9 Essential Health Benefits of Honeydew Melon - Reasons Why You Should Consider Adding Honeydew Into Your Diet Plan

Fun fact: Dried and roasted melon seeds are consumed as healthy snacks in countries from the Middle East

Introduction

A good addition to your healthy meal plan, honeydew melon is a member of the melon family. It is usually round in shape with a pale green flesh. Cultivated in semiarid regions, its juicy and sweet flesh is commonly incorporated in salads.

Aside from its smooth and lightly colored peel and delicious flesh, this fruit is also packed with loads of nutrients.

Muskmelons are generally low in calorie content. Honeydew melon is of no exception. A serving of this fruit, 177 grams, has 64 calories only with almost no fat and zero cholesterol. Plus, the 6% of the daily value of fiber helps you feel full especially if you’re trying to lose weight.

Honeydew melon is also rich in potassium with 12% DV, which forms part of the cell and body fluids in order to control blood pressure and heart rate. Potassium is important to regulate another form of electrolyte, sodium, for the body to perform its functions.

The primary vitamins that are found in honeydew melons are vitamins A and C. The 53% DV of vitamin C helps the body to strengthen resistance from oxygen-free radicals and other harmful agents. Vitamin A, at 2% DV, also helps to keep the mucus and membranes healthy, while promoting an equally healthy vision.

It is also a good source of vitamin B complex more particularly thiamin (B1), niacin (B3), pantothenic (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Thiamine plays a vital role in the production of new cells as well as in the protection of the immune system. Niacin, meanwhile, heightens the good cholesterol, which is crucial to lessen bad cholesterol in the blood. Pantothenic finds importance in the body because it breaks down carbohydrates and fats to be used as energy. Moreover, aside from the anti-inflammatory properties of pyridoxine, it also affects the sleep pattern or mood of a person because of the hormones it produces.

For the minerals, honeydew melon yields good amount of calcium and zinc (1% DV) and iron, copper, manganese and phosphorus (2% DV). Iron is found in all cells and functions as a transporter of oxygen throughout the body. Lack of iron in the body may result to anemia, which could further impair body organs. Phosphorus, another essential mineral, helps regulate the use of calcium in the body and for normal cell functioning. Manganese, on the other hand, boosts metabolism of carbohydrates, regulates blood sugar level, and normalizes brain and nerve functions.

Fresh Sliced Melon with Prosciutto and Basil

Essential Health Benefits of Honeydew

Honeydew is of the same family as watermelon. This fruit has a sweet and refreshing taste commonly juiced during warm sunny days. Honeydew melon is also jam-packed with various vitamins and minerals essential to achieve optimal health. Associating this tasty and nutritious fruit in your daily diet will nourish your body in many ways. On top of containing many vitamins and minerals, honeydew melon is also low in calorie perfect for those who are calorie conscious. For you to understand better how regular intake of honeydew melon is important for the body below are its health benefits.

Promotes Weight Loss

Honeydew melon is rich in fiber that regulates digestion as well as help lower overall body cholesterol level. Improved digestion means that your food intake is digested properly and quickly resulting to regular bowel movement. This will reduce chances of having digestion-related issues such as constipation and the likes. Aside from its fiber content, honeydew melon is also low in calories. This is very preferable for those who are very keen in keeping their bodies fit. Intake of this fruit will do your body many good because weight management prevents many more serious disease and illnesses like high blood pressure, heart ailments, or worst cancer.

Stronger Bones and Teeth

This fruit has high calcium content which is very good in keeping the bones and teeth healthy and strong. If you want to enjoy younger and stronger bones and teeth through the years, eating a lot of honeydew melon will greatly help.

Hydrates the Body

The melon fruit family is known to contain high amount of water. This fruit is not just 90% water but is also rich in potassium that assures the body has regular water levels. That is why this fruit is popularly juiced on summer and on hot sunny days because it keeps the body hydrated and also effectively quenches thirst at the same time. It hydrates the body on a cellular level.

Curbs Hypertension

Studies have proven that eating or drinking the extract of this fruit is good for those who are hypertensive. It is because of its high potassium content that prevents blood elevation and its effects.

Nourishes the Skin

Honeydew melon has Vitamin C that regulates and heightens collagen production and growth in the body. Collagen plays vital role in keeping the skin healthy, fair, and young looking because it is the type of protein that repairs and nourished the skin tissues and blood vessels. Collagen beautifies the skin on a cellular level. If you want beautiful skin from the inside out, better eat plenty of honeydew melon.

Improves Overall eye Health

Some of the most important phytonutrients needed by the eyes are lutein and zeaxanthin which happens to be present in honeydew melon. Lutein and zeaxanthin improves the overall eye health resulting in better vision and reduced risks of eye related disorders such as cataracts, ARMD or age-related macular degeneration, age-related blindness and the likes.

Boosts Immune System

Honeydew melon suffices the body with Vitamin C that plays vital role for a stronger immune system. If your immune system is strong enough, the body will be able to fight off irregular bacteria build-up, excess fat development, and illnesses on its own. You will not have to worry with getting sick easily. Research found that this fruit fills up the body up to 34% of Vitamin C demand.

Prevents and Treats Diabetes

This fruit contains properties that regulate the insulin production in the body. Diabetes is an effect either of high blood sugar levels because of insufficient production of insulin in the body or the inability of the body to react from insulin or both. Aside from its insulin stimulating components, honeydew melon is also very low in glucose despite its sweet taste. This fruit will surely satisfy those who like eating sweet food and drinks. Aside from satisfying their sweet tooth, glucose intake is low thus decreasing risks of having diabetes. This notion also applies to those who are already suffering from diabetes.

Recommended for Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, the body demands higher level of vitamin and mineral intake. This is the period that your body should receive utmost nutrients because immunity tends to be weaker than normal. The body should get as much nutrients more than ever. Honeydew melon fills the body with various nutrients especially during pregnancy. It is high in potassium that maintains healthy heart condition. It also has Vitamin C that strengthens the immune system. If you want to be healthy to give birth to a healthy child, it is highly recommended to eat honeydew melon as much as you can.