Cantaloupe has a high-water content (90%) and is rich in a number of nutrients. Consuming cantaloupe can help you stay hydrated, meet your fluid needs, and increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Raw cantaloupe balls weigh 177 grammes and include 60 calories, 1.5 grammes of protein, 14.4 grammes of carbs, and 0.3 grammes of fat per cup. Potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C are all abundant in cantaloupe, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Health Benefits of Cantaloupe
Due to its high antioxidant capacity, electrolyte content, and water content, cantaloupe offers several proven health benefits such as:
Prevention from Dehydration
You can stay hydrated by eating high-water fruits like cantaloupe and drinking adequate water. Cantaloupe is a fantastic snack on a hot day because it contains over 90% water. Additionally, potassium, an electrolyte, is a good source of it. Potassium is a dietary element of public health concern in the USDA's 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines because research has revealed that Americans drink less of it than is advised.
Severe dehydration is one of the health hazards linked to low potassium consumption.
Examining the color of your urine is the most straightforward technique to determine whether you are well hydrated. It ought to be light yellow. Urine that is dark yellow or amber in hue may be a sign of dehydration.
Improves Eyesight
Due to its high beta-carotene concentration, cantaloupe is a top food for eye health. The cantaloupe's color and health advantages are a result of the same vitamins that give carrots their orange hue. Cantaloupe also includes lutein and zeaxanthin, two fat-soluble antioxidants from the group of carotenoids known as xanthophylls, in addition to beta carotene.
Despite not being turned into vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin have benefits for the eyes' health, especially the macula. You can get essential eye nutrients by including cantaloupe in your diet.
Helps Fight Cancer
The high antioxidant activity of cantaloupe aids in scavenging free radicals before they cause harm. It has been demonstrated that an extract from the peel and seeds of cantaloupe can stop the development of renal, colorectal, and cervical carcinoma cells.
The antioxidant abilities of the melon and peel reduced the cancers' ability to metastasize by 20% to 85%. But this research is only exploratory and not definitive. Although more study is required, the results are encouraging for future work.
Treats Sunburns
When consumed or applied directly to the skin, melon has photoprotective properties. Melon extract improves antioxidant activity when applied to sunburned skin, decreasing scorched cells and increasing melanin levels. Consuming cantaloupe might help your body heal from sunburns more quickly, even while it doesn't replace the requirement for sun protection.
Lowers Blood Pressure
With 1 cup of cantaloupe balls providing 473 milligrammes of potassium, cantaloupe is naturally low in sodium and high in potassium, like many other fruits. High potassium and low sodium together effectively lower high blood pressure.
Another heart-healthy option is cantaloupe. Cantaloupe and other potassium-rich foods are linked to a lower risk of hypertension and stroke.
