The taste of this fragrant fruit is known to every person. It intoxicates with its taste and smell, it is impossible to refuse its use. Adults and children love it – it’s all about the melon. Central Asia is considered the birthplace of this melon culture. There are even references to it in the Bible. In the East, in general, it was considered a holy fruit, and the outlines that are on every melon were regarded as the writings of Allah, who so informed people of his predictions. An interesting fact is that the drawings never repeat.
To date, there are many varieties, in our country the most popular “Kolkhoz Woman” and “Torpedo”, with a cylindrical shape. But there is also a unique variety that is grown in the Caucasus, it has the taste of strawberries.
There is still a lot of controversy about the melon. Scientists still cannot agree on whether it is a vegetable or a fruit. Most of all scientists who believe that melon is a false berry from the genus of cucumbers.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 33 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 0.6 |
| Fats in 100 g, (g): | 0.3 |
| Carbohydrates in 100 g, (g): | 7.4 |
| Glycemic index: | 65 |
The composition and calorie content of melon
Melon boasts a huge vitamin composition, these are B vitamins, vitamin H, C, E, A and PP. There are many useful elements in it: zinc, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, iodine and others. It is rich in folic acid. The calorie content of the product is low, 330 units per 1 kg of pulp.
Benefits of melon, vitamins and minerals
Thanks to vitamin C, melon helps to keep the body in good shape, stimulates the immune system. Folic acid is extremely useful for the expectant mother and the proper development of the fetus.
Calcium helps strengthen bones and tooth enamel. And vitamin A stimulates the brain, improves memory. Due to the high water content (98%), melon quenches thirst well.
Fruit minerals improve hair structure and remove wrinkles. Pectins and fiber help to improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines. Melon has a pronounced diuretic effect.
The gourd culture has a positive effect on visual acuity, prevents the development of cataracts. It reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of magnesium.
The benefits of melon for women
Melon is very useful for women who have entered the Balzac age and are faced with the onset of menopause. The fruits are very rich in vitamin B9, which helps to eliminate symptoms, reduce the number of hot flashes. It improves mood and immune strength.
Melon will be useful as a means to rejuvenate and eliminate acne. And after a series of studies, it was found that melon prevents the development of breast cancer.
Melon is very useful as a means of removing toxins and toxins. This is a real antioxidant natural medicine. Carotenodes contained in fruits protect the retina from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
The iron contained in fruits reduces the risk of developing anemia. Silicon improves the condition of hair and skin.
The benefits of melon for men
In addition to the general benefits, melon is useful as a sperm production stimulant. More precisely, we are talking about melon seeds, which are best consumed with honey. For these purposes, you can use no more than 2 g of seeds per day, so as not to provoke gallbladder disease.
Melon during pregnancy and breastfeeding
During the bearing of the baby, melon is recommended for use. It compensates for the lack of vitamins in the body and has a beneficial effect on the development of the baby. In addition, melon helps to get rid of puffiness, as it removes excess fluid. But the most important thing is folic acid, which helps the proper development of the fetus. At the same time, you should not abuse this product, as melon can cause an allergic reaction and flatulence.
Most doctors are categorically against women using melon during breastfeeding. It can cause increased gas formation and even loose stools in a baby. This is due to the fact that it contains a lot of sugar, which provokes fermentation processes in the body.
It is recommended to introduce melon into the mother’s diet after the start of feeding the baby. They start literally at 50 g per week, gradually increasing the amount of consumption.
Is it possible for children to have melon
Undoubtedly, melon is a useful product, but it is not worth rushing to introduce it into the baby’s diet. It is very difficult, so it is better to transfer the first acquaintance with the culture to the 2nd year of life. Be sure parents should monitor the reaction of the baby’s body. Another condition – the child can only be given fresh melon, best cut immediately before use.
Is melon good for weight loss
Melon is quite an attractive product for weight loss. Thanks to the content of pectins, it helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins. It participates in the process of destruction of the fatty layer, while saturating the body with moisture, due to which the body is quickly saturated.
A number of nutritionists recommend going on a seven-day diet. Every day you can consume up to 2 kg of melon pulp. Nothing else can be consumed these days. Such a diet will help to balance the metabolism and cleanse the body.
You can include melon in your daily diet, replacing her dinner. The volume of consumption is calculated based on the formula: 30 kg of human weight = equals 1 kg of melon. The pulp is not only tasty and healthy, but also quickly quenches the feeling of thirst and hunger.
Melon for diabetes
Due to the high sugar content and, as a result, high GI, melon is strictly prohibited for use in the presence of diabetes. In extreme cases, when the patient’s condition still allows it to be used, it is necessary to follow the doctor’s clear instructions on the possible amount of melon per day.
What melon treats, how to take it for medicinal purposes
Even in ancient times in Russia, melon was used as a cure for tuberculosis and rheumatism. It helps cleanse the intestines and relieves fatigue. Melon is recommended for use in insomnia and as an aphrodisiac.
It is recommended to eat no more than 300 g of melon per day. It is best to do this on an empty stomach and 2 hours before going to bed, so that there is no feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Melon is used to treat dry and wet coughs, as it contains a lot of vitamin C. But for this purpose, it is best to use the seeds of the culture. Seeds in a ratio of 1: 8 are diluted with water, sugar is added to taste. Drink a glass of the mixture at one time, always before a meal. During a cold, especially for children, it is recommended to apply the pulp of the fetus to the chest.
Seeds are also used to get rid of kidney diseases. For tincture, you need a whole glass of dried seeds, which are added to 3 liters of water. Water should be at room temperature, but boiled. The mixture is infused throughout the day. To complete the full course, you will need a kilogram of seeds.
When fresh, melon is useful as a treatment for pancreas. You can use a small amount of seeds.
Melon juice is very useful as a cure for urolithiasis. To do this, parsley is added to a glass of juice and drunk every day. And if you drink juice for 7 days on an empty stomach, you can get rid of worms.
The use of melon in cosmetology
Melon is quite widely used for cosmetic purposes. It perfectly moisturizes and helps to cope with wrinkles. From the pulp of the fruit, you can make a moisturizing lotion. For preparation, about 100 g of pulp juice is mixed with the same amount of grape juice. Mix thoroughly. Apply lotion for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
The pulp of the fruit after grinding can be applied to the skin of the face as a refreshing mask, which is kept for 20 minutes and washed off with warm water.
To get rid of acne, a decoction is made from melon, which also eliminates pigmentation and freckles. To do this, 100 g of melon (chopped) is boiled in 300 ml of water for 15 minutes, always over low heat. Decoction wash daily, morning and evening.
To get rid of vitiligo, the affected areas are treated with fresh melon pulp. In the same way, abscesses, bruises and hematomas can be eliminated.
Melon harm and contraindications
Despite the great benefits, so that the melon does not harm, it should not be mixed with any other dishes. Don’t eat it after a heavy meal. It will not begin to be digested until all the food is digested, and this is fraught with the fact that the melon will “ferment”.
It is also not recommended to use melon in large quantities, as it will adversely affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract, colic, bloating and flatulence may appear. In addition, an increased intake of melon pulp into the body can lead to hypervitaminosis.
Diabetics and people diagnosed with ulcers and gastritis will have to stop eating melon. Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are also an absolute contraindication to its use.
How to choose and store melon
A fully ripe fruit should not be as hard as a rock. If you knock on the melon, it should make a ringing sound. Refuse to buy melons, which are sold near the highway. The fruit itself should not have any damage.
Sliced melons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. A whole melon can be stored in a dark place, but at a temperature not exceeding +10 degrees. In this form, it can lie for about 10 days.
If you want to keep the fruits longer, then it is better to purchase them unripe and store them in a cool place. But the taste will no longer be the same as that of ripe ones.
Melon is a healthy and tasty natural product. But it will bring much more benefits if consumed in moderation and on an empty stomach. In no case do not refuse to use melon, please yourself with the fragrant pulp of fruits in summer and autumn.