What vitamins are in melon and how is it beneficial for the body?
The sweet, incredibly aromatic melon has been grown in Central Asia and China since time immemorial. This is one of the most ancient agricultural crops. Cultivating it for thousands of years, people have improved the taste of the fruit.
Melon, or Cucumis melo, belongs to the cucumber genus in the Cucurbitaceae family. According to the specifics of cultivation, the crop belongs to the melon family. A tasty and healthy dessert vegetable is highly valued for its rich composition and dietary properties.
Nutrient content
The list of beneficial properties of melon can take a long time. Its composition is very rich. In addition to vitamins, fruits contain easily digestible sugar, organic water, starch, proteins, fiber, pectin, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, phosphorus, calcium, silicon, organic acids.
Interesting fact. More than a hundred rare local varieties of this crop are cultivated in Uzbekistan.
Microelements and other useful substances in the composition
What vitamins and microelements are contained in melon? This aromatic fruit contains more of them than watermelon. The composition of microelements makes the culture one of the most useful. The juicy pulp is rich in iron and potassium salts:
- Iron supplies tissues with oxygen. The element is part of many enzymes and proteins that are necessary for metabolic processes.
- Potassium is responsible for the condition of the nervous system, muscle cells, and ensures acid-base balance.
Thanks to this the product used in medical nutrition for heart and vascular diseases, anemia, liver and kidney diseases, and even rheumatism and gout.
In melon fruits it was noted high silicon content. This trace element takes part in many physiological processes in the human body. Silicon is responsible for connective tissue, the condition of the walls of blood vessels, skin and hair. Without silicon, the cerebral cortex does not function fully. The functioning of the nervous system and intestines is disrupted.
Thanks to beta carotene, which is found in melon more than in carrots, the vegetable has a beneficial effect on the condition and color of the skin.
Magnesium contained in pulp, reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes.
Important! There is more vitamin C in melon than in other melons. This is a great helper in maintaining immunity in the autumn.
Fruits are also rich in vitamins A, E, PP, group B, folic acid.
Content of nutrients in pulp and peel
Melon pulp is very aromatic and sweet. Large amount of easily digestible sugars, contained in it, gives the body a lot of energy and lifts the mood. The improvement in emotional state after eating the dessert vegetable is explained by the fact that it contains amino acids - precursors of serotonin, the hormone of joy.
Nutrients are contained not only in the pulp, but also in the melon peels.. The peel of this dessert vegetable contains such a useful substance as chlorophyll. It strengthens the circulatory system, delivers oxygen to the body's cells, promotes wound healing and maintains hormonal balance, and improves the functioning of the digestive system.
The skin of the fruit is rich in the amino acid citrulline. This substance improves blood circulation through small capillaries.Essential oils contained in the peel enhance the beneficial properties of melon for the body.
Advice. Apply melon peels to bruises. This way they will heal faster.
Changes in composition during heat treatment
Many delicious dishes are prepared from melon fruits. The pulp is used to make jam, marmalade, marmalade. The peels are also used to make jam, candied fruits and compotes.
The greatest benefit to the body comes from consuming the product fresh.. Heat treatment destroys some vitamins and nutrients, such as folic acid, vitamins A and C, B vitamins, and carotene.
It can be useful:
The nutritional value
The energy value of melon is worth mentioning separately. The caloric content of the product depends on the variety and on average ranges from 33 to 60 kcal per 100 grams. Therefore, it is indicated for absolutely everyone, including people who are obese. However, it is worth remembering that melon stimulates the appetite.
Ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in fruits explains the dietary properties of the product. 100 grams contain 90 g of water, 0.6 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat and 7.4 g of carbohydrates.
However fresh and, for example, dried melon are not the same thing. The calorie content of the dried product is significantly higher - approximately 334 kcal per 100 grams. Not to mention jam, candied fruits and jams. Due to the large amount of sugar, these products are no longer considered dietary.
Benefits and harms
Due to its high potassium and magnesium content, melon is beneficial for the cardiovascular system.. The walls of blood vessels are strengthened, the tissues are saturated with oxygen. The product is recommended for use for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
The pulp has a diuretic effect, therefore useful for numerous kidney diseases.
Eating melon helps normalize the digestion process and water metabolism in the body. Melon juice removes excess water and has a pronounced anthelmintic effect.
Potassium, found in large quantities in vegetables, improves the functioning of the nervous system. And amino acids, precursors of the joy hormone serotonin, help fight stress and depression and improve mood.
Melon has a lot of fiber. Pectin fibers make the intestines work actively, improve peristalsis and promote food absorption.
Melon juice is also a wonderful cosmetic product. Its beneficial properties are often used in the treatment of various dermatoses and rashes, allergies and even psoriasis - it has such a beneficial effect on the appearance of the skin.
However, even in such a big barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment. Melon contains a large amount of easily digestible sugar. Therefore, people suffering from diabetes are allowed to consume it only in small quantities.
Those who include melon in their diet with caution suffers from peptic ulcers and liver pathologies. The same goes for breastfeeding women. Abuse of sweet fruits leads to stomach upset in the child and mother.
The benefits of melon for women, men and children
Melon has a beneficial effect on the entire body. But it is worth mentioning separately the benefits of this product for women.
Fruits contain large amounts of folic acid, necessary for the female body during pregnancy and menopause. And in combination with silicon, folic acid normalizes hormonal levels, improves mood, and improves immunity.Thanks to the high content of vitamins and microelements, the sweet fruit helps maintain the beauty of the skin and hair.
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Melon is no less useful for men. Its seeds improve potency and stimulate sperm production. The seeds are eaten fresh, adding honey.
Melon is also good for children. The mild laxative effect of the fruit helps solve the problem of childhood constipation.
How to eat melon correctly
The main rule for eating melon fruits is not to mix them with any other products.. Melon is a self-sufficient product; digesting it is not an easy task for the body.
Need to know! It is best to eat melon 2 hours before or after the main meal.
Abuse of melon fruits leads to undesirable consequences. They contain a lot of fiber, which activates the intestines. Therefore, the effect may be unpleasant. For the same reason after melon, do not drink sour milk (kefir or yogurt) and cold water.
Note! Not recommended eat melon on an empty stomach. This causes discomfort in the stomach, gas formation, and bloating.
A healthy adult can eat without harming their well-being. per day up to 1.5 kg of melon, dividing this amount into 2-3 doses. Children should use melon with extreme caution. Children over one year old can be given no more than 100 grams per day.
Contraindications
Even such a healthy vegetable has certain limitations and contraindications. The danger lies in the fact that melon is a difficult product to digest..
People suffering from gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, chronic colitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum) you should use melon with caution.
For patients with diabetes Due to the high content of easily digestible sugars in the pulp, you can eat melon in small quantities.
Abuse of fruits is fraught with troubles. The sugar contained in melon, when it enters the stomach, begins to ferment, causing flatulence, bloating and colic.
Conclusion
Melon is extremely tasty and healthy at the same time. When consumed separately from main meals, this product gives health to the entire body and improves mood. A rich composition of vitamins and microelements, a unique complex of minerals and organic acids helps preserve beauty and youth.
Melon is a unique product both for the health of men and for preserving the beauty and youth of women. If you follow the recommendations for consumption, this product becomes the best summer dessert and a good helper for those who decide to have a fasting day.