If cantaloupe isn’t on your summer radar, you’ll want to change that, stat.
The warm-weather fruit is brimming with essential nutrients, from disease-fighting antioxidants to constipation-busting fiber.
What Is Cantaloupe?
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Cantaloupe Nutrition Facts
Cantaloupe’s nutrition is just as sweet as the fruit tastes, trust.
The summer produce is packed with vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, according to a2019 study.
Read on to learn more.
Vitamin C even helps the body regenerate vitamin E,anotherantioxidant, according to an article inNutrients.
(The more the merrier, y’all.)
And while it’s undeniably a powerhouse, vitamin C isn’t the only antioxidant in cantaloupe.
Together with vitamin C, beta-carotene makes cantaloupe an A+ source of disease-fighting antioxidants.
(BTW, beta-carotene is also responsible for cantaloupe’s summery hue.
It’s also “important for neutrophil function,” according to a2019 article.
(Lymphocytesare in charge of fighting toxins, viruses, bacteria, and cancerous cells.)
Andresearchsuggests that vitamin A supports the production and growth of immune cells, including the aforementioned lymphocytes.
(
Promotes Healthy Digestion
“Cantaloupe has both soluble and insoluble fiber,” says Lloyd.
“Both fibers are great for keeping your digestive tract healthy.”
For starters, soluble fiber is, as you probably guessed it, soluble.
On the flip side, insoluble fiber doesn’t combine with water.
fruit), avoid eating too much cantaloupe at once.
It’s essential to add fiber from any food to your diet gradually, says Lloyd.
As for vitamin C?
After all, “we need water for basically everything our bodies do,” says Lloyd.
11.5 cups for women, according to theMayo Clinic).
Potential Risks of Cantaloupe
Although cantaloupe is a nutritional all-star, it’s not for everyone.
“Particularly, folks with grass or ragweed allergies may have a reaction to cantaloupe and other melons.”
Visit anallergist, who can use various tests to confirm if you have any allergies.
If you have a history of kidney disease, you might want to avoid high-potassium foods such as cantaloupe.
As for how to pick a cantaloupe?
If the melon is overripe, you will see a softening of the entire rind and soft watery flesh.
Cut cantaloupe lasts for approximately five days in the refrigerator, according toPurdue University.
As a grilled side dish.The mild sweetness of cantaloupe is the perfect canvas for a smoky grilled side.
Try a honey-lime grilled cantaloupe or grilled melon salad with mint.
With yogurt.Sweeten up your nextyogurt bowlwith cantaloupe cubes, nuts, and seeds, suggests Ivanir.
Not in the mood for yogurt?
Try cubed cantaloupe with your fave cereal orovernight oatsrecipe.
Pour the mixture into an ice pop mold i.e.
Aoluvy Silicone Popsicle Molds and leave it in the freezer until frozen.
Hello, DIY dessert!
(Morehealthy popsicle recipesright here.)
In a fruit salad.Add cubes of cantaloupe to a fruit salad, recommends Iu.
