How melon is useful for the body

Fragrant melon is a delicacy that is appreciated by both adults and children. But in addition to its excellent taste, the fruit has many health benefits. We will find out what are the benefits and harms of melon, how and in what quantities it can be eaten, as well as for what diseases it is recommended to use funds based on it.

Melon is a berry or a fruit

The first question worth answering is melon is a fruit, berry, or, in general, a vegetable. It is more common to call it a fruit - it is fragrant, juicy and sweet, suitable for fruit salads. But the fruit does not grow on a tree like an ordinary fruit, but on the ground like a berry. Just like the berries, the melon has a juicy middle and hard seeds.

But from a biological point of view, melon is a vegetable. It is the edible fruit of a herbaceous plant, which is characteristic of vegetables. It has a root system similar to that of a cucumber, as well as leaves similar in shape, color and texture.

Melon composition and calorie content

The next interesting question is how many calories are in a melon. The calorie content of a melon per 100 grams is only 33 kcal. It contains 0.6 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat and 7.4 g of carbohydrates. It contains the following minerals:

• magnesium;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• copper;
• iron;
• iodine;
• fluorine;
• phosphorus;
• sodium.

Also, the fruit contains a significant amount of dietary fiber, which is typical for fruits and vegetables.

What vitamins are in melon

The benefits of melon for the body are largely due to the presence of vitamins in it. Despite the fact that most of the weight of the fruit is water, it is rich in vitamins A, groups B, C, E, H, PP.

Melon health benefits

Now let's look at what health benefits the product has:

1. Ability to nourish, energize, uplift and improve emotional well-being.
2. Cleansing the skin, strengthening hair, walls of blood vessels and nerve fibers - all this thanks to silicon.
3. Improving bowel function and digestion in general due to the large amount of fiber.
4. Normalization of energy processes in the body, which is provided by vitamins PP and folic acid.
5. Improving the appearance of the skin, for which the B vitamins are responsible.
6. Mild diuretic effect of melon juice.
7. Strengthens the nervous system with B vitamins, potassium and silicon.
8. Beneficial effect on the heart, blood quality, provided by vitamins B1 and B2.
9. Supports the immune system with vitamins A and C.

Separately, it is worth talking about the beneficial properties for male and female health.

How melon is useful for men

Men can use melon products to treat prostate problems. The fetus also contains zinc, which improves the quality of sperm.

Melon benefits for women

Folic acid in the composition eases the difficulties of pregnancy and menopause. Thanks to silicon, the skin condition improves: rashes and irritation disappear, wrinkles are smoothed. Good for the skin and A-antioxidants - they increase elasticity and prevent stretch marks.

Melon for weight loss

The fruit is suitable as a dietary component due to its low calorie content. A diuretic effect will also be useful, relieving edema, as well as the ability to remove toxins.

The fruit consists of 90% water, so it saturates well without overloading the body with extra calories.

At what age can a child be given a melon

In the summer season, parents may be concerned about the question of whether children can melon. Pediatricians do not recommend giving it to babies under one year old. This can harm the baby's digestive system. Children who are one year old will find the product useful: folic acid has a beneficial effect on the formation of blood cells, and vitamin A will improve vision and support growth processes.

Is it possible to melon during pregnancy

This kind of vegetable is useful for the body of the expectant mother and child due to the following properties:

1. Increased hemoglobinresponsible for transporting oxygen and supplying it to the fetus.
2. Improvement of intestinal motilitythat helps eliminate toxins and fight constipation.
3. Removal of fluid from the body, thereby reducing puffiness.

However, the use of the product is not recommended in the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy due to the possible harm. Increased intestinal peristalsis can cause an increase in the tone of the myometrium. Therefore, there is a possibility of a short term miscarriage or premature birth in the 3rd trimester.

Melon breastfeeding

A nursing mother can eat a melon, subject to certain conditions:

1. The first portion should be eaten in the morning and in small quantities to check the child's reaction.
2. Fruit should be eaten separately from other foods, as a separate meal.
3. It is important not to overeat - even the most harmless food in large quantities can be harmful.
4. It is advisable to eat the melon during its ripening season. The use of imported fruits must be abandoned, in return for receiving the benefits of candied melon fruits.

The body of each woman and child is individual, therefore, in any particular case, it is important to take into account the doctor's recommendations.

Melon for diabetes

The fruits do not accumulate glucose, so it is safe for diabetics to use them. Nevertheless, the composition contains sucrose, the negative effect of which even vitamins cannot eliminate. It turns out that melon should be eaten with other products, but there are not so many products that can be combined with it. Therefore, before using it for diabetes mellitus, it is important to consult a doctor who will establish an acceptable norm for the patient.

Is melon harmful for pancreatitis?

With this disease, eating fruit is not allowed, and there are several reasons for this:

1. The product increases the amount of gastric juice, which harms the pancreas.
2. Fiber and sugars cause fermentation, which can lead to heavy bowel movements, gas and discomfort.
3. Carbohydrates, of which the fetus predominantly consists, load the endocrine structures of the pancreas.

In the stage of remission, the product can be eaten in the form of jelly or mousse. If there is no negative effect, then small pieces of the fruit can be consumed fresh, but not earlier than a week after the exacerbation.

The benefits and harms of dried melon

Dried melon is no less useful than fresh melon: all valuable components are preserved in it. It is thanks to them that the product has useful properties:

1. These dried fruits will have a beneficial effect on the condition of bones, hair, heart and blood vessels.
2. The product contains a large amount of dietary fiber that cleanses the intestines from decay products.
3. A special enzyme in the composition of dried fruits helps with stress, insomnia, and restores strength.

However, due to the high amount of sugar, diabetics should be careful with dried fruit. Dried fruits, like fresh ones, can lead to eating disorders due to poor compatibility with other foods.

The beneficial properties of melon juice

Melon juice is a healthy and nutritious drink that quenches thirst well and has a positive effect on the body:

• improves kidney function;
• cleans the body of chemotherapy products;
• has a diuretic effect;
• relieves joint pain.

Juice is especially useful for the elderly. Its components prevent memory impairment and concentration, and rejuvenate the body. The juice is prepared not only from the pulp of the fruit, but also from its peel - this drink has an anti-stress effect thanks to essential oils.

Melon seeds: benefits and recipes of traditional medicine

The benefits of melon seeds are due to the high amount of potassium, sodium and magnesium. They also contain B vitamins, which contribute to tissue repair. Seeds have other beneficial properties:

• remove heavy metals and pesticides from the body;
• normalize cholesterol levels;
• improve potency;
• prevent prostate adenoma;
• enhance the effect of medications;
• have a positive effect on metabolism.

These positive characteristics make the seeds of the fruit an effective traditional medicine.

Against cholecystitis

To treat this ailment, an infusion of seeds is prepared. 1 tsp seeds, crushed into powder, are poured with boiled milk and additionally boiled for 4 minutes. You need to take the remedy 2 times a day.

Against urolithiasis

To remove kidney stones, 1 kg of seeds must be boiled in 5 liters of water. When about 3 liters of water remains in the pot, the broth should be cooled, bottled and refrigerated. The tool should be drunk half a glass three times a day before meals.

Application in cosmetology

Masks based on fruit pulp rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, soothe irritation, and make hair beautiful and healthy.

Face masks

For skin nutrition 2 tbsp. l. mashed pulp should be mixed with 1 tsp. honey and apply to the skin of the face. The mask should be kept for about 30 minutes.

To get rid of irritation, you need to mix a mashed piece of fruit pulp with 1 tbsp. l. cream cheese and 1 tsp. pumpkin oil. The product is kept on the face for 15 minutes and removed with a cotton pad dipped in milk.

Melon for hair

To soften and moisturize your hair, you need to mix several pieces of melon, 100 g of cognac and 150 g of strong black coffee. The mask is applied to clean and slightly damp hair, rubbing it into the roots. You can wash off the product after 40 minutes.

To strengthen hair, you can make a mask based on melon juice, oil and sour cream. Half a glass of juice is mixed with 1 tbsp. l. olive oil and 1 tbsp. l. sour cream. The product is applied to the hair and left for 40 minutes.

How to eat melon

The fruit can be divided in half and cut into long slices, after removing the seeds. In this case, it is eaten in the same way as watermelon. Melon, cut into pieces with the rind, can be eaten with a spoon. The chunks, which are served without crust, are eaten with a fork and knife.

The use of melon in cooking

Most often, the product is eaten fresh, as an independent dish. In addition, you can make jam, jam, jam from the melon. Compote is also cooked from the pulp of the fruit, and candied fruits are prepared from the peel. Melon marmalade is also delicious.

The product is not recommended to be eaten on an empty stomach, but it is undesirable to consume the treat immediately after a meal. It is better to eat the fruit a couple of hours after eating and some time before the next meal.

How to choose a melon

To choose a tasty and healthy fruit, it is important to consider the following recommendations:

1. The peel should be free of dents and stains.
2. The aroma of the ripe fruit is pleasant and sweet, does not smell like grass.
3. If possible, it is advisable to look at the color of the pulp - the richer it is, the more ripe and healthier the fruit.
4. A high-quality fruit makes a dull, dense sound if you lightly pat its surface.
5. The stalk and the place of its attachment must be dry.

The peel of the fruit on the back side of the stalk should be easy to press. This suggests that the melon is ripe on the melon, and has not been removed yet green. It is best to buy the product in August-September in trusted places.

Melon harm and contraindications

In addition to the benefits, the product can also harm the body:

1. A large amount of the product burdens the digestion, causing indigestion.
2. The fruit can cause fermentation, which leads to flatulence, bloating.
3. The product is contraindicated in patients with infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Excessive consumption of the fetus can cause hypervitaminosis, which harms the intestines and heart.

In general, this tasty fruit is more useful than harmful. The main thing is to observe the measure and take into account possible contraindications.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of melon largely depend on the state of health and the method of consumption. If you eat it in small quantities as an independent meal, then the benefits for the body will be obvious. The medicinal properties of melon make it possible to use it in folk medicine, and its pleasant taste and aroma make the delicacy especially popular in summer.