What Is Cantaloupe Fruit
Cantaloupe is a summer fruit that is similar to watermelon and honeydew melon. Cucumbers, pumpkins, squashes, and gourds all belong to the same family of plants.
Cucumis melo reticulatus, a species of muskmelon, is the most common semi-sweet cantaloupe in the United States. The scientific name is derived in part from the word reticulated, which describes the rough, webbed outer skin of the cantaloupe.
What Is The Best Time To Eat Cantaloupe
Summer. Eating fruits and vegetables that are in season offer the best tasting and nutrient rich diet. Consuming whole foods at their peak is the optimum way to nourish your body and maintain a healthy way of eating. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a fresh, juicy cantaloupe from your garden or local farmers market.
Health Benefits Of Eating Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is one of the most popular fruits worldwide due to its sweet taste, juicy and firm texture, and high nutritional value of its orange flesh. They are part of the Cucurbitaceae family. The Cucumis melo var. reticulus variety can be found in the United States and some parts of Canada, while the Cucumis melo var. cantalupenis variety is most commonly found in Europe and Asia.
Due to the high nutritional value of cantaloupe, it provides an abundant source of many essential nutrients. While we know that cantaloupe provides many benefits for our heart, digestion, hydration, eyes, cognition, hair, and skin, is cantaloupe good for you and your health? Fortunately, many health benefits have been associated with the consumption of cantaloupes!
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Food Rules To Soothe Arthritis Pain
Unfortunately, theres no quick fix when it comes to reducing arthritis pain, but recent research suggests that following a healthy, plant-based diet and adding in certain foods could help. The goal of your diet should be to eat foods that have been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help manage symptoms like joint pain, swelling, and tenderness, says registered dietitian nutritionist Kim Larson, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.
Its also important to stay at a healthy weight in order to reduce stress on joints, says Larson, and every pound counts. Research has shown that for each pound of body weight lost, theres a 4-pound reduction in knee joint stress, so even modest weight loss can significantly lighten the load on your joints. Want to know exactly which foods should fill your plate? Read on to discover the six rules you should follow to help ease arthritis pain.
How Much Cantaloupe Should I Eat A Day
Most adults need to eat anywhere from one to two cups of fruit per day and cantaloupe is a stellar choice: not only is it chock full of water, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, says Amy Shapiro, RD, CDN, and founder of Real Nutrition, you dont even need to be wary of the sugar found in fresh fruit.
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Here Are Some Pointers On How To Prepare And Serve Cantaloupe:
- Cut it up or slice it up and consume it right away.
- Fresh cantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, and mango chunks make a tropical fruit salad.
- Cantaloupe should be finely sliced and added to lemonade, iced tea, or water.
- Combine papaya, mango, jalapeno, cantaloupe, red peppers, and chipotle peppers in fresh salsa.
- Combine cantaloupe, pineapple juice, frozen strawberries, and unsweetened Greek yogurt in a smoothie.
- Serve fruit kebabs with a yogurt dip made from cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and strawberries.
Cantaloupe Is Vegan Cantaloupe Benefits Include Not Killing Harming Or Using Animals
Is cantaloupe vegan?
Yes, cantaloupe is vegan. Cantaloupe is a fruit and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
Animals of factory farming are suffering. They live in horrific conditions that often include confinement, physical abuse and unnatural environmentsso much so that they need to receive antibiotics to keep from getting ill or spreading disease. Growth hormones allow all kinds of animals to become fatter faster and live short lives.
Because we cannot see for ourselves how these animals live and what they endure does not mean it isnt happening. The meat, poultry and dairy industries do everything they can to distance us from knowing how our food comes to be in order to keep us in the dark about what we support each time we buy animal derived products and byproducts.
Go vegan for animals!
Its the best way to help animals and its not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non Vegan Foods List
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Have A Glass Of Red Wine
Red wine, common in Mediterranean diets, has been shown to lower inflammation and cardiovascular risk when used in moderation, says Dr. Koval. A study published in 2014 in Nucleic Acids Research found resveratrol, a compound in red wine, stops the formation of inflammatory factors involved with cancer, cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, excessive drinking appears to increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, according to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers. The bottom line? Drink red wine in moderation, which means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. And check with your doctor to make sure alcohol doesnt interact with your arthritis medication.
What Is The Fastest Way To Reduce Joint Inflammation
Ginger has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen. Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains. Fruits, veggies and whole grains, as part of a healthy diet, fight inflammation naturally and can also help control your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight relieves stress on the joints.
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Cantaloupe Benefits For Skin
A cup of cantaloupe contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin A requirement. It also contains approximately 100 percent of your daily vitamin C need. Both of these nutrients are essential for good skin health. Vitamin A protects the skin from UV damage, while vitamin C aids in the creation of natural collagen.
How To Choose Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are available year-round, but this melon shines during the summer when its at its freshest and sweetest.
When choosing a ripe cantaloupe, look for one thats symmetrical and feels slightly heavy. The color should be a creamy, light yellow-orange with little to no green. Ripe cantaloupe should smell sweet and a little musky.
For the freshest taste, use cantaloupe within 3 days of purchase.
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Health Benefits Of Cantaloupe
- It has a low carbohydrate content. Cantaloupes contain 90% water. Itâs nearly like eating a watermelon. They have a low glycemic due to their high liquid content. That means your body will digest food slowly and your blood sugar will not rise. As a result, diabetics will find it to be an ideal choice.
- Cantaloupe keeps you hydrated. Electrolytes abound in cantaloupes. These minerals keep your body working properly by balancing body fluids. This will keep you hydrated and energized.
- It has the potential to aid in the treatment of ailments. Cantaloupes contain phytonutrients, which have anti-inflammatory benefits. Itâs an important part of a balanced diet.
Cantaloupe May Have Labor Issues And Human Rights Concerns
Is cantaloupe a product that has known labor issues?
At this time, there are no known specific reports of worker mistreatment regarding cantaloupe farming but that doesnt mean it isnt happening. Cantaloupe may or may not have labor issues.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Some known problems include workplace health and safety, child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve peoples lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
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Should Cantaloupe Be Refrigerated
If buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice. After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly. Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes. Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating.
What Fruits Are Bad For Arthritis
If youre an avid fruit lover who also suffers from arthritis, has the question of what fruits are bad for arthritis ever crossed your mind? If so, youre right in your cautious assumptions that some fruits you regularly eat might be aggravating your arthritis. Even though many fruits contain essential vitamins and minerals which help to fight inflammation, many others have been reported to aggravate the inflammatory symptoms of arthritis.
These fruits are found in the nightshade family and produce a natural chemical called Solanine. Solanine is used by plants as a defense system against fungus and other pests and therefore, triggers inflammation in some individuals with arthritis. Being aware of Solanine containing foods and how to substitute them will save you a lot of pain if they worsen your arthritis. Want to know more about the harmful effects some fruits may be having on your arthritis? If so, read on to understand how to identify these fruits and substitute them for safer alternatives.
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What Are The Benefits Of Cantaloupe Seeds
Like the fruit, muskmelon seeds are also full of nutritional benefits. All of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and unsaturated fats present in the fruit are present in the cantaloupe seeds, too.Lazos, Evangelos S. Nutritional, fatty acid, and oil characteristics of pumpkin and melon seeds. Journal of Food Science 51, no. 5 : 1382-1383. Apart from this, muskmelon seeds are a rich source of protein. For vegetarians and vegans who need to be extra careful about obtaining the required amount of protein from their diet, chewing on some muskmelon seeds might just be the answer to your problems.de Melo, Maria Ladjane S., Narendra Narain, and Pushkar S. Bora. Characterisation of some nutritional constituents of melon seeds. Food Chemistry 68, no. 4 : 411-414.
Are Cantaloupes Safe During Pregnancy
While cantaloupes provide all the health benefits to the fetus of a pregnant mother consuming the fruit, there is a risk of listeriosis infection, a foodborne bacterial infection, associated with cantaloupe consumption. Hence pregnant women may be advised to not eat cantaloupes during the course of the pregnancy.McCollum, Jeffrey T., Alicia B. Cronquist, Benjamin J. Silk, Kelly A. Jackson, Katherine A. Oconnor, Shaun Cosgrove, Joe P. Gossack et al. Multistate outbreak of listeriosis associated with cantaloupe. New England Journal of Medicine 369, no. 10 : 944-953.
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Possible Benefits Of Cantaloupe For Gout
Consuming fruit and vegetables of all varieties has been typically associated with a reduced risk of health conditions and abstaining to a better quality of life. Several studies have suggested that the consumption of fruits like cantaloupe can decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes and can help with weight loss. Weight maintenance is an important prevention method for gout as housing more fat in the body tends to put a strain on your kidneys and also stores uric acid in fat tissues. Additionally, by consuming cantaloupe, you can reduce your risk of other health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes whose medications can contribute to elevated uric acid levels.
Certain nutrients found in cantaloupe are also beneficial for your health and gout prevention and relief:
Blood Pressure: Cantaloupe is abundant in fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline, nutrients that support a healthy heart. Consuming a combination of these ingredients can help decrease blood pressure and can help with therapy of hypertension. Avoiding heart disease and hypertension is important for gout patients because the medications prescribed for these conditions can increase uric acid levels. Additionally, potassium that is consumed in regular and high amounts have been shown to reduce the risk of the formation of kidney stones.
Potential Concerns For Consuming Cantaloupe
A diet consisting of moderated amounts of cantaloupe is considered safe and healthy for disease prevention and obtaining good health. Eating a balanced and varied diet is more important than trying to incorporate individual foods is essential for good health.
When consuming cantaloupe, be sure to scrub the skin of the cantaloupe before cutting to decrease the risk of transferring bacteria like Salmonella to the melonââ¬â¢s flesh.
Consuming too much potassium is unsafe especially for those with kidney problems and it is recommended that you remain within the daily recommended amount to avoid complications. Additionally, consuming too much cantaloupe that is high in potassium could possible interact with Beta-blockers by increasing the medicationââ¬â¢s effects and therefore cantaloupe should be consumed in moderated amounts.
REFERENCES
Increasing Dietary Potassium – Find Out Why Most People Need to Consume More of This Mineral, Antinoro RD, JD, LDN, Linda, Today’s Dietitian, Vol. 14 No. 12 P. 50, Accessed February 13, 2014.
Basic Report: 09181, Melons, cantaloupe, raw, Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture, National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 26, Accessed 1 July 2014.
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The Bottom Line: Is Cantaloupe Good For You
Yes, cantaloupe is good for you! It is a flavorful fruit with numerous health benefits and can be incorporated into a healthy diet in many different and fun meals and snacks. It is a low-calorie, high-fiber fruit with several health benefits for a balanced lifestyle! Just be sure always to wash your cantaloupe well before eating!
Cantaloupe Has A Low Carbon Footprint
Does cantaloupe have a high or low carbon footprint?
Cantaloupe has a low carbon footprint compared to other foods.
What is the carbon footprint of cantaloupe?
It takes around 0.14 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of fresh cantaloupe, a car driving equivalent of 0.5 miles or 0.75 kilometers.
Food not only has a water footprint but also a carbon footprint, known as CO2e, which stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. Since carbon measurements are a bit more difficult to comprehend, it is common to equate CO2e to the distance which a car drives in miles or kilometers.
When calculating carbon emissions, some factors may include
But thats not all!
Its best to keep the following in mind when grocery shopping:
- shopping locally reduces transportation emissions
- food without packaging reduces waste as well as the carbon footprint
- refrigerated and frozen foods increase carbon emissions
- seasonal foods reduce carbon emissions from hothouses
- growing plant-based foods at home is the most environmentally sustainable method with zero carbon footprint
Find out how much carbon your food emits with this: Carbon Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
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Ways To Use Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are delicious on their own or in fruit salad, but there are other surprising ways to use them. Here are a few examples:
- Cantaloupe smoothie. This nutritious drink is made from cantaloupe, Greek yogurt, and natural sweetener. It makes a great breakfast or snack. View the recipe.
- Cantaloupe salad. Combining cantaloupe with basil, mozzarella, onions, red wine vinegar, and olives gives it a savory kick. View the recipe.
- Cantaloupe sorbet. You only need four ingredients to make this frosty treat: cantaloupe, lemon, honey, and water. View the recipe.
- Roasted cantaloupe. Most people wouldnt dream of roasting cantaloupe, but it brings out the melons natural sweetness. View the recipe.
Who Should Not Eat Cantaloupe
Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora says, excess of melons may not be the best of idea for diabetics. It can cause sugar overload which could lead to high blood sugar levels. The glycemic index of watermelon is 72, which is high. Cantaloupe has a GI value of 65.
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When Is The Best Time To Eat Cantaloupe
SummerEating fruits and vegetables that are in season offer the best tasting and nutrient rich diet. Consuming whole foods at their peak is the optimum way to nourish your body and maintain a healthy way of eating. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a fresh, juicy cantaloupe from your garden or local farmers market.
Amazing Health Benefits Of Cantaloupe
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da Silva Dias, João Carlos. Nutritional and health benefits of carrots and their seed extracts. Food and Nutrition Sciences 5, no. 22 : 2147.
Fruits and vegetables play a significant protective role in disease prevention in the human body. While it is the berries that usually take the spotlight when it comes to health quotient, cantaloupe or muskmelon, research shows, is also highly nutrient-rich. Vitamins A, B, C, and K, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and even omega-3 fats are all present in the fruit making cantaloupe a very healthy fruit.Laur, Lisa M., and Li Tian. Provitamin A and vitamin C contents in selected California-grown cantaloupe and honeydew melons and imported melons. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 24, no. 2 : 194-201.
Here are a few more muskmelon advantages that will convince you to make the fruit a part of your regular diet.
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