Fruit - Muskmelon

Muskmelon/Cantaloupe/Honeydew

Principle	Nutrient Value(100g)	Percentage of RDA
Energy	34 Kcal	1.5%
Carbohydrates	8.6 g	6.5%
Protein	0.84 g	1.5%
Total Fat	0.19 g	<1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	0.9 g	2.25%
Vitamins
Folates	21 µg	5%
Niacin	0.734 mg	4.5%
Pantothenicacid	0.105 mg	2%
Pyridoxine	0.072 mg	5.5%
Riboflavin	0.026 mg	2%
Thiamin	0.017 mg	1%
Vitamin A	3382 IU	112%
Vitamin C	36.7 mg	61%
Vitamin E	0.05 mg	0.5%
Vitamin K	2.5 mcg	2%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	267 mg	6%
Minerals
Calcium	9 mg	1%
Copper	41 µg	4.5%
Iron	0.21 mg	2.5%
Magnesium	12 mg	3%
Manganese	0.041 mg	2%
Zinc	0.18 mg	1.5%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-alpha	2020 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-beta	1 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	26 µg	--

1. Improves Immune System:Wonderfully delicious with rich flavor, muskmelons are very low in calories (100 g fruit has just 34 calories) and fats. Nonetheless, the fruit is rich in numerous health promoting poly-phenolic plant derived compounds, vitamins, and minerals that are absolute for optimum health.
2. All type of Cancers:The fruit is an excellent source of Vitamin A, (100 g provides 3382 IU or about 112% of recommended daily levels) one of the highest among cucurbita fruits. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and is essential for healthy vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A has been known to help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. It is also rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen-free radicals and hence; offer protection against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
3. Improves Eyesight:Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid, selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eye where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV light-filtering functions. It, thus, offers protection of eyes from "Age-related macular degeneration" (ARMD) disease in the elderly.
4. Heart Disease:It is a moderate source of electrolyte, potassium. 100 g fruit provides 267 mg of this electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and helps control heart rate and blood pressure. It thus offers protection against stroke, and coronary heart diseases.
5. Digestive System:It properly nourishes the digestive system, stimulates its functioning and helps in treating lack of appetite. It makes the bowel movement very smooth and easy thus helps in keeping proper digestion.
6. Acidity:
7. weight loss:If you are a dieter, then muskmelon is an excellent fruit for you. It has significant amount of fiber and provides you the feeling of fullness quickly.
8. Help curing insomnia:Regular consumption of muskmelon juice can help to treat lack of appetite, acidity, ulcer and urinary tract infections. It can reduce the heat in the body largely and therefore can prevent heat related disorders. It can relieve tiredness. It has effective laxative properties and so can help curing insomnia.
9. Constipation:Its high water and dietary fibers content help people to get relief from the constipation and other digestive disorders if consumed regularly.
10. Diarrhea :It provides relief from the diarrhea if it is eaten by sprinkling the mixture of kali mirch, ginger powder, sendha namak and roasted powdered jeera.
11. Fastens the wound healing process:It contains a most essential element of the skin called collagen which helps in maintaining the natural skin integrity and texture. It also fastens the wound healing process as well as maintaining the skin firmness.
12. Treatment of Menstrual Problems:Its high potassium level helps in excreting extra sodium in the body and maintains blood pressure to the normal level thus helps women during menstruation by reducing the heavy blood flow and clots formation.
13. Pregnancy:Regular consumption of the musk melon during lactation helps mothers by enhancing the sufficient breast milk production to properly feed their baby.
    It is rich in folic acid and iron which are very essential for both mother and baby. It keeps baby healthy and provides better environment for the proper growth and development by preventing baby from the birth defects.
    It provides relief from the morning sickness during first trimester of pregnancy.
14. Weight Loss:It is a very good option for those greatly conscious towards their health and weight as it effectively helps in managing the weight without much effort.
15. Kidney Problems:Its high water and minerals content provides natural cooling and soothing effects thus provides relieve from the heartburn and kidney problems.It is highly diuretic in nature which keeps kidneys safe by keeping it away from the kidney diseases if it is taken once in the morning regularly.It reduces the risk of kidney stones formation as well as prevents from the age related bone loss.
16. Anti Infections:It prevents from the urinary tract infections, ulcers and etc problems. It makes defense mechanism of the body stronger to check the foreign bodies attack thus prevents from various infections.
17. Aids concentration and memory:It is a mild anti depressant thus provides relief from stress by stimulating the proper brain functioning.
    Eating crushed cantaloupe seeds can help to expel intestinal worms. They are also effective in treating cough, fever and indigestion.
18. Disorders funtioning in body:It reduces the bad cholesterol level in the blood, stimulates weight loss, cures infections, ulcer, constipation, skin disorders, acidity, and nervous system disorders.
19. Helps Smokers to Quit Smoking:Cantaloupe is beneficial for those who are trying to quit smoking. This is because the minerals and nutrients in cantaloupe enable the smoker to deal with nicotine withdrawal symptoms effectively. Moreover, it helps the body to recover faster by replenishing the lost vitamin A of the body due to constant smoking.
20. Toothache:Cantaloupe rind is effective in curing toothache. For this purpose, you can take about 6 grams of cantaloupe skin, add water and simmer till cooked. On cooling, strain and use it as a mouth rinse.

1. Skin Problems:It prevents from the rough and dry skin problems, removes black spots, blemishes and other scars.It helps in maintaining skin hydrated and rejuvenating as it contains vitamins K, B and E.It helps in inducing skin regeneration process by inducing the collagen formation thus provides skin youthful glow and natural elasticity.
   1. Hydrates and Rejuvenates Skin
   2. Skin Regeneration
   3. Anti-ageing Benefits
   4. Treatment of Eczema and Other Skin Problems
2. Hair:It is the richest source of vital nutrients and essential minerals which helps in maintaining the growth of hair and health of scalp.It prevents from the hair fall and hair loss by promoting proper hair growth if consumed regularly.It acts as a good hair conditioner in the hot season if hair scalp is massaged properly with muskmelon pulp and then wash.
   1. Combats Hair Loss
   2. Perfect Conditioner:All you need to do is mash a cup of cantaloupe with a fork and massage your hair with this pulp after shampooing. Wash off after 10 minutes.

1. Muskmelon does not have any disadvantage, side effect or allergic fruit however eating inorganically grown muskmelons should be avoided to get prevented from pesticide residues. Eating more muskmelons should be avoided during pregnancy, breast feeding or any serious condition of the health. Whole muskmelon should be washed properly under running water as it may cause some infections and digestive problems.

1. Season Available:Cantaloupes best grow during the summer months.
2. Selection:Oftentimes, it is difficult to judge ripeness and taste without checking the wedge section of the melon. Look for one that feel heavy for its size with a clean rind, and is neither overly shiny nor lusterless, without any cuts or bruises on the surface, which might have occurred while transporting the fruit.
3. Storing:At home, place them in cool, well-ventilated place. Cut sections, however, should be kept inside the refrigerator.
4. Serving:Peel off and depending upon the size you desire, the fruit can be sliced, cubed or scooped into balls.
5. Dosage Per Day:Eating muskmelon during summer season is very good and healthy for the body nourishment however its high dose should be avoided. 300-400 gm of the muskmelon can be eaten by any normal person during the summer season but should be immediately consulted by the physician if any problem occurs.
6. Safety:The surface of cantaloupe may harbor harmful salmonella bacteria, especially along the minor cracks and cuts. Therefore, wash the whole fruit in cold running water thoroughly before consumption.
7. Cooking Tips:
   1. The fruit sections are a great addition to fruit salad.
   2. Jam, sorbet, and juice are some nutritious and delicious items you can prepare with muskmelon.
   3. Cantaloupes can be added in the desserts, with ice-cream, or custard.