Cantaloupe: what kind of fruit is it and how is it healthy

Cantaloupe is a melon variety that is gaining popularity among gardeners every year for its unpretentiousness. The fruit has a pleasant taste, light aroma and contains a large number of useful trace elements.

What is this fruit

Cantaloupe is an exotic name for one of the melon varieties that tastes amazing. Today it is grown in many parts of the world. In agriculture, she gained popularity due to its unpretentiousness and simple care.

Cantaloupe will be a great addition to the festive table. Jam, jams and desserts, candied fruits and dried fruits are prepared from it. Due to its composition, it has a positive effect on the body, helping to increase immunity.

What does it look like

Melon grows on a large bush with powerful long lashes and dark green leaves. Its roots are superficial and do not grow deep. First, the sprouts in their appearance resemble clover. As they develop, they mutate and grow to large sizes. The flowers are light yellow in color and open in late June.

Cantaloupe, like many varieties of melons, has round fruits. They are covered with a thick peel, on the surface of which you can notice small hairs. The weight of each fetus can range from 500 g to 4.5 kg.

Melon of this variety is known for its special aroma. It was thanks to him that she was called musky (nutmeg).

Ripening of fruits depends on the area of ​​growth. But most often you can enjoy ripe melon no earlier than August. By September, she is gaining sweetness and juiciness.

Where grows

Cantaloupe 2000 years ago was grown by farmers in the territory of modern Armenia. Catholic monks then brought fruit seeds to Europe. The variety was named after the estate of Cantalupia. It belonged to the Pope. It was there that the fruit was cultivated.

Today melon of this variety is grown in almost all countries. But it is especially popular in Thailand. Despite the fact that the cantaloupe belongs to the southern varieties, it also adapts perfectly to the humid, cool climate of the European part of Russia.

What is useful cantaloupe melon

Cantaloupe in its composition has many useful substances. These are vitamins, minerals and other trace elements. They are practically not lost even after heat treatment. The dried cantaloupe is popular in Thailand.

Due to the presence of a large number of trace elements, melon has a positive effect on the human body. Useful properties of a cantaloupe include:

1. Normalization of sebum production.
2. Maintaining the process of collagen production.
3. Improving the condition of the skin and hair.
4. Maintaining water-electrolyte balance.
5. Slowing down processes associated with age-related changes.
6. Improving the quality of vision due to the presence of vitamin A.
7. UV protection.
8. Reducing the risk of retinal degeneration.
9. Normalization of blood pressure as a result of the impact of trace elements on the vascular walls.
10. Prevention of muscle loss during dieting.
11. Reducing the likelihood of developing bronchial asthma.
12. Prevention of stroke and heart attack, which is achieved by keeping magnesium in sufficient quantities in a melon.
13. Prevention of cancer. This is achieved by the fruit's ability to excrete radionuclides and free radicals.
14. Excretion of cholesterol. The substance has the ability to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels and disrupt blood circulation.
15. Prevention of dehydration, which is important for people living in hot regions.
16. Acceleration of peristalsis.

Among other things, cantaloupe prevents the accumulation of toxins, toxins in the body, solid formations in the kidneys, salts in the joints. A glass of melon pulp contains the daily norm of vitamin C, which has a positive effect on immunity. Due to its composition, the fruit helps maintain the body's defenses during the season of colds, flu and in the presence of a number of diseases.

Which may be harmful

Despite its benefits and many useful properties, cantaloupe can also cause harm to the body.

1. The product should not be introduced into the diet when there is an individual intolerance.
2. With the excessive use of cantaloupes, allergic reactions can occur, digestive disorders. The occurrence of diarrhea is often noted.
3. Also, you should not eat cantaloupe with honey. This combination provokes intestinal obstruction. This is especially dangerous for young children.
4. Dysbacteriosis and prolonged diarrhea occur when a product is used with milk. You should not eat melon on an empty stomach, as there is increased gas formation.
5. Combining the product and alcohol is also not recommended. This is due to the fact that during their interaction hepatic colic occurs, the consequences of which are impossible to predict. In this case, the manifestation of signs of poisoning is often observed. These include nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness.

You should not eat cantaloupe in the presence of the following diseases:

1. Diabetes. The product contains a large amount of sugar.
2. Stones in the kidneys. Melon provokes their movement, which is accompanied by severe pain.
3. Pancreatitis of a chronic form or proceeding in an acute stage. Enzymes contained in the product increase the load on the affected organ.

Melon is not recommended for people prone to diarrhea. When breastfeeding, the product must be discarded so that the child does not have an allergy.

Negative consequences will not arise if you use cantaloupe in small portions.

How to eat cantaloupe

Nutmeg is most often consumed fresh. It has a pleasant aroma, special taste. But it is important to thoroughly wash the product before use. This is due to the fact that salmonella is present on the surface of the peel.

When ingested, the parasite begins to actively develop and affect the internal organs. The disease that occurs when an infection gets is called salmonellosis. It is quite dangerous for both children and adults. In the absence of timely assistance, death can occur.

Also cantaloupe is eaten dried or dried. Candied fruits are also made from it, which can be an excellent addition to baking, tea or coffee.

What can be prepared from cantaloupe

Nutmeg is most often eaten fresh. But it is usually done by those who grow it, which is due to the short shelf life of the product.

Jam is made from melon. It has a pleasant light aroma and amazing taste. Candied fruits are also popular. But the process of their preparation is laborious, which is associated with the features of the product.

Application in traditional medicine

Nutmeg contains in its composition many useful substances. That is why, with proper use, it is beneficial and can be used for certain diseases.Experts recommend eating it fresh in small portions in the presence of the following pathologies:

Bronchial asthma

Beta-carotene is present in the cantaloupe. This substance helps reduce the risk of developing the disease. In addition, the product contains vitamin C in large quantities, which also has a positive effect on the immune system.

Hypertension

High blood pressure is more common in older people. It is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms in the form of weakness and headache. The use of cantaloupe helps to maintain the health of the heart muscle, lower blood pressure due to the content of potassium, dietary fiber, and B vitamins. Thus, eating melon and other foods with potassium helps to reduce the risk of stroke, kidney stones.

Oncology

According to experts, melon helps to reduce the risk of cancer. This is due to the presence of beta-carotene and other substances. According to studies, it was found that regular use of cantaloupe helps reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.

Indigestion

A sufficient amount of water is present in the cantaloupe, which is also necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In addition, the product also contains dietary fiber. They have a positive effect on the digestive system, support their work. Melon is especially useful for people who eat fast food and fast food.

Dehydration

Lack of water in the body affects the dryness of the mucous membranes, skin, weakness. Cantaloupe is rich in water and is used by residents of hot countries to combat thirst in the summer.

Inflammation

Nutmeg melon copes with the inflammatory process that affects various tissues of the body. This property is due to the presence of choline. The substance is necessary to maintain the structure of cell membranes, which helps to eliminate inflammation. Choline also contributes to the absorption of fatty acids, takes part in the process of reducing muscle tissue, helps to improve brain function, improve sleep.

Thus, the use of nutmeg in folk medicine is due to its composition. Thanks to the content of useful substances, it helps to fight some diseases. To do this, include cantaloupe in your diet in small portions.

Application in cosmetology

Nutmeg is also good for hair and skin. This is due to the presence of vitamin A in the composition. It is he who has a positive effect on their condition.

Vitamin C is also necessary for building collagen fibers. Thus, it is recommended that women include cantaloupe in their diet to maintain their natural beauty.

How to grow

The cantaloupe loves sunny areas with neutral soil. In spring, seedlings are planted in open ground after the threat of night frost disappears. After landing in open ground, it is covered with film at night or in cool weather during the day.

Caring for a cantaloupe involves regular loosening of the soil and weeding. The plant is also regularly watered, especially in dry weather. Water for irrigation should be warm.

Before the bush blooms, nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The mineral complex is used after the ovaries are already formed.

After the 5–7th leaf is formed, pinch long loops. It is important to leave only no more than four lateral processes.

Interesting facts about cantaloupe

1. For the first time, the cantaloupe was mentioned in the drawings that were found in the annals of the people of India. They are dated 2000 BC.
2. The product received its name thanks to the Pope. The Crusaders presented him with an exquisite dessert, the taste of which was appreciated. After that, the Pope ordered to bring fruit seeds and grow on the estate of Cantaloupe, where the variety was ennobled.
3. In the still lifes of Dutch artists you can almost always see a cut muscat melon.
4. Cantaloupe is also valued in America for its aroma. It is thanks to him that perfumers add fruit essential oil to creams and perfumes.

Nutmeg is a popular product in hot countries. It was also spread in the territory of tsarist Russia. Today it is practically not grown in our country. But experts cannot find the reasons for this, since the culture is rather unpretentious. The variety is common in Uzbekistan.

Cantaloupe is a type of melon. It has many properties and contains a large number of useful substances. That is why it is recommended for use in the presence of certain diseases. But it should be eaten only in limited quantities, since abuse can cause certain consequences.

Cantaloupe photo