralizing free radicals which can cause cancer.

2.  Improve Heart Health: Sweet melon contains significant amount of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and choline all which support heart health. Potassium acts as a vasodilator (can cause dilation of blood vessels) hence consumption of potassium-rich foods like sweet melon can help reduce blood pressure which in turn decrease the chances of developing stroke, heart attack, or coronary heart diseases.

The high dietary fiber content of sweet melon can help to reduce "bad" cholesterol in the body which can protect against atherosclerosis.

3. Good Vision: Sweet melon contains moderate amount of beta-carotene which is a precursor for vitamin A (retinol). Vitamin A is necessary for good vision especially at reduced light. Beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which is also found in sweet melon can prevent the macular degeneration, susceptibility of the lutea to UV-radiation and cataracts.

4.  Boost Immunity: Vitamin C content of sweet melon which is significantly high made sweet melon an immune booster. Vitamin C helps to boost the body immune system and also scavenge harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) free radicals due to its antioxidative properties.

Also sufficient intake of vitamin C is needed for the building and maintenance of collagen which provides structure to skin and hair.

5.  Digestive Health: Dietary fiber particularly soluble fibers which occur in high amount in sweet melon help to prevent constipation, promote regularity and maintain a healthy digestive tract.

6. Skin and Hair: Beta-carotene which occur in significant amount in sweet melon is a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A is required for sebum production which keeps the hair moisturized and healthy.

Vitamin A is also necessary for all bodily tissues including skin and hair.

7.  Hydration: Due to the high water and electrolyte content of sweet melon, sweet melon can be used as a snack during hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

The above listed health benefits of sweet melon are only but a little of its health benefits there are other health benefits not mentioned here.

Do not forget that "MODERATION IS THE KEY 🔑 TO GOOD HEALTH"  therefore if you choose to eat anything eat it moderately.