Honeydew melons are cultivated in semiarid regions and like watermelons, they belong to the melon family. The honeydew melon is a round, tasty fruit with pale-green flesh.
Honeydew melons are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for overall health. They generally have low-calorie content and contain no fat or cholesterol. The fiber in honeydew melon makes you feel full, especially if you’re considering shedding some weight. Honeydew melon is also rich in potassium which helps to regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and sodium.
This fruit possesses significant amounts of vitamins A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C. Its vitamin A content promotes eye health while its vitamin C helps the body form resistance against free radicals and their damaging effects. As a good source of vitamin B complex, honeydew melons also strengthen the immune system, increase the good cholesterol in the blood, as well as convert carbohydrates and fats to energy.
The minerals contained in honeydew melon include phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, manganese, and copper. Manganese found in honeydew enhances the metabolism of carbohydrates, stabilizes brain functions, and lowers blood sugar level. Its iron, on the other hand, helps to transport oxygen throughout the body and prevent anemia, while its phosphorus helps control the use of calcium in the body.
Health Benefits of Honeydew Melon
Honeydew melon nourishes the body in many impressive ways. To understand how regular consumption of honeydew melon is important for the body, take a look at these 10 health benefits.
Improves Brain Health
Honeydew contains several components such as potassium, folate, as well as various antioxidants known to offer neurological benefits. Folate significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and reverses cognitive decline. On the other hand, potassium increases blood flow to the brain to boost cognition and focus.
In addition, honeydew melons possess rich amounts of vitamin B6. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to nausea and depression.
Prevents and Treats Diabetes
Honeydew is a fruit with components that monitor the production of insulin in the body. When the production of insulin is insufficient in the body, it can result in diabetes, which is an adverse effect of high blood sugar levels.
Aside from stimulating the production of insulin, honeydew melons also have very low glucose content, thus lowering the risks of developing diabetes.
Aids in Weight Loss
The honeydew melon is able to regulate digestion and lower cholesterol levels as it is rich in fiber. When digestion is improved and your food is digested properly, it eases bowel movement. This lowers the chances of developing digestion-related problems like bloating, constipation, and nausea.
In addition to its rich fiber content, honeydew melons are also low in calories. This is very beneficial for people who are keen on losing weight. This fruit does the body so much good, especially in the area of weight management which in turn prevents serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart ailments, or even cancer.
Boosts Immunity
Honeydew melons provide the body with Vitamin C which plays an essential role for a fortified immune system. The body struggles to combat the accumulation of irregular bacteria, the build-up of excess fat, and ailments when the immune system is not strong enough.
Luckily, according to some studies, honeydew melons are packed with substantial amounts of vitamin C needed to boost immunity.
Strengthens Bones and Teeth
Honeydew is a fruit with high calcium content which is very vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones and teeth. Studies have shown that eating a lot of this fruit can strengthen the bones and teeth for many years.
Promotes Skin and Hair Health
This fruit’s vitamin C content regulates and increases the production of collagen in the body. Collagen is a type of protein that is essential for maintaining a healthy, clear, and young-looking skin. It helps to repair skin tissues and blood vessels as well as improve the skin’s appearance on a cellular level. If you desire a healthy and beautiful skin, then honeydew melons are your best bet.
Sufficient consumption of vitamin C does not only boost the immune system but also produces and maintains collagen, a protein present in hair and skin. In addition, honeydew contains some vitamin A which helps to moisturize the hair via increased production of sebum.
Keeps the Body Hydrated
The honeydew melon is known to have a high amount of water. This fruit is 90% water and also rich in potassium which keeps the body at healthy water levels. This is why honeydew melon is commonly juiced during summer and sunny days as it keeps the body hydrated. It does not only quench thirst, but it also hydrates the body on a cellular level.
Beneficial for Pregnant Women
The body’s demand for vitamin and mineral intake is usually very high during pregnancy. This is a period when the body should get a lot of nutrients because the immune system tends to be weaker than usual. Thankfully, honeydew melon is a fruit that can fill the body with various beneficial nutrients during pregnancy.
This fruit is rich in potassium which assures the body of a healthy heart condition. It also contains vitamin C which fortifies the immune system. If you are pregnant and desire to be strong enough to give birth to a healthy child, honeydew melon comes highly recommended for you.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Studies have shown that eating or drinking the extract of honeydew melon is good for those who suffer from high blood pressure. The high potassium content in this fruit prevents blood pressure from rising and inhibits other heart problems.
Honeydew is jam-packed with potassium and very little amount of sodium. Potassium helps to relax blood vessels and regulate blood pressure levels.
Improves Eye Health
Of all the phytonutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the most vital for the eyes. Interestingly, these phytonutrients are contained in honeydew melon and help to enhance eye health. They stimulate better vision and reduce the risks of eye-related problems such as cataracts, age-related blindness, and macular degeneration.
Side Effects of Honeydew Melon
Honeydew melon is rich in nutrients and can boost overall health. However, as with every food, overeating is bad. Excessive intake of this fruit could result in certain side effects. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Honeydew has high fiber and water content, but consuming too much of it may lead to diarrhea. In fact, if taken in excess, the fruit is known to result in excessive gas and loose stool.
- Since the digestive system tends to be slower at night, it is not advisable to eat sugary or acidic foods like honeydew. This is because the fruit contains natural sugar which may affect sleep quality and cause weight gain.
- Excess of honeydew melons may not be healthy for people who are diabetic as it contains high blood sugar levels. You should consult a doctor before consuming the fruit on a daily basis.
- Exercising portion control is key when consuming honeydew melons. This fruit may be rich in nutrients but our body only needs a small percentage of the nutrients to maintain good health.
- It is important to eat fruits alone and not pair them with anything, not even water. Drinking water after having honeydew melons increases the risk of bacteria expanding across the gastrointestinal tract.
