Properties of melon. Benefits and harm to the body

One of the most popular seasonal melons is melon. Juicy, sweet and fragrant - it has acquired many admirers. But to choose a really sweet fruit is not easy. Melon, the caloric content and benefits of which will be discussed below, is a seasonal product. It is better to use it in the midst of harvesting. At this point, it reaches its maximum maturity, and less likely to buy a poor-quality fruit. Many unscrupulous melon growers in pursuit of high profits feed the crop with nitrates for rapid maturation. Such a melon - the fruit is very suspicious and useless.

Melon as a plant

What is this plant and its fruits? Melon is considered a family of cucurbits. By many signs, one can guess that the cucumber is its closest relative. One bush can give about 6-8 fruits, the weight of which ranges from 200 grams to 20 kilograms. But reaches full maturity melon only after 6 months.

A well-ripened fruit has a beautiful appearance and a delightful fragrance. The color of the melon can be yellow, brown and even green, depending on the variety. Modern breeding is constantly evolving, offering new varieties, differing in taste, size and color. There are white and striped fruits. The taste qualities of melons of different varieties are also not the same. But ideally, every product should be sweet and fragrant.

A fruit or a berry?

Melon, the benefit and harm to the organism of which will be discussed below, is sweet to the taste. That's why many refer it to fruits. It is used in the preparation of desserts and salads. At the same time, some people think that the melon is a berry. And it is this that connects it with another popular melon planting - watermelon. Yes, they are similar in internal structure. But the Asian beauty is growing on lashes, like some vegetables. Therefore botanists refer them to different groups. In addition, melon has much in common with vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini and pumpkin. And although it is sweet, it is attributed to this group, calling it a sugar vegetable. In Asian countries, even grown unsweetened varieties. They are eaten as vegetables.

Composition of melon

Melon contains a large amount of vitamin C. It occupies the first place among melons and gourds. Also in its fruits, you can find a large amount of vitamin A, B and E. Sufficient in melons and silicon, necessary for better digestion of minerals and prevention of vascular calcification. The fruits of this plant contain iron 17 times more than in milk. And if you eat watermelon and melon alternately, then the positive effect will be much higher. After all, these cultures perfectly complement each other. Even nutritionists recommend the use of melon, the benefits and harm to the organism which has long been studied. The product cleanses internal organs and systems, enriches them with nutrients.

Melon is a natural remedy

With what diseases helps to fight melon? For a unique chemical composition, this fruit was deservedly called a natural medicine. It can be eaten by both adults and children. Melon should be in the diet of those who suffer from heart disease, gout, has problems with the intestines, kidneys and liver. The use of sweet fruits helps fight depression. A large amount of vitamin C improves immunity and increases the body's resistance to catarrhal diseases.

The quality of the melon fruit, the benefit and harm to the organism of which is carefully studied not only by nutritionists, is also used in cosmetology. They contain a lot of silicon, B group vitamins and folic acid. These components significantly improve the structure and quality of hair and skin. Therefore, masks from melon for the face, hair and whole body are recommended by beauticians.

Contraindications

Does the melon have contraindications? Like any culture, the fruits of this plant have their drawbacks. They are insignificant, but you need to know them. The benefits and harms of melons for the human body are especially pronounced when it is used excessively. The fruits are very sweet and fragrant. And to keep from temptation is very difficult. However, it should be remembered that they contain many useful substances. Therefore, the use of a large amount of melon can lead to hypervitaminosis.

Also, there may be problems with digestion, violation of cardiac activity. Therefore, from the use of this culture should abstain from those who have diseases of the intestines, duodenal ulcers, diabetes mellitus. In addition, these fruits are not recommended for women who feed infants with breast milk. Melon juice can provoke stomach upset in the baby.

Caloric value

Is a melon suitable for losing weight? It should be noted: despite its taste, the fruits of this plant do not have a high calorie content. They are ideal for dietary meals. What is in the melon? 90 percent of this sweet vegetable consists of water. And only the remaining 10% is useful fiber and sugar. Therefore, the calorie content of a ripe melon is not more than 38 kcal per 100 g of product. Much more nutritious dried lobules of these fruits and cooked from them candied fruits. In this case, the indicator fluctuates within 350 kcal.

Nutrient composition in grams

If you take the amount of nutrients in grams, then these indicators will please fans of delicacies. The main thing is, of course, low calorie content. In addition, the melon contains about 1% of fats and proteins. The amount of carbohydrates is 7.5 percent. Important elements in the melon are organic acids, starch and fiber. The latter helps to cleanse the body and improve the digestive system.

Ascorbic acid is predominant in the amount of 20 mg per 100 grams of product. Vitamins of group B occupy 6 mg, and provitamins and folic acid by 0.4 grams per 100 grams. Elements such as calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, phosphorus, iodine and magnesium are present in the melon in a natural form, which is best absorbed in the body.

How to use?

How to eat melon to get maximum benefit and pleasure? It is better to eat ripe fruits of this plant between meals. Do not eat melon on an empty stomach, especially those who have digestive problems. The flesh can be frozen and then used to prepare various dishes and cocktails.

From fruits of a melon do candied fruits which turn out very tasty and do not lose thus useful properties. Also jams, jams and jam are prepared from it. There are recipes and a pickled sweet vegetable, which has a very unusual taste. Enjoy the vitamins in summer and harvested them for future use to keep a piece of heat for the coldest times.

Marinated melon

The taste qualities of melon, the benefits and harm to the organism of which have been examined, make it possible to prepare from it a lot of original, delicious and fragrant dishes. For example, many will like a pickled melon. For cooking, you need a ripe fruit weighing about 500-700 grams. It must be cleaned of seeds and peel, cut into cubes. Then put the melon in the prepared cans.

Separately we prepare marinade. For 200 milliliters of water, you take 30 grams of honey, 200 g of vinegar, 10 grams of salt and two cloves. Fill the cold marinade with a can of melon, sterilize for about 40 minutes. Then we close it and send it to a cold place. Prepared in this way melon is perfectly combined with meat dishes.

Jam from melon

Almost all the melon treats are not high-calorie. The only exception is candied fruit. Jam from the fruits of this plant is one of the best options for sweets. To make it, you need to take 500 grams of sliced fruit, the same amount of sugar and a liter of water. To improve the taste, you can add a little lemon zest.

All put in a suitable container and bring the mixture to a boil. Do not let the boil be boiled for long and hard. Pieces of melon are digested, which will not affect the taste, but will spoil the appearance. It should be noted that the calorie content of such a delicacy is not high. It leaves only 170 kcal. That is why such culinary delights can be used even by those who care about their figure.

Combination with other products

There is a misconception that the melon is perfectly combined with any products. This is not entirely true. Yes, melon is a universal sweet vegetable, which is friendly with many products. Americans start a meal with a glass of water and a slice of this sweet treat. Italians serve melon to meat in the form of a side dish. In the East, it is considered a good addition to the fish.

In cooking, there are many recipes using melons, both as the main and additional ingredient. But nevertheless nutritionists do not advise to use it on an empty stomach and along with sour-milk products. It can cause upset stomach, colic and bloating. Especially not to combine dishes, where there is a lot of milk and eggs. In general, the use of any product should be moderate. In this case, the food does not harm, but will benefit the body.

Interesting Facts

Many myths and prejudices are associated with this plant. Many of them concern the use of melon. Benefits and harm to the body have long been studied by specialists, so there are qualified answers to all questions. Many indicators of this sweet vegetables we have already considered. But there are a lot of interesting facts that seem very entertaining.

For example, a very large melon, which weighed about 500 kilograms, was raised by an Austrian. It happened in 2009. Since then, the record has never been broken. In some eastern peoples, melon fruits are considered a natural aphrodisiac. Men will be useful everyday to eat a handful of dried seeds of this fragrant plant. Even the Day of the Melon is celebrated in Turkmenistan. In all churches at this moment, a moleben is held about a good harvest. Melon is appreciated not only for its excellent taste, but also for its nutritional composition. Therefore, eat on health, but in everything know the measure.