What is a golden melon?
Golden melon is a specie of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties, it is a sizeable, bright-yellow melon with a pale green to white inner flesh. Botanically known as Cucumis melo, the golden melon is originally from Europe and Africa before spreading to other parts of the world. It is distinguished by its bright golden coloured firm skin with succulent juicy sweet flesh.
Golden melon is of great importance to us due to its high medicinal and nutritional benefits.
What Are The Health Benefits of Golden Melon?
A Rich Source of Vitamins and Nutrients
Golden melon is a great source of essential minerals and nutrients such as vitamin C, pantothenic acid, calcium, zinc, vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamin A and omega-3 & 6. Studies reveal that these vitamins are super essential for the healthy functioning of our body systems.
Boost Mental Health
Golden melon is a good source of vitamin B6 which helps to produce serotonin in our body. Serotonin is a type of chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter for relaying signals from one area of the brain to the other. This signal affects the brain cells and thus impacting the way we feel, sleep, behave, and our appetite. It also has an impact on our memory, sexual desire, and the way our body regulates its temperature. Serotonin deficiency is thought to be associated with several psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depressed mood, and aggression.
Boost Immunity
Golden Melon is a good source of powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you’re exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. This explains why they are effective for preventing DNA damage and for fighting diseases.
Prevents constipation
Crude fiber is a measure of the quantity of indigestible cellulose, pentosans, lignin, and other components of this type in present foods. Crude fiber is also useful in the chemical determination of succulence of fresh vegetables and fruits; over mature products have increased levels of crude fiber. Studies reveal that golden melon seeds are a rich source of protein and crude fibre. De-hulled golden melon seeds contain approximately 50% of oil. Crude fiber consists largely of cellulose(60-80%) and lignin (4-6%) plus some mineral matter. These Fibers are beneficial in treating or preventing constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, coronary heart diseases, and some type of cancer. Including the golden melon in our daily diets is important for cleansing the colon and for eradicating toxins. The result is a healthy body with a balanced weight and a healthier you.
Anti-diabetic activity
According to studies, the fruit peel extracts of golden melon have been shown to increase the levels of thyroid hormones and insulin indicating their potential to ameliorate the diet-induced alterations and hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus. These beneficial effects could be due to the rich content of polyphenols and ascorbic acid in the peel extracts. Insulin helps control blood glucose levels by signaling the liver and muscle and fat cells to take in glucose from the blood. Insulin, therefore, helps cells to take in glucose to be used for energy. If the body has sufficient energy, insulin signals the liver to take up glucose and store it as glycogen.
Regulates the blood pressure
The intake of golden melon helps to regulate the blood pressure level due to the presence of potassium. Studies reveal that potassium releases signals within the body, which helps to stimulate and regulate the nerves and muscles’ contractions. As a result, our nerves, blood vessels, and muscles greatly depend on this vitamin for healthy functioning and for maintaining normal blood pressure.
Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Due to the high amount of vitamin B6 in golden melon, the serotonin released in the body helps to convert homocysteine and amino acid into essential substances. This is very fundamental as studies reveal that increased homocysteine levels are a potential cause of cardiovascular disease. The Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids present in golden melon also make it effective for maintaining a healthy heart.
Hydrates the body and Maintains a balanced cholesterol level
Due to the high water content of the golden melon, the fruit can be eaten regularly to keep the body hydrated. Studies reveal that the flesh of the golden melon contains approximately 90% water thus important for your body. In addition, the high fiber content of the golden melon is essential for flushing out toxins from the body thus reducing bad LDL cholesterol.
In summary, Golden melon has been exposed to acquire useful medicinal properties such as antiulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anthelmintic, diuretic effect, antiplatelet, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antifertility activity.
Is golden melon seed edible?
No, golden melon seeds are not edible. Other varieties of melon seed are edible and are most times roasted for food because they are packed with nutrients, and healthy fatty acids, like omega-3s. They are also a good source of zinc.
Golden Melon Side-Effects & Allergies
Anti-fertility activity
If you are trying to get pregnant, then Golden melon is not for you, Cucumis melo is a favorite plant of many Asian communities for regulating fertility according to a study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. Golden melon has been associated with poorer fertility outcomes in women and men.
Risk Of Missing Out On Other Essential Macronutrients
Love Golden melons? Great. But make sure you exercise portion control. Eating only Golden melons may make you too full to load up on foods that are rich in other essential nutrients like healthy fats and proteins. Our body needs all nutrients in a certain percentage to sustain and be healthy. ALSO SEE: What are the Side Effects of Taking Cranberry Pills
Diarrhea
Golden melon sure makes an excellent fruit for its high water content and fiber. But consuming too much of it may pave way for diarrhea, claim some experts. Golden melon contains a sugar compound, which in moderate quantity is fine. However, if taken in excess, it is known to encourage loose stools and gas issues.
Golden melon is better avoided during pregnancy
The use of Golden melon is better avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Eating some foods and drinks during pregnancy may increase the risk of harm to you and/or your baby as such it’s best to avoid them. SEE: Nigerian Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy
Watch the video below to learn how to eat golden melon
