Muskmelon Benefits and Side Effects

The summer season is here, and with it comes many tiresome days and feeling the heat and humidity swallow you whole. The urge to have something chilling and cooling for the body can be very overwhelming at times. But, if you are conscious about your health and want something that is both healthy and tasty to eat that also cools you off, look no further than the Muskmelon.

Popularly known as Kharbuja, the Muskmelon has been cited as one of the best fruits to have under the intense summer heat. Many people feel right at home with its amazing texture, sweet taste and even naturally rich aroma and have been a staple across multiple generations throughout multiple households. The Muskmelon is not just a fruit that caters to the satisfaction of people. It has a plethora of health benefits that can significantly enhance your body’s health.

 

What is a Muskmelon?

 

This fruit is part of the gourd family and is mainly grown in very hot areas that are spread throughout the world. It is also very commonly found in India during its summer months being April to July. This fruit is eaten as soon as it is bought fresh, it can also been had through juice, salads, and even desserts or smoothies. Its versatility knows no bounds.

The Muskmelon actually comes in several different varieties, of which the most popular ones are the cantaloupe, honey dew as well as other specific hybrids. The one most commonly found in India has a very bright and sweet pulpy flavored interior with an almost netted orange and yellow colored exterior that turns a lot heads its way due to how it looks as well as its aesthetic.

 

What is the nutritional value of the Muskmelon?

 

100 grams of Muskmelon would give the human body 34 kilocalories of energy. The total amount of carbohydrates present in the Muskmelon would be roughly 8.2 grams while the total amount of sugar present would be 7.9 grams on average. It also contains a small bit of protein (0.8 grams), fat (0.2 grams), and Dietary Fiber (0.9 grams) along with an even tinier amount of Vitamin C (36 micrograms), Vitamin-A (Beta-Carotene) has 3382 IU, Potassium has a total of 267 micrograms, Magnesium has 12 micrograms, and it is composed on 90% water. The Muskmelon is truly on a level of its own when it comes to both hydration as well as nutrition.

 

What are some benefits that the Muskmelon can provide?

 

It always provides hydration

Since the Muskmelon has been confirmed to have 90% of its content being water, it is one of the most ideal fruits to have during the summer heat waves that occur, which help immensely to prevent dehydration during the extreme conditions that may occur during the hot and humid weather. The proper consumption of the Muskmelon can also lead to the restoration of lost electrolytes that are in the body.

Immunity Booster

The large amounts of Vitamin C as well as the antioxidants present within the fruit has led to the enhancement of the body’s immune system, which in turn allows for greater defense against viral and bacterial infections and can even protect individual cells from immense oxidative damage.

Helps Improve Digestion

Muskmelon also has more than enough dietary fiber present within its system to comfortably aid in the body’s digestive system. It has also been responsible for helping complete proper bowel movement and simultaneously preventing any form of constipation in the digestive tract. Due to how cool it can be, it also has the ability to lower the body’s internal temperature temporarily.

Great for the skin

With the plentiful amounts of Vitamin A, C, and anti-oxidants that can support the smoothness of skin as well as ensuring it retains the youthfulness and even allows it to glow a bit. There have also been confirmed studies that state Muskmelon can provide an acne-free face as well as potentially delaying certain signs of an aging body.

Responsible for Weight loss

The caloric content of a Muskmelon is significantly lower than most other fruits, but it has plenty of fiber and water content that is required for getting the best start for losing weight. The Muskmelon is the perfect snack for individuals who want to efficiently lose as much weight as possible. It also is able to fill your stomach up after 1 serving, due to the amounts of fiber present in the fruit.

Helps Regulate blood pressure

Being rich in potassium, Muskmelon is responsible for properly regulating and maintaining the blood pressure normally around the body. Potassium can solely be responsible for evening out the effects of sodium present in the blood and enabling relaxation of the blood vessels.

Good for the eyes

The decent amount of Beta-Carotene that is present in the Vitamin-A of Muskmelons is capable of maintaining perfect eyesight. This in turn can help prevent permanent night-blindness and plays an important part against macular degeneration that is related to aging.

 

What are the side-effects and precautions of Muskmelon?

 

Although there are plenty of benefits that rightfully place Muskmelon as a top priority for a healthy summer day, it still has its own ill-effects and disadvantages that can affect the way the fruit helps the body if consumed at a very high rate frequently.

Causes Cough and Cold if consumed during the night

One of the main reasons why the Muskmelon has been a very popular fruit during the summer is because of its famous cooling effect it has over the body. However, if it is consumed during the night, when the atmosphere is already cool, this would cause the body itself to catch a cold and can also cause quite an inconvenience to individuals who are suffering from some type of respiratory issues. The best time to consume the fruit would be during daytime.

High amount of sugar

Individuals who are diabetics are required to stay away from Muskmelon due to the amount of sugary content present within the fruit, even though it is all natural. Individuals who are diabetic but are at a very low level should try and portion the amount of Muskmelon piece just enough to ensure there is no sugar spike detected from the patients.

It may trigger Allergic Reactions

There are plenty of individuals who are allergic to Muskmelon. The symptoms for anyone who might be allergic to the fruit may experience a bit of allergic reactions such as persistent itching from the mouth, irritation within the throat or potentially even hives.

It is not advisable after meals

Consumption of Muskmelon directly after having any meal is not medically advised by many doctors. This is mainly because it can slow down the digestion process due to the large amount of water content present within it as well as the cooling effect that arrives afterwards. Take at most a 30-40 minute break before you attempt to consume a Muskmelon.

 

Who should eat and avoid a Muskmelon?

 

Recommended For

• People who constantly suffer from dehydration and heatstroke.
• Individuals who are on a very strict weight loss diet.
• People who are suffering from constant amounts of constipation.
• Pregnant women for a moderate period of time.
• Children especially, as it is a popular snack choice for them.

Take Caution

• Patients who are suffering from Diabetes and Diabetic conditions should be wary.
• People who currently have a cold, suffering from cough or even the more severe sinusitis.
• People who have tendency of getting allergies.
• Individuals who have very weak stomachs as well as digestive issues.

FAQs

 

Can we eat Muskmelon daily?

By keeping a good eye on the amount of Muskmelon that you consume, you can have the fruit on a daily basis only if it is between 100 grams to at most 150 grams.

Is Muskmelon good for Diabetics?

Under strict guidance and carefully cut portions, diabetics can have the fruit. They must not have any juices related to the fruit and consume the fruit itself that can slow down the absorption of sugar in the body due to the fiber content in the fruit.

Can the Muskmelon be eaten in an empty stomach?

The fruit itself is very light and can fully hydrate the entire body instantly and is considered to be a great kick for waking up in the morning.

Can Pregnant Women have Muskmelon?

Muskmelon is able to provide a pregnant woman’s body all the necessary amounts of hydration, vitamins, minerals and foliate for her body. However, before it is given to the pregnant woman, always ensure that it is cleansed and eaten in specific times.

 

Conclusion

Kharbuja has always been one of the most delicious fruits money can buy. It is practically an all-rounder in terms of giving the body the essential nutrients it requires to both grow and develop, while also improving many bodily functions. The fruit has the capability to improve the skin, help the body lose weight, detoxify the body of any ailments and also provide a cooling shell that protects the body from the extreme conditions.

 

Medical Disclaimer - The information that has been written is only to be used for educational purposes. There has been no information presented by this website, be it text, images and graphics that should be taken as professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor regarding any medical advice that may relate to your condition.