Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) or muskmelon is a favorite breakfast melon and is also good as an appetizer or constituent in fruit salads. The cantaloupe is native to Africa, Iran, and India. The North American variety is closely related to muskmelon with a firm, orange, moderately sweet flesh and a thin, reticulated, light-brown rind. The European cantaloupe looks different from the North American variety with a gray-green skin.

Here are the 7 health benefits of cantaloupe.

1.     Cantaloupes could help improve digestive health.

Cantaloupes contain a significant amount of dietary fiber with 2 grams per cup. The daily recommended dietary fiber intake for men and women are 38 grams and 25 grams, respectively. Fiber may help prevent constipation, making your bowel movement easier to manage.

2.     Cantaloupes have a lower glycemic index value.

The glycemic index ranks food and drinks based on their blood sugar increase potential. Foods high on the glycemic index like white rice and white bread will break down easily and cause blood sugar and insulin level spikes after meals, which is followed by rapidly dropping blood sugar levels. The sugar from cantaloupes is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, which prevents sugar crashes, sugar cravings, and mood swings.

3.     Cantaloupes can help maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Cantaloupes are loaded with potassium and a low content of sodium, decreasing the risk of hypertension. They are well known because of its high potassium content. One cup of mangoes contains 473 milligrams of potassium, compared to 28.3 milligrams of sodium. This helps the blood vessels relax and maintains proper blood pressure.

4.     Cantaloupes can contribute to improving your heart’s health.

Fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium have been known to improve the heart’s health. The recommended 4,700 mg of potassium is not obtained by many individuals in the United States, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, despite the benefits of increased potassium intake. One study suggested that people who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium, approximately 1,000 mg per day.

5.     Cantaloupes may improve your brain’s health.

Several components of oranges, such as potassium, folate, and various antioxidants are known to provide neurological benefits. Folate has been known to reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Potassium has been linked to increased blood flow to the brain, enhance cognition, improved concentration, and efficient neural activity.

Also, cantaloupes contain substantial amounts of vitamin B6. A deficiency has shown depression and nausea. Be sure not to consume too much. The vitamin B6 upper limit is set to 100 mg for adults over the age of 18, but adults do not need that much unless directed by the doctor.

6.     Cantaloupes can help you fight infections.

One cup of cantaloupes contains 108 percent of the vitamin C daily requirements. Vitamin C is a potent natural water-soluble antioxidant that helps the body develop resistance to infectious agents and eliminates cancer-causing free radicals in the body. 

7.     Cantaloupes are great for your hair and skin.

Adequate vitamin C intake does not only improve the immune system, but vitamin C can also create and maintain collagen, an important protein found in hair and skin. Also, cantaloupes contain 120 percent of recommended vitamin A. Vitamin A has been known to keep the hair moisturized through increased sebum production.