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Honeydew melon, or honey melon, is a winter melon fruit characterized by its oval shape. The tasty flesh of this fruit is usually green, while the inner layer maintains a yellow tone.
The color and mild flavor of the honey melon make it an excellent choice for salads and desserts. However, its benefits go beyond appearance and sweetness. Honeydew melon is highly nutritious and offers several health benefits, which we’ll discuss in this article.
Honeydew has a diverse nutrient profile that makes it a nutritional goldmine. The melon’s numerous health benefits have been linked to its assortment of nutrients and minerals, which can be seen below.
In addition to the nutrients listed above, honey melon seeds and fruit are packed with potent antioxidants, including beta-carotene, phytoene, quercetin, and caffeic acid.
Here are various ways in which a diet containing honeydew can contribute to excellent health:
Honeydew Melon contains folate, which is essential for bone respiration and maintenance. Folate plays a vital role in breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid that causes a decrease in bone blood flow. The vitamin promotes healthy bones by ensuring homocysteine is well regulated.
In addition, honeydew’s vitamin K content means that it can be helpful in the production of osteocalcin, a major structural protein. Osteocalcin is essential for bone metabolism and it serves as a marker of bone formation.
One serving of honey melon supplies 4% of your daily recommended intake of magnesium. Cells require magnesium to break down bone tissue to function correctly, making it a vital nutrient for healthy bones. The melon also contains small amounts of other bone-aiding nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Research suggests that eating honeydew melon and other fruits may help regulate blood sugar. A recent study of over 500,000 people found that people who eat more fresh fruit are less likely to have diabetes than those who rarely ate fruits.
An Oxford Academic Journal revealed that consuming a diet packed with potassium and low in sodium contributes to a reduced risk of hypertension. A low-potassium diet raises blood pressure by stimulating a biological reaction in your kidneys.
Honeydew makes the perfect addition to a healthy diet for the heart due to its low salt and high potassium levels. Magnesium, also found in the melon fruit, has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Honeydew is among a group of foods that have been touted for their anti-inflammatory properties. The smooth texture of the melon provides a soothing feel to the gullet, relieving you of heartburn.
Honey melon also contains magnesium, an important element in antacids. Research has shown that magnesium may help neutralize stomach acid. Despite these perks, avoid taking magnesium as supplements because the mineral can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea in excess.
In addition, honeydew is a rich source of vital minerals and vitamins such as potassium, beta-carotene, folate, vitamin B6, lutein, and carotenoids. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), these nutrients all have anti-inflammatory properties.
Increasing your honeydew melon intake may help your skin become healthier due to its vitamin C content. A single cup of this melon fruit provides 53% of your recommended daily intake. Your body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, a structural protein essential for skin tissue repair and maintenance.
Also, due to vitamin C being an antioxidant, research suggests that it may protect your skin from sunburn. Although you can obtain vitamin C from other fruits, honey melon is a more convenient source due to its high content.
Increasing your honeydew consumption is also beneficial for brain development and function. This powerful melon fruit is packed with vitamin B6 and folate, essential vitamins that help you maintain a healthy brain and nervous system.
A review has linked low folate and vitamin B6 levels to people with poor cognitive function. Shortage of these vitamins also increases your risk of developing neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
In addition, these super B vitamins may boost your mood and reduce the risk of depression. Vitamin B6 is essential for the formation of serotonin and norepinephrine, “happy hormones”, which control energy levels. Research indicates that increasing your folate intake may reduce the risk of mood disorders and depression.
Adding to the health perks here, honeydew melon may boost your immune system and aid weight loss thanks to its low calorie and high antioxidants. Choose a ripe honey melon and enjoy the slice of goodness on a warm day. You may also incorporate honeydew into your diet by adding it to salads, desserts, and soups.
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