5 Health Benefits of Cantaloupe

Did you know that cantaloupe was first known to the Egyptians dating back to 2400 BC? That’s over 4,000 years ago!¹

Cantaloupe is a delicious fruit enjoyed by many during the warm summer months. Here are some health benefits of cantaloupe!

Great Nutritional Value

One health benefit of cantaloupe is that it contains many vitamins and nutrients. Cantaloupe is low in fat and has a very low-calorie count. Specifically, one cup of cantaloupe has:

100% of the Daily Value of Vitamin A
100% of the Daily Value of Vitamin C
12% of the Daily Value of Potassium²
4% of the Daily Value of Fiber³

In order to receive the maximum health benefits from cantaloupe, it is recommended to eat it raw. By doing this, you avoid losing nutrients.

Improves Hydration

Another health benefit of cantaloupe is that it may help improve the body’s hydration levels. This is because one cup of cantaloupe is 90 percent water, which equals a half a cup of water consumed per serving.⁴ Eating fruits filled with water are a natural way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

It is important to stay hydrated, especially in the warmer months. If you become dehydrated, then you could be at risk for heat exhaustion, kidney problems, and seizures.

Lowers Inflammation

Cantaloupe is found that its antioxidant, cucurbitacin, may lower inflammation in your body. Cucurbitacin is also responsible for lowering the risk of atherosclerosis, which is a heart disease caused by the inflammation of your blood vessels.⁵

If your body experiences inflammation for a long period of time, then there is an increased risk of damage to your body. For example, it may cause damage to your cells and organs, scarring of tissues, and damage to your DNA.⁶

May Prevent Asthma

An additional health benefit of cantaloupe is that it may prevent asthma from developing in your lungs later in your life. This is because of the high amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C found in cantaloupe.⁷

Beta carotene and vitamin C are beneficial antioxidants in your body. Beta carotene is also used to make vitamin A and is what gives the cantaloupe its orange color.⁸ The beta carotene and vitamin C work together to lower lung inflammation and swelling, which reduces the risk of asthma.⁹

Improves Eye Health

Another health benefit of cantaloupe is that it may improve your eye health. Cantaloupe has plant compounds, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which are responsible for preventing your eyes from age-related macular degeneration and other eye-related diseases.¹⁰

Lutein and zeaxanthin have been found to protect the retina from light and sun damage and reduce inflammation in the eye.¹¹ They also protect your eyes from eye oxidation and may slow down the development of cataracts.¹²

Ways to Eat Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a tasty and healthy fruit that can easily be incorporated into your diet. Here are some examples to help you get started:

Add cantaloupe to your fruit kabob
Enjoy it as a side to your meal
Slice cantaloupe for a snack
Add cantaloupe to your fruit salad
Add cantaloupe to your fruit tray
Sprinkle pepper on cantaloupe to add flavor
Add cantaloupe to your salad
Make cantaloupe juice
Add cantaloupe to your smoothie
Make cantaloupe fruit popsicles
Eat cantaloupe with your yogurt

Saber Healthcare

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides consulting services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Commitment + Clinical Leadership = Better Outcomes