Honeymelon is also known as honeydew that is a member of muskmelon family or Cucumis melo, which also includes the casaba, Crenshaw, and cucumber.
It is the kind of fruit that has circular to slightly rectangle shape and is typically about 15 – 22cm in the diameter.
The flesh inside of the fruit is pale green to yellow, while smooth peel is green to yellow in appearance. Like most fruits, honeydew contains the seeds.
Its ripe flesh and juice have the sweet and flavorful taste, which are perfect to be eaten on its own, juiced or added into the salads, make sorbet, and other desserts.
Honeymelon is the summer fruit and must not be mistaken with the wintermelon as is known in some countries. It is a refreshing treat in summer due to its natural cooling effect on the palate.
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NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Besides being the great treat in hot summer days, the honeymelon is also a perfect choice for improving your health. It is highly dense in the nutrients that can help to fight and prevent many diseases.
This melon is an excellent source of vitamin C for skin and B vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper and folate.
Honeymelon is very low in the calories and contains a small amount of natural sodium which makes the melon tastes rather unique with its sweet and salty flavor.
HEALTH BENEFITS
With all essential nutrients that this fruit contains, it is certainly a great pick whenever you are craving for something sweet. Among its many health benefits:
Cholesterol:
This fruit contains the high amount of soluble fiber that helps to reduce the level of cholesterol in the body.
Bone and Teeth Strength:
Honeydew is rich in the calcium, which is beneficial for bone and teeth strength and development.
Hydration:
Honeydew contains a substantial amount of useful minerals, such as potassium, that helps in sustaining water level in the body. It is made up of approximately 90% water, therefore, is good source for quenching thirst and hydration at the cellular level.
Digestion Aid:
Its insoluble fiber is essential for digestion. Eating honeymelon or drinking of its juices helps to relieve constipation and other digestive issues.
Hypertension:
Honeydew is great for individuals suffering from hypertension as this fruit is rich in the potassium, an essential mineral that counteracts blood-elevation effects of table salt.
Immunity:
Studies show that the single serving of honeymelon contains 34 % of daily needed dosage of vitamin C that is essential for building the immunity system.
Pregnancy:
Pregnant women need more nutrients intake during pregnancy for fetus growth. The important nutrients that pregnant women need are found in the honeydew melons; therefore, it is convenient for mothers-to-be to add this fruit to their diet.
Skin Health:
Besides strengthening the body’s immune system, vitamin C content of honeymelon also helps in improving levels of collagen in the body. Collagen is the kind of protein that plays a vital role in strengthening the blood vessels and skin tissues. Lack of collagen can cause wrinkles and sagging skin.
Vision Health:
Honeydew is packed with the lutein and zeaxanthin, 2 very important phytonutrients for eye health. Having enough amount of this compound will help to reduce the risk for cataracts and other eye conditions.
Water Retention:
Like watermelon, the superb hydration quality of honeymelon makes juice an important help for reducing the water retention and edema.
Weight Loss:
Individuals who want to lose weight will find honeymelon juice a great help. Its high water content makes it excellent as the diuretic drink that helps to cleanse the kidneys and move bowels for a healthy colon which helps weight loss.