The names cantaloupe and muskmelon are often used interchangeably, but they are technically different. The muskmelon is known as ‘cucumis melo’ scientifically, its name deriving from the musky fragrance produced when the fruit is ripe. Muskmelon is highly nutritious, holding good amounts of fibre, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Although muskmelon may have some downsides, the nutritional benefits of muskmelon outweigh the negatives.

Nutritional Facts of Muskmelon

Below is a table detailing the nutritional facts of muskmelon per 100g:

Benefits of Muskmelon

The consumption of muskmelon will have an overall benefit on your health due to its numerous nutritional qualities. Health benefits of muskmelon include:

1. Low Calorie Content and Energy Increase

Muskmelon can make a great snack for those wishing to keep their calorie intake low. The low sugar content within the fruit means that its calorie content is also low. Also, due to the high content of water within the fruit, it helps those who consume it to feel hydrated, and satisfy their hunger cravings. Consumption of the fruit can provide those who have eaten it with a boost of natural energy.

2. Helps with Losing Weight

As mentioned, the calorie content of muskmelon is low, so is the fat content. This means that they are beneficial to those trying to lose weight, as they can be substantially filling,leading you to gain no weight. Alsomuskmelons are high in potassium, which helps to eradicate fat around the belly.

3. Helps to Promote Digestive System Health

Some research has indicated that consumption of muskmelon can have a positive effect on digestive system functionality, as well as help provide relief to individuals who are experiencing indigestion, or other digestive conditions, including constipation. It is often suggested to those experiencing constipation to consume more fibre in their diet, and muskmelon is rich in the right fibre.

4. Helps to Control Blood Pressure

Muskmelon is rich in potassium, which is an important mineral within the human body and plays a vital role in ensuring the correct balance of electrolytes within the body is maintained. This also helps to enhance an individual’s blood flow, which in turn will help to keep blood pressure at an optimum level, and also help to prevent heart disease and stroke.

5. Increases Urination

Muskmelon is a natural diuretic, which means it increases the amount of urine passed by those who consume it, due to its high content of water. Increased instances of urination help to eliminate toxins and excess water from the body, and help to promote good kidney health.

6. Packed Full of Antioxidants

Antioxidants help to promote optimum bodily health, and muskmelons are packed full of them. Within muskmelon, you will find vitamins A and B, potassium, folic acid, and beta-carotene. Consumption of these antioxidants can help promote good skin health, as well as good health overall.

7. Helps to Prevent Cancers

Muskmelons contain an abundance of flavonoids, such as crymtoxanthin and zeaxanthin, which act as strong antioxidants that work to protect cells against free-radicals. This means that consumption of the fruit can help to protect against lung, prostate, colon, breast, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers.

8. Improves Eyesight

As mentioned, muskmelons are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for optimum vision. Therefore, consumption of muskmelon helps to strengthen and improve the eyes and an individual’s vision ability.

9. Strengthens the Immune System

Vitamin C helps to promote good white blood cell production, which works within the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses, and muskmelon has high levels of vitamin C. This high level of vitamin C, when consumed, will also help to treat other conditions, such as ulcers.

10. Beneficial During Pregnancy

Due to the folic acid, or folate, within muskmelon, it can have a positive effect on women who are pregnant by helping to remove excess amounts of sodium from within the body, and avoid water retention.

11. Reduces Intensity of Menstrual Cramps

Consumption of muskmelon can help to ease menstrual cramps by relaxing the muscles and dissolving clots, thanks to its anti-coagulant properties.

12. Helps with Sleeping

Due to the muscle relaxing benefits of muskmelon, it can help those who consume it to sleep, which can prove especially helpful to those with sleep disorders, such as insomnia.

13. Helps Individuals to Quit Smoking

Those attempting to remove this damaging habit from their lifestyle may find the consumption of muskmelon to be useful, as it works to revitalize the lungs and help to recuperate from the withdrawal of nicotine, the addictive substance within cigarettes.

14. Extremely Beneficial for the Skin

Because of the abundance of essential nutrients found within muskmelon, consumption of the fruit can help to prevent any skin problems, such as spots. It also helps to maintain the texture and firmness of the skin due to its collagen content, as well as help with skin regeneration. The vitamins within muskmelon, particularly vitamins B, E, and K, help to keep the skin of those who consume it hydrated.

15. Promotes Hair Growth /Prevents Hair Loss

Due to the high amount of essential nutrients within muskmelon, consumption of the fruit can help to promote the growth of new hair, which in turn helps to prevent hair loss.

16. Mild Antidepressant Qualities

The consumption of muskmelon will deliver mild antidepressant qualities, meaning it can help to treat mild cases of anxiety, depression, and stress.

How to Select, Store, and Enjoy Muskmelons

Muskmelon is best from the month of June to the month of August, although they are available all year round.

When selecting a fruit, look for ones that are free from tears, cuts, and bruising, and ensure the stem isn’t shrivelled, as this is an indication that the fruit was picked too early. When checking for ripeness, push against the fruit on the opposite end to the stem, a ripe fruit will yield gentle pressure upon your finger. Ripe ones have yellow-gold rind and a muskyfragrance.

To store muskmelons, place them in your refrigerator, where they can reside for up to three days before spoiling. If cut before storage, ensure that they are wrapped tightly before they are stored. If the muskmelon is particularly hard, leaving it at room temperature will allow it to soften, and be ready for consumption after a day or two.

Before eating the fruit, ensure that it has been washed thoroughly with clean soapy water, to remove any bacteria and unwanted substances from the surface of the fruit, and then thoroughly rinse with clean water.  Once the fruit has been washed, cut the stem area from off of the fruit, then cut it in half and deseed. From here, it can be cut into any shape and size and eaten immediately, or stored properly. Muskmelons can be eaten at breakfast, as a snack, or accompanying a main meal within a salad or dessert.

Benefits of Muskmelon Seeds and How to Enjoy

 The seeds within the muskmelon can be discarded, or consumed. The seeds contain many benefits, some of which are detailed below:

Good Source of Protein

Muskmelon seeds are a good source of protein, and can be particularly useful to those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets, as they provide natural sources of protein, which many would usually obtain from meat and animal products.

High in Vitamins and Minerals

Muskmelon seeds, much like the fruit, are high in vitamins and minerals. Within the seeds, you will find Vitamins A, C, and E, all of which provide numerous befits to an individual’s overall health.

Helps Cardiovascular Function

Muskmelon seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help to promote good cardiovascular health and fight against cardiovascular disease.