Cantaloupes aren’t a fruit typically associated with health, which is a shame. These sweet, succulent melons are absolutely loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, yet contain very few calories. A generous helping of cantaloupes a day is enough to fill the body with vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and much more.
Cantaloupes can lead to a healthier, happier you, and here’s how:
By Frances Bloomfield, Natural News
Cantaloupes can lead to a healthier, happier you, and here’s how:
- Anti-coagulant – Cantaloupes contain adenosine, a chemical compound that acts as a blood thinner and diminishes the risk of abnormal blood clot formations.
- Arteriosclerosis – The great amounts of vitamin C in cantaloupes make them one of the sources of this precious vitamin. Vitamin C is typically used in the same sentence as “colds” or “flu”, but did you know that it can help the heart too? Vitamin C relaxes the blood vessels and prevents arteriosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries.
- Cancer – Vitamin C, along with vitamin A, are vitamins with antioxidant properties. Together, they cleanse the body of free radicals, which damage the cells and promote the growth of cancer.
- Cataracts – Vitamin A also maintains good eyesight and lessens the chances of developing cataracts.
- Cholesterol – More than just eliminating free radicals, cantaloupe antioxidants combat the oxidative stress that cause low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to shoot up.
- Healthy skin –Cantaloupe are an excellent food for beautiful, glowing skin: vitamin C encourages collagen formation, vitamin A promotes skin regeneration, and the high water content hydrates the skin.
- High-blood pressure – Another nutrient that these melons have in abundance is potassium, the mineral that counteracts sodium and stabilizes blood pressure.
- Immune system – Cantaloupes are efficient in strengthening the immune system, owing to their wealth of vitamin C.
- Insomnia – If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, go ahead and munch on some cantaloupe. It’s an excellent source of inositol, a B-vitamin that can induce sleep like sleep medication, but without any of the side effects.
- Menstruation issues – Women who suffer from menstrual cramps and other related problems may find relief in cantaloupes. Not only do they reduce the flow of blood, but they minimize clotting as well.
- Metabolic syndrome – This is the collective term for the conditions that can increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes, namely high-blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. These can all be mitigated and controlled by frequently consuming the nourishing fruit that is the cantaloupe.
- Muscle cramps – Without potassium, you become more prone to muscular cramps and injury. Fortunately, cantaloupes are full of this essential nutrient.
- Nicotine withdrawal – Cantaloupes are packed with nutrients that can help smokers deal with their nicotine withdrawal symptoms in a more efficient manner. One other benefit ex-smokers can get from cantaloupes is their ability to replenish vitamin A lost from constant smoking.
- Pregnancy – The vitamin B9, or folic acid, in cantaloupes ensure that babies aren’t born with neural tube defects.
- Stress – Potassium aids the body in more ways than one: It boosts the supply of oxygen to the brain and normalizes heartbeat. These in turn can help you feel more relaxed.
- Water retention – Sodium causes you to retain water, but cantaloupes greatly diminish its effects. If you want to lose a bit of weight, you can’t go wrong with adding cantaloupes to your diet.