The health benefits of the Melon

The melon is the fruit of a plant (Cucumis melo L.), the Cucurbitaceae family that also includes the watermelon, and vegetables such as cucumber and squash.

It is cultivated in warm climates and countries in temperate and require lots of sun and heat and, like watermelon, a fruit is large, oval or spherical.

Your skin or bark, which ranges from yellow to dark green, ridged or reticulated usually appears, and is home to a pulp inside a yellow, juicy and sweet, with fruit seeds that are coated with a gelatinous mass viscous to be easily removed.

It is not known with certainty what their origin, while some researchers place it in South Africa, others fall in Central Asia. What it is well documented is the great development experienced its growing and always had acceptance among Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also knew and praised the virtues of this refreshing fruit.

In Spain seems to have arrived later by the Arabs, expanding into the rest of Europe and America.

Currently, the main producing countries are China, Turkey, India, Spain, United States, Japan, Italy and France and its consumption has spread throughout the world.

In the month of April and first appear melons, but the best quality are found in the markets in July and September. Today, thanks to the many varieties available and getting better conservation, it is possible to find almost throughout the year.

There are over one hundred different varieties of melon according to their origin, form, size, color, flavor and texture.

The melon is notable for its high water content (90-95% by weight) and low calorie content (26 kcal/100 g in the case of cantaloupe).

Contains moderate amounts of carbohydrates (6%) rapid absorption (glucose, fructose and sucrose). Just contains fat and protein content is not significant, hence the low heat energy.

Its fiber content is moderate, so it is advisable for people who suffer from constipation.

Also stands out for its high content of beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, antioxidant action, head turn, the orange color of the flesh of some varieties. The orange-fleshed melons, cantaloupes and have a higher percentage of beta-carotene. The body can convert beta carotene into vitamin A as it is needed. Vitamin A is essential, among other things, the vision and good skin, hair and mucous membranes.

It also contains vitamin C, antioxidant action and equally important for proper immune system function, folic acid, necessary for pregnant women, and B vitamins (pantothenic acid).

As for their mineral content, highlighting the presence of potassium, magnesium, calcium and to a lesser extent, iron, phosphorus and sodium.

The high water content of the fruit as well as its low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, makes the melon is a highly recommended food in dieting and in cases of hypertension, being very diuretic . However, it can sometimes be indigestible and cause gastric discomfort.

To prevent discomfort is preferable to take the melon a little before lunch or eat alone, as this is digested perfectly. It is also recommended to eat during the day and avoid it at night.

When buying, it is best to take them to the weight. The fruit should give the impression of being solid and not hollow. It takes hands firmly and check the ends, which must be soft. This means it is fully ripe.

You should choose those melons that are hard and have no marks or scars own some type of damage or mishandling.

After the purchase should be kept in a cool, well ventilated.

The ripe melon is to be consumed as soon as possible as it deteriorates easily. Once opened, you have to keep in the fridge, wrapped in a transparent film, so that their strong scent not be masked by the flavors of other foods, absorbing all odors easily.