Cantaloupe: what is this fruit and why is it useful

Cantaloupe is a variety of melon, which every year is gaining popularity among gardeners for its unpretentiousness. The fruit has a pleasant taste, a light aroma and contains a large number of useful trace elements.

What is this fruit

Cantaloupe is the exotic name of a variety of melon, which has an amazing taste. Today it is grown in many parts of the world. It has gained popularity in agriculture due to its unpretentiousness and easy care.

The cantaloupe makes a great addition to the holiday table. It is used to make jams, jams and desserts, candied fruits and dried fruits. Due to its composition, it has a positive effect on the body, helping to increase immunity.

What does it look like

The melon grows on a large bush with powerful long twigs and dark green leaves. Its roots are superficial and do not sprout deeply. At first, the sprouts resemble clover in appearance. As they develop, they become modified and grow to a larger size. The flowers are light yellow in color and open at the end of June.

The cantaloupe, like many varieties of melon, has round-shaped fruits. They are covered with a thick rind, on the surface of which you can notice small hairs. The weight of each fruit can vary from 500g to 4.5kg.

This variety of melon is known for its distinctive flavor. It is because of this flavor that it is called the Muscat melon.

Ripening of fruits depends on a region of growth. But more often, the ripe melon does not become ripe until August. By September, it gains sweetness and juiciness.

Where to grow

As early as 2000 years ago, the cantaloupe was grown by farmers in what is now Armenia. Then Catholic monks brought the seeds of the fruit to Europe. The variety was named after the estate of Cantalupia. It belonged to the pope. It was there that the fruit was cultivated.

Today, this variety of melon is grown in almost all countries. But it is particularly popular in Thailand. Although cantaloupe is a southern variety, it also adapts well to the humid, cool climate of the European part of Russia.

What is the cantaloupe melon good for?

In its composition cantaloupe has many useful substances. These vitamins, minerals and other trace elements. They are practically not lost, even after heat treatment. In Thailand, dried cantaloupe is popular.

Due to the presence of a large number of trace elements, melon has a positive effect on the human body. The beneficial properties of cantaloupe include:

1. Normalizing the production of sebum.
2. Maintaining the process of collagen production.
3. Improving the condition of the skin and hair.
4. Maintaining water-electrolyte balance.
5. Slowing down the processes associated with age-related changes.
6. Improved quality of vision due to the presence of vitamin A.
7. Protection against the effects of ultraviolet rays.
8. Reducing the risk of retinal degeneration.
9. Normalization of blood pressure values as a result of the impact of micronutrients on the vascular walls.
10. Prevention of the loss of muscle mass during the diet for weight loss.
11. Reducing the likelihood of bronchial asthma.
12. Prevention of stroke and heart attack, which is achieved by having enough magnesium in the melon.
13. Prevention of the development of cancer. This is achieved through the fruit's property of eliminating radionuclides and free radicals.
14. Removal of cholesterol. The substance has the ability to deposit on the walls of blood vessels and disrupt blood circulation.
15. Prevention of dehydration, which is important for people living in hot regions.
16. Acceleration of peristalsis.

Among other things, cantaloupe prevents the accumulation of toxins, toxins in the body, solid formations in the kidneys, salts in the joints. A glass of melon pulp contains the daily norm of vitamin C, which has a positive effect on the immune system. Due to its composition, the fruit helps to support the body's defenses during the season of colds, flu and a number of diseases.

What can bring harm

Despite its benefits and many useful properties, cantaloupe can also cause harm to the body.

1. The product should not be introduced into the diet if there is an individual intolerance.
2. Overconsumption of cantaloupe may result in allergic reactions and digestive disorders. Often note the appearance of diarrhea.
3. Also, you should not consume the nutmeg melon together with honey. Such a combination provokes intestinal obstruction. It is especially dangerous for young children.
4. Dysbacteriosis and prolonged diarrhea occur when eating the product with milk. You should not eat melon on an empty stomach, since it causes increased gassiness.
5. It is also not recommended to combine the product and alcohol. This is due to the fact that their interaction leads to liver cramps, the consequences of which are impossible to predict. At the same time, there are often signs of poisoning. These include nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness.

You should not consume nutmeg melon in the presence of the following diseases:

1. Diabetes mellitus. The product contains a large amount of sugar.
2. Kidney stones. Melon provokes their movement, which is accompanied by severe pain.
3. Pancreatitis of a chronic form or proceeding in the acute stage. The enzymes contained in the product increase the load on the affected organ.

It is also not recommended to eat melon for people prone to diarrhea. When breastfeeding, the product should be discarded so that the baby does not develop an allergy.

Negative effects will not occur if you consume cantaloupe in small portions.

How to eat cantaloupe correctly

The nutmeg melon is consumed most often in its fresh form. It has a pleasant aroma and a special taste. But it is important to wash the product thoroughly before consumption. This is due to the fact that salmonella is present on the surface of the rind.

Once in the body, the parasite begins to actively develop and affect internal organs. The disease that occurs when the infection occurs is called salmonellosis. It is quite dangerous for both children and adults. If not treated in time, it can be fatal.

Cantaloupe is also eaten dried or cured. It is also used to make candied fruits, which can be a great addition to baked goods, tea or coffee.

What can be made out of cantaloupe

Nutmeg melon is most often eaten fresh. But this is usually done by those who grow it, which is due to the short shelf life of the product.

Melon is used to make jam. It has a pleasant light aroma and amazing taste. Candied fruits are also popular. But the process of preparing them is labor-intensive, which is due to the peculiarities of the product.

Traditional medicinal uses

Muscat melon contains in its composition a lot of useful substances. That is why, when properly consumed, it brings benefits and can be used for certain diseases. Experts recommend eating it fresh in small portions in the presence of the following pathologies:

Bronchial asthma.

The composition of cantaloupe contains beta-carotene. This substance helps to reduce the risk of developing the disease. In addition, the product contains a large amount of vitamin C, which also has a positive effect on the immune system.

Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure is observed more often in older people. It is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms in the form of weakness and headache. Consumption of cantaloupe helps to maintain the health of the heart muscle, reduce BP due to the content of potassium, dietary fiber, B vitamins. Thus, eating melon and other foods with potassium helps reduce the risk of stroke, kidney stones.

Oncology

According to experts, the melon helps to reduce the risk of cancer. This is due to the presence of beta-carotene and other substances in its composition. According to studies, it has been found that regular consumption of cantaloupe helps to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Digestive Disorders

Nutmeg melon contains a sufficient amount of water, which is also necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In addition, the product also contains dietary fiber. They have a positive effect on the organs of the digestive system and support their work. The melon is especially good for people who eat fast food and fast food.

Dehydration

Lack of water in the body is manifested in the form of dry mucous membranes, skin, weakness. Cantaloupe is rich in water and is used by residents of hot countries to combat thirst in the summer.

Inflammation

Muscat melon perfectly copes with the inflammatory process that affects various tissues of the body. This property is due to the presence of choline. The substance is necessary to maintain the structure of cell membranes, which helps to eliminate inflammation. Choline also contributes to the absorption of fatty acids, takes part in the process of contraction of muscle tissue, helps to organize the work of the brain, improve sleep.

Thus, the use of Muscat melon in folk medicine is due to its composition. Due to the content of useful substances, it helps to fight some diseases. To do this, you should include cantaloupe in your diet in small portions.

Cosmetic uses

Nutmeg melon is also useful for the hair and skin. This is due to the presence of vitamin A in its composition. It is he who has a positive effect on their condition.

Also vitamin C is necessary for the construction of collagen fibers. Thus, cantaloupe is recommended for women to include in their diet to maintain natural beauty.

How to grow

Muscat melon likes sunny areas with neutral soil. In spring, seedlings are planted in the open ground after the threat of night frosts disappears. After planting in the open ground it is covered with a film at night or in cool weather during the day.

Care for cantaloupe involves regular loosening of the soil and weeding. The plant is also watered regularly, especially in dry weather. The water for watering should be warm.

Nitrogen fertilizer is applied before the bush blooms. Mineral complex is used after the ovaries are already formed.

After the 5th-7th leaf is formed, the long loops are pruned. It is important to leave only no more than four lateral shoots.

Interesting facts about cantaloupe

1. The cantaloupe was first mentioned in drawings found in the annals of the people of India. They date back to 2000 BC.
2. The product received its name thanks to the Roman Pope. The Crusaders brought him a delicious dessert, the taste of which was much appreciated. The Pope then ordered the seeds of the fruit to be brought and cultivated at the Cantalupia estate, where the variety was ennobled.
3. In the still lifes of Dutch artists, you can almost always see the cut muscat melon.
4. The cantaloupe is also valued in America for its aroma. It is the reason why perfumers add the essential oil of the fruit to creams and perfumes.

Muscat melon is a popular product in hot countries. It was also widespread in tsarist Russia. Today it is practically not grown in our country. But experts can not find reasons for this, because the culture is quite unpretentious. The variety is widespread in Uzbekistan.

Cantaloupe refers to a variety of melons. It has many properties and contains a lot of useful substances. That is why it is recommended for use in the presence of certain diseases. But you should eat it only in limited quantities, since if you abuse it, certain consequences may arise.

Photo of a cantaloupe