* 12 Health Benefits of Cantaloupe.

After reading ’12 Health Benefits of Cantaloupe’-Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that- it wouldn’t hurt to add a steady dose of cantaloupe to my diet!

from draxe.com

12 Health Benefits of Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe Melon

1. Great Source of Antioxidants Vitamin A and Vitamin C
Thanks to its high supply of antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, cantaloupe nutrition helps to stop free radical damage by battling oxidative stress in the body.(2) According to research, disease prevention is one major public health benefit that can be achieved by increasing consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupe. (3)

Cantaloupe contains two types of vitamin A antioxidants called beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. And because it contains both of these carotenoids, it also contains some of their derivatives including lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin.

A growing body of literature exists regarding the effects of these antioxidants and other carotenoids on chronic diseases in humans, especially related to how they can reduce dangerous inflammation. Inflammation and free radical damage are tied to the formation of various diseases, therefore consuming cantaloupe is an excellent way to build the body’s defense against age-related conditions and to keep the body feeling young and healthy.

2. Fights Cancer with Powerful Phytochemicals
Cantaloupe is a rich source of antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants have a protective role in the body and the ability to protect cells and other structures from DNA damage and stresses caused by free radicals. For this reason, studies have shown that cantaloupe can be useful in preventing colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

Studies show that cantaloupe’s antioxidants and cucurbitacins result in cancerous cell apoptosis, or self-destruction of the cancerous cells. These helpful chemical pheromones exist naturally in plants in order to protect the plants from external damage, but they also do the same within the human body. Cucurbitacins for example repeatedly show anti-cancer activities within the body when studied, ranging from anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and cell apoptosis.

It’s believed that these compounds have apoptotic effects because they are able to enter the nuclear of the cell where the DNA or genes are stored and to activate apoptotic proteins that destroy harmful cells. (4)(5)

Additionally, many other studies have shown that consuming high amounts of fruit and vegetable sources that are naturally rich in vitamin A and vitamin C is one of the best ways to prevent cell mutation. Including 5 or more fruits and vegetables in your diet everyday can help protect from lung, colon, prostate, and oral cavity cancers because of these positive protective effects.

3. Contains Anti-inflammatory Properties
Studies have shown that in experiments lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are present within the bloodstream of people who have particularly high intakes of cantaloupe and other fruits. Since CRP is a marker widely used to assess levels of inflammation in the body, this shows positive results for cantaloupe stopping dangerous inflammation and autoimmune responses that can lead to disease.

The anti-inflammatory benefits of cantaloupe nutrition stem back to its cucurbitacins, including cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E. These are two known anti-inflammatory compounds which can effectively alleviate pain and symptoms caused by inflammatory diseases.(6)

4. May Help Prevent Heart Disease
Heart disease, including atherosclerosis, is often attributed to high levels of inflammation as one of the leading causes. Many heart-related problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a risk for heart attack or stroke start out with chronic unwanted inflammation and chronic oxidative stress. Cantaloupe nutrition’s cucurbitacins may prove useful in the treatment of different forms of heart disease because of their anti-inflammatory abilities

The most significant mechanisms with regard to cantaloupe’s anti-inflammatory abilities can be found in the fruit’s roots and rind. In fact plants belonging to these Cucurbitaceae species, which cantaloupe does, have been used as folk medicines in some countries for hundreds of years because of their wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as reducing inflammation and the risk for heart disease and cancer.(7)

5. Boosts Immunity
The carotenes and antioxidants found in cantaloupe help to boost the immune system and to prevent infections. (8)

One specific carotenoid, beta-carotene, is especially known for boosting immunity and other chronic diseases. Studies suggest that beta-carotene may enhance immune cell function and this is the reason why it is so useful in combatting notCheck it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in12THaZvss only common illnesses, but serious conditions like cancer too. (9)

6. Helps Muscle Recovery & Stamina
Cantaloupe offers a moderate amount of the electrolyte potassium, with about 14% of your daily needs in every cup. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids. It helps to control a normal heart rate and to regulate healthy blood pressure. It also offers protection against heart disease, stroke, and other problems because of its importance in regulating heart and cell function.

Additionally, the potassium found in cantaloupe is an important nutrient for athletes or those who are especially active. Potassium is considered a vasodilator because it releases the tension of blood vessels and helps increase blood flow. This allows for quicker muscle recovery and reduced stress on the body as you build muscle, strength and endurance.

7. Protects Eye Health
Cantaloupe nutrition supplies important nutrients that play a vital role in protecting eye health including beta carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Zea-xanthin for example is an important carotenoid that is absorbed into the eye’s retinal where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV light-filtering functions. And other studies show that carotenoids help to retard some of the destructive processes in the retina and the retinal pigment lining which lead to age-related macular degeneration.(10)

Since numerous studies have shown that a serious vitamin A or vitamin C deficiency can lead to glaucoma and macular degeneration, or a thickening of the cornea, and even eventually even to blindness, cantaloupe is a great way to prevent such disorders from developing.

8. Protects Skin Health
Orange colored foods, including carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and of course cantaloupe, are also high sources of cartenoids which can reduce skin cancer risk. They are also useful of relieving pain and damage associated with sunburns and preventing signs of aging on the skin including fine lines, discoloration, and wrinkles.

9. Good for Digestion
Cantaloupe is an especially hydrating fruit, very high in water, as most types of melon are. Cantaloupe is made up of a high percentage of water, which the digestive tract needs to stay hydrated, to detoxify the body, and to properly expel toxins and waste out gut. Cantaloupe is also known to be easy on digestion and is free of FODMAPs, which are difficult to digest carbohydrates that can trigger symptoms related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other digestive disorders.

10. Helps the Body to Detox
Cantaloupe nutrition is again rich with electrolytes which also help the body to detox and rid itself of excess water and fluids. This is helpful in relieving uncomfortable symptoms of bad digestion including bloating and swelling. Potassium acts as an electrolyte and promotes blow flow and hydration levels within the body, and allows oxygen to reach your cells. At the same time, it’s useful in balancing water retention in the gut and keeping you from becoming dehydrated, which can stop cases of diarrhea.

11. Restores the Body’s pH Level
Additionally melon varieties, including cantaloupe, are considered to be alkaline foods. This means they are able to help bring the pH level of the body back to its natural level. It’s believed that disease has a much harder time developing in an alkaline environment inside the body, compared to a more acidic system, so eating cantaloupe and other alkaline-forming foods can protect your body from inflammation and disease formation.

12. Low in Calories and Help Support Weight Loss
Cantaloupe contains only 60 calories per cup and is high in water and various nutrients, making a great addition to any weight loss plan. Cantaloupe is a food with a high nutrient density based on the low amount of calories it has, but the high amounts of health benefits it offers overall.

Since those following a low calorie diet can sometimes experience nutrient deficiencies, poor digestion, low immunity, and weakness, adding cantaloupe to your diet can help to balance these risks and ensure you’re acquiring plenty of vitamins and minerals in the process of losing weight.