The benefits and harms of melon for liver health

It is not often possible to meet a person who does not like melon. At the end of summer they look forward to it with great impatience. The fruits perfectly quench thirst and hunger in hot weather. They are used in cosmetology and folk medicine.

The range of uses of melon is impressive, but how beneficial is it for our liver? What are the features of using this product and does it have any contraindications? Our article is about this and much more.

Composition of melon

Each variety of melon has a unique chemical composition, but the main ingredients are the same for all types. The pulp contains easily digestible sugars, fiber, carotene, pectin, folic acid, iron, mineral salts, fats, as well as vitamins B, A, C, E, K, PP. In addition, the product contains a lot of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium; microelements such as boron, iodine, copper, fluorine, chromium, zinc and others.

The calorie content of sweets does not exceed 35 kcal per 100 g.

Can I eat it if I have liver disease?

People suffering from liver diseases can and even need to eat melon. Our main “cleansing” organ itself often needs cleansing. And melon has all the properties to carry out the procedure as efficiently as possible and set the liver to work properly.

But remember that during illness the organ becomes weak, and influencing it, even with good intentions, can do more harm than good. benefit. Therefore, for liver diseases, melon is eaten in small portions, carefully “listening” to the body’s reaction.

Attention! Under no circumstances should you eat fruit during periods of exacerbation of illness, during acute pain and cramps! The juice of the product will only intensify the pain reaction and can cause complications.

How does it affect the liver and pancreas?

Fruit pulp helps remove toxins and waste from the body. Melon is used to cleanse the gallbladder and pancreas.

Benefit

For many years, the fruit has been used in therapeutic and preventive nutrition for diseases of the kidneys, liver and heart, and the high percentage of iron content helps in the treatment of anemia. Besides:

• iron is indispensable for those who suffer from anemia and for women with hormonal imbalances during menstruation;
• magnesium and potassium prevent the rapid onset of fatigue and weakness;
• vitamin B gives the body energy, vitamin A prevents the formation of free radicals and has an anti-aging effect;
• Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and prevents colds;
• pulp fibers stimulate intestinal activity, preventing constipation;
• high water content normalizes diuresis, while cleansing the kidneys and reducing cholesterol levels;
• the element adenosine prevents the occurrence of stroke and heart attack.

Harm and contraindications

The high content of sugar and fructose in the fruit can cause gas formation, bloating, colic and even short-term diarrhea. To prevent the fermentation reaction in the stomach from causing harm, it is recommended to eat melon as a separate dish in small portions, no more than 300 g at a time. At the same time, do not drink it with water or alcoholic drinks, do not eat it with honey or jam.

It is forbidden to consume dessert if you have the following problems:

• kidney and gallstones;
• stomach ulcer in the acute stage;
• dysentery;
• diabetes;
• inflammation of the duodenum;
• for any intestinal disorders.

It is advised to eat fruit with caution pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Important! If you suffer from any disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ask your doctor whether it is advisable to eat melon.

Features of use

Melon is delicious in any form, be it juice, jam or fresh fruit. However, there are some nuances in use that are useful to know about.

Raw

Before cutting, the fruit is thoroughly washed, then cut in half and the seeds are removed. Peel the aromatic pulp from the dense skin. Seeds not used for food. The pulp is cut into small pieces and eaten in small portions, as a separate dish, an hour before meals or two after.

Juice

To prepare juice, pass the fruit pulp through a press or juicer. It is better to drink the juice freshly squeezed, as it retains the greatest amount of vitamins. It is better to do this on an empty stomach, being careful. An adult is advised to drink no more than one glass of melon juice per day. For children, the dose should be much less: 50 ml for small children and 100 ml for school-age children.

Jam

Fragrant and tasty jam is made from melon pulp. It can be stored for several years in the refrigerator or other cool place.

After heat treatment, melon loses some of its beneficial properties - the jam contains few vitamins and minerals. But this dish can be eaten whenever you want, combined with other products, and used as a filling for pies. It does not cause fermentation in the stomach, does not lead to diarrhea and colic.

Important instructions for use

Follow the basic rules so that dessert will benefit you, this will protect you from unwanted consequences:

1. Buy fruit only from August to September.
2. The main indicator of melon ripeness is its persistent aroma. If there is no smell, it is better not to buy such a product.
3. Substances unsafe for health that accumulate during the process of growing and feeding melons settle on and near the bark. Try to cut off the rind and another 1-1.5 cm of pulp in contact with it.
4. The most “poisonous” part of the fruit is the “tail”; it contains the maximum concentration of harmful substances. Therefore, it is recommended to cut off the tip of the melon.
5. The fruit will taste better if it is briefly placed in the refrigerator before eating.
6. In hot weather, chilled melon juice perfectly quenches thirst and alleviates the effects of sunstroke.

Using melon to cleanse the liver

The largest human “filter”, the liver, becomes clogged over time and needs to be cleaned. Raw melon pulp will help to deeply cleanse the body of toxins, which will have a positive effect on overall health. For the result of the procedure to be successful, it is important to follow several basic rules.

Cleaning procedure

If you plan to cleanse your liver, you should prepare your body in advance:

1. Two weeks before the procedure, completely remove fried and high-calorie foods from your diet.
2. For all 14 days, eat fruits, vegetables, herbs, low-fat cottage cheese, dairy products, cereals and cheese.
3. Give up bad habits during this time - smoking and alcohol. If you can't completely eliminate smoking, at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke to a minimum.

After successful preparation, they begin the cleaning itself, which lasts 10-14 days. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., eat exclusively melon. To do this, divide 2 kg of fruit pulp into 5 servings and take once every 3 hours.
2. During breaks, drink cold green tea, no more than a glass.

Gradually exit the cleansing diet. For the first 3-4 days after the procedure, eat only light lean dishes; after a couple of days, add meatballs or poultry cutlets, steamed without oil. Chicken can be replaced with lean fish, such as cod or pike perch. After unloading, your intestines need time to enter their usual mode of operation.

What if there is pain after use?

It happens that after eating melon, pain occurs. In a healthy gastric mucosa, the process of digesting fruit proceeds without problems, but if there are abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract, digestion of the pulp becomes difficult.

Melon undergoes fermentation in the stomach, which is accompanied by the release of gases. Abdominal pain and a feeling of cramping appear; all these are the first signs of developing gastritis. It is advisable to contact a specialist.

Conclusion

Melon is not only tasty, but also healthy, but people with weakened and diseased livers are not advised to abuse these products. Eat fruit in small portions with extreme caution.

Do not self-medicate under any circumstances if you do not know anything about the condition of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Before cleaning, be sure to diagnose these organs and consult a doctor.