Musk Melon also widely known as cantaloupe comes under the melon family
‘curcurbitaceae’ along with pumpkins, gourds and cucumbers. Cantaloupes
are the most popular kind of musk melon in America. Although all
cantaloupes are considered to be musk melons, all musk melons are not
cantaloupes. In the Indian markets a variety known as ambrosia melon is
very popular. This variety tastes and looks like the cantaloupe but the
color of the flesh is a brighter orange.
The musk melon in India is usually called kharbuja.
Musk melon is
very popular in tropical countries and comes in many varieties. This
fruit is excellent for cooling down during the summer heat. It is also
extremely filling and refreshing. Muskmelon has a high level of
nutrition, which contributes to many health benefits. The fruit contains
minerals like potassium, sodium and magnesium and vitamin A, B and C.
It is free from cholesterol and is considered to be good for blood
cholesterol patients. It is also an excellent source of the antioxidant
vitamin C. Vitamin C is very effective in preventing cancer and heart
disease, and consuming it on a regular basis prevents the arteries from
hardening. Beta-carotene is also present in a musk melon. The potassium
present in musk melons help in preventing the risk of strokes and in
controlling blood pressure.
Other health benefits of musk melon include treating the lack of
appetite, urinary tract infections, ulcers, acidity and preventing the
formation of kidney stones.
Musk melon also helps with skin care.
The presence of vitamin A helps in maintaining the health of your skin.
Musk melon is considered to be an effective
home remedy for eczema.
For this treatment, musk melons should be consumed thrice a day for
around 40 days. Initially, melons weighing 3 kilograms should be taken
for three days. The quantity is then increased by 1 kg each day till the
hunger is appeased. Only the best quality fruits should be used. Since
the content of water is over 90 percent, you should not take any water
during this time. This remedy is also useful if you are underweight and
want to
increase your weight.
The fruit juice is also effective for local application in acute and
chronic cases of eczema. Musk melon for weight loss can also be
effective since it does not contain any cholesterol and makes you feel
full because of the high fiber content. This can prevent you from
overeating. Consuming musk
melon for diabetes is also considered to be helpful.
Nutrition Value and Medicinal Uses
The
varied medicinal uses of musk melon are due to the high nutritional
value of the fruit. The nutritional values approximately in a cup of the
fruit are 516 RE of vitamin A, 60.18 mg of vitamin B, 68 mg of vitamin
C, 14 mg of sodium, 1.4 gm of protein, and 1.3 gm of dietary fiber. It
also prevents osteoporosis and cancer. The vitamin C present in musk
melon helps in the production of white blood cells that help to fight
infections and build a strong immune system. The natural minerals and
nutrients present in the fruit also give a synergistic combination which
helps the body cope with nicotine withdrawal. Smoking depletes the
amount of vitamin C in the body and by drinking musk melon juice you can
replace it.
Musk Melon for Pregnant Women
The folic acid
present in the fruit is very good for pregnant women and makes the baby
healthy. Its high content of folate is known to prevent the neural tube
defect that occurs in the second week of pregnancy. High folate content
during pregnancy ensures the proper production and maintenance of the
new cells, the synthesis of DNA and RNA. The musk melons being chosen
for consumption should not be hard but a little firm. Do not use fruit
that is soft and yellowing. The melons should also be a little heavy
which will mean that there is a lot of juice in it. Make sure to wash
the musk melons properly before using it since they are grown in the
ground. It is important that you remember some of these tips and choose
the fruits that are most fresh.
More Information:
The
shape of musk melons are usually round but can also be oval with a skin
that has an appearance of being covered in a net. The flesh of the
fruit is orange-yellow in color and is sweet, succulent and soft. Its
texture is similar to honeydew. A good quality fruit will depend on the
melons texture and the sugars that are developed during ripening. When
musk melons become ripe there is a change of color of the rind from
green to yellow or tan within the netting. The picking of the fruit
should be done when there is easy separation of the stem from the vine.
During these stages a crack will be present near the attachment point.
The fruit should not be plucked early as the quality won’t be as good as
the melons that are ripened. These are some of the information &
facts about musk melons.
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