In Austria, in 2009, the largest giant melon was grown, weighing approximately 500 kilograms. The world learned about this natural wonder thanks to Christoph Schieder, the owner of Styrian, who raised it. At the international competition in Styria (Hartberg township), it turned out to be 1 kilogram heavier than a melon from Slovenia. It is known that the winner then received a prize in the amount of 1.3 thousand euros.
The first mention of melon can be found in the Bible (Numbers 11:5).
For Turkmens, every second Sunday of August is considered the "Day of the Turkmen melon", at this time in the Russian Orthodox churches of Turkmenistan it is customary to perform prayers for the consecration of all melons of the new crop.
Basically, the fruits are eaten raw, cut into slices and the outer skin removed. It is also tasty in a dried, dried form, even melon honey and jam are made from it, and the peel is suitable for making slightly bitter candied fruits.
Ingredients: calories, vitamins and minerals
Of 100 g of fruit, 88.5 g is water; 0.6 g Ї proteins; 7.4 g Ї carbohydrates, as well as a small amount of pectins, dietary fiber (fiber), organic acids and ash.
Of the vitamins, the most "ascorbic" (vitamin C) Ї up to 20 mg. At the same time, its fluctuations will depend on varietal characteristics, growing conditions, place and year of reproduction. For example, growing melons on dry land will increase sugar content, as well as the content of vitamin C by 2-4 mg%. There is a lot of folic acid in the fruits (6 μg). The same content (0.4 mg each) of vitamin A, niacin (vitamin PP or B3), thiamine and riboflavin (B1 and B2). The least content is tocopherol (vitamin E) - 0.1 mg. Of the macronutrients Ї, the content of potassium (118 mg), then sodium (32 mg), as well as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium (from 12 to 16 mg) is of the greatest importance. The fruits are saturated with zinc (90 mcg), copper (47 mcg), manganese (35 mcg), a small percentage of iron, iodine and cobalt.
Some melons turn out to be sweeter, and this, first of all, depends on the sucrose content (from 0.67 to 12.9% per 100 g of mass). Soil conditions have a huge impact on sugar content. So, if a melon is grown on chernozem soils, then it will turn out to be one and a half to two times sweeter than the one grown on sandy and chestnut soils.
The benefits of melon have been known since ancient times, and the modern agricultural market continues to delight us with its achievements. This melon culture is already represented by several thousand varieties. Thanks to this diversity, we can enjoy melons of various shapes, colors and even taste.
The most famous varieties - "collective farmer", "torpedo", "honey" and "nutmeg" - this fragrant sunny fruit is familiar to every gardener.
Melon - berry, fruit or vegetable?
The appearance of melon in the history of mankind was already noted in biblical scripture. India is considered to be a melon deposit; it appeared in our country only in the 15th century.
Scientists to this day do not stop arguing about which vegetable crop to attribute the melon to: some consider it a berry, others consider it a fruit.
Let's try to figure it out. First of all, the gourd family and the cucumber genus directly indicate that melon is a vegetable, but its similarity to watermelon (appearance, shape, method of cultivation) indicates that melon is a berry. There is no evidence that melon is a fruit.
Is melon good or not?
The benefit of melon is that it contains a large number of important substances. It is saturated with proteins, carbohydrates and organic acids. Also in the fiber of the fetus there are enzymes that are so necessary for digestion and minerals. The fetus has a positive effect on almost all systems of the human body. All the nutrients in the fruit are balanced and grouped in such a way that one group affects the heart and the other affects the liver.
The melon has only one drawback - it is heavy for the stomach, so you should not combine it with other products. Eating melon with different food groups can seriously affect your health and even lead to dehydration.
Benefits of melon
Melon is very useful due to the high content of nutrients in it. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory, nervous, immune systems of the human body.
The effect of melon on the circulatory system of the human body
The gourd culture is largely enriched with iron. It is this substance that is the main component of the circulatory system involved in the work. Iron particles contribute to the movement of oxygen through all the vessels of the human body and are involved in the production of hormones and the maintenance of a natural immune background.
The effect of melon on the immune, nervous systems and the condition of the bones and heart?
Melon is rich in calcium, magnesium, silicon and other substances necessary for our body. All these trace elements contribute to the normal maintenance of the immune system, stimulate the nervous system, and have a positive effect on the activity of the heart muscle.
In addition to nutrients, vitamins are also present in melon fiber. They have a fruitful effect on the strength of the bones of the skeleton.
Vitamin IN 1 helps to strengthen the nervous system and significantly improves human memory, IN 2 affects the condition of the skin and mucous membranes.
Melon contains one of the most important vitamins for humans - vitamin A . It protects the cells of the body from bacteria and viruses, and its antioxidant properties help cleanse free radicals. Melon also has a positive effect on the lungs. Eating melon helps improve eyesight.
The melon is rich and vitamin C which the contributes to the prevention of serious diseases and has a preventive effect. It is noteworthy that even a small amount of melon contains the daily norm of vitamin C. It is worth noting that the melon also contains important for the body folic acid, vitamin PP and vitamin E.
How does melon affect the digestive tract?
Melon mainly consists of coarse fibrous fiber. It helps the full functioning of the stomach. In addition, the melon contains such a rare element as inulin- a substance that contributes to the enrichment of the microflora of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
Most importantly, don't overdo it. If you use a large amount of melon, then intestinal upset cannot be avoided and the benefits of melon will be washed off on faience.
Who is melon good for?
Most people enjoy eating melon. However, there are those for whom it is contraindicated.
Melon is useful for people suffering from the following diseases:
- disease of the immune system;
- disease of the nervous system;
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- insomnia;
- constipation;
- anemia;
- atherosclerosis;
- kidney and liver diseases.
Of course, by eating melon, you do not cure these diseases, but they soften their course.
How many calories are in a melon?
Nutritionists have calculated that 100 grams of the fetus contains about 70 kcal. Of course, these indicators depend on the melon variety and the sugar content in the fiber of the fruit. Due to the high sugar content, the fruit is not the lowest calorie, but nutritionists recommend including melon in the diet of losing weight - fiber prevents sugars from being quickly absorbed.
How melon cleanses the human body
Cleansing the body can be done with the help of ordinary melon. This fruit contributes to the quick and easy removal of toxins and harmful substances from the human body. The fruit is especially useful for cleansing the intestines. It is there that the bulk of harmful substances accumulate.
Melon improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver, thereby cleansing the body and reducing weight. For those wishing to lose weight, experts recommend unloading the body several times a season and eating only boiled vegetables and, of course, melon.
What is made from melon?
Melon is best consumed fresh. In this form, it retains the maximum amount of nutrients.
The melon season is very short, and so you want to enjoy the fruit in winter. We suggest freezing it. To do this, you just need to peel the fruit, cut into small pieces and put in the freezer. After a while, transfer the frozen pieces to a closed container and put them back in the freezer. Melon can be consumed immediately after defrosting.
In general, melon is used to make delicious desserts and various sauces. But we must remember that the melon has a pronounced aroma, a certain consistency and a high sugar content.
And you can make delicious smoothies. To do this, you first need to cut the melon into pieces, break it with a hand blender, add water and beat again.
Melon smoothie has a diuretic effect and helps cleanse the digestive tract.
What can not be combined with melon?
Melon should be eaten as an independent dish. Combining the fruit with other foods can cause indigestion. You should not use it along with fermented milk products and alcohol - such a load on the digestive tract can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
This culture contains a very large amount of sugar. It is for this reason that a person constantly has a desire in the use of the fetus. Daily consumption of melon in large quantities can provoke indigestion, so it is worth limiting yourself to a few slices per day.
Who better not to eat melon?
Melon is not good for everyone.
To whom melon is contraindicated:
- patients with diabetes;
- people who have foci of inflammation and infection of the stomach or intestines;
- breastfeeding mothers, as this can cause intestinal upset in the child.
What should I pay attention to when choosing a melon?
When choosing a melon, first of all, it is worth carefully examining the fruit for external damage. If there are any, then it is better to immediately refuse to buy, since such a melon can be not only spoiled, but also dangerous to humans.
How to understand that the melon is ripe?
It emits a wonderful aroma (if the fruit does not exude a pleasant smell, then you should not buy it: either the melon is not ripe or spoiled).
Some ripeness is determined by slapping the melon with the palm of your hand. The louder the sound, the less ripe the melon. Another way is to make a scratch on the peel. If the melon skin is easily removed, then the melon is ripe. A soft melon also indicates readiness to eat, because the green fruit is firm and resilient.
Understanding people prefer to eat melons that ripen later than the main varieties. The benefit of melon is that there are very few harmful substances in it and they grow in a natural environment.
Methods for storing melon
Do not cut the melon completely. It is recommended to cut off as much as possible to eat at one time. Sliced melon should be stored for no more than a day - after a few hours, the melon loses a significant part of its taste. The room temperature should not be higher than room temperature.
Storage in the refrigerator is also allowed, but do not forget that the shelf life should not exceed seven days, and it is better to store the fruit in a closed container.
The best way is to buy a melon that you can eat right away. If it is not possible to eat the fruit right away, then it is better to freeze it and prepare a sauce or dessert.
Ecology of consumption. A juicy slice of sweet melon is a special treat. Do not deny yourself it, because the melon season is not so long...
A juicy slice of sweet melon is a special treat. Do not deny yourself it, because the melon season is not so long. In recent years, the use of melon for some reason has acquired a huge number of myths. Every now and then, the housewives at the melon breakups prefer watermelons to melons, saying that not everyone and not always can eat melon. But this is far from being the case. We will help you dispel the most popular myths about this wonderful oriental beauty: who should not eat melon, what foods should not be combined with it, and many others.
MYTH 1. MELON IS A USELESS PRODUCT IN WHICH THERE IS NOTHING BUT WATER AND SUGAR.
SHARE OF TRUTH: melon contains a lot of sugar: up to 16-20%, depending on the variety.
REALLY: melon is also rich in vitamins C, PP, B vitamins. In addition, there is a lot of potassium in melon (good for the cardiovascular system) and folic acid (as you probably know, it is good for pregnant women). In addition, melon contains a lot of iron.
MYTH 2. NOT EVERYONE CAN EAT A MELON
SHARE OF TRUTH: melon should not be consumed in diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, intestinal diseases, especially during an exacerbation.
MYTH 3. MELON SHOULD NOT BE GIVED TO CHILDREN
SHARE OF TRUTH: Some pediatricians believe that it is better not to give melon to children under 3 years old, because during this period it is better for babies to eat only neutral food. When the child is past the age of three, you can begin to give him a melon, watching his reaction.
REALLY: some experts believe that giving a piece of melon to a child can be tasted already at the age of one. In addition, melon is a good anthelmintic for children and is useful in cases of childhood constipation. So the final decision at what age your child will first try a melon is up to you.
MYTH 4. PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN SHOULD NOT EAT MELON
SHARE OF TRUTH: for women who are breastfeeding, melon is not recommended. It is believed that this can provoke indigestion in the baby.
REAL: Pregnant women will not hurt a slice of melon. Moderate consumption of melon during pregnancy helps to calm the nervous system, improves bowel function, and normalizes the water-salt balance.
MYTH 5. MELON SHOULD NOT BE FOR THOSE WHO LOSE WEIGHT
SHARE OF TRUTH: as we have already found out, melon is a very sweet product, containing a lot of sugar, so when eating melon, the breakdown of fat stops, and when overeating melon, excess carbohydrates can contribute to the accumulation of fat.
REALLY: melon is not that high in calories - it has only about 35 kcal per 100 g, and contains almost no proteins and fats. The melon also has a lot of fiber, which has a good effect on the functioning of the intestines, literally sweeping toxins out of it.
In addition, there are even special melon diets and melon fasting days. For example, during the day, between meals, it is recommended to eat about one and a half kilograms of melon. And if you need to remove toxins from the body, then for a couple of weeks in the morning before breakfast, you can drink a glass of melon juice.
MYTH 6. MELON IS DIFFICULT TO DIGEST
SHARE OF TRUTH: Some people sometimes complain that melons are hard to digest, especially when eaten on an empty stomach.
REALLY: it depends on the individual characteristics of the human digestive system. Only by experience you can find out exactly how this product affects your own body. In general, melon has a mild laxative and diuretic effect, so it is a good cleanser for the gastrointestinal tract.
MYTH 7. MELON SHOULD BE EATED SEPARATELY FROM MEAT AND OTHER PROTEIN PRODUCTS
SHARE OF TRUTH: In the 1930s, American naturopath Herbert Sheldon reported that melons were digested in the stomach in 30 minutes and meat in 2 hours. From this, he concluded that meat and melons should not enter the stomach together, otherwise undigested protein, together with the melon, will leave the stomach into the intestines, and the process of putrefaction and fermentation will begin there.
REALLY: you need to know that, unlike meat, melon is not digested in the stomach at all - melon is digested only in the small intestine. Thus, melon does not affect the digestion of proteins in any way - neither with an inhibitory nor an accelerating effect. Just eat it not for dessert, but before you start a heavy meal.
MYTH 8. MELON SHOULD NOT BE EATED WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS
SHARE OF TRUTH: in some individual cases, the reaction of the body to a melon, which is washed down with milk, is negative.
REALLY: in the national cuisines of different countries there are a lot of combinations that seem peculiar at first glance: melon with yogurt, melon with cottage cheese, melon with ricotta, melon with parmesan, melon with cream. It is unlikely that such recipes would have lived so long if they were categorically not suitable for all inhabitants of the Earth.published
Melons belong to the same family as cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and gourds. They contain many beneficial nutrients and are also full of antioxidants.
Melons also contain essential micronutrients such as copper, B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, folic acid, magnesium, and fiber.
There are 1.5 g of proteins per 200 g of melon and a small amount of many vitamins and minerals, including:
vitamin K
niacin
choline
calcium
magnesium
phosphorus
manganese
selenium
Here are 5 reasons why melon is the best vegetable you can buy in summer or autumn.
1. Strengthens the immune system
Melon is rich in carotenes and antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system and prevent infections.
Melon contains a lot of vitamin C, which captures disease-causing free radicals and helps strengthen the immune system. It also stimulates the production of white blood cells, which destroy viruses and bacteria.
2. Prevents cancer
“Treatment with all-t-trans retinoic acid (ATRT) is already being used for another form of cancer, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and has been extremely successful: the survival rate has increased from 0% to 80%.”
3. Great Source of Polyphenols
Melon contains two unique types of phytochemicals: carotenoids and cucurbitacins.
These are powerful antioxidants used in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
4. Many healing trace elements
Melon is just packed full of health benefits. According to the World's Healthiest Foods guide:
“Melon contains more beta-carotene than alpha-carotene. But since it contains both of these carotenoids, it also contains their derivatives, including lutein for alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene.
In addition to carotenoids, melon contains the flavonoid luteolin, antioxidant organic acids, including ferulic and caffeic acids, and anti-inflammatory cucurbitacins, including cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E. The nutritional richness of melon is perhaps its most underestimated medicinal property. !"
Moreover, the International Pharmaceutical Research Journal states:
“Cucumis melo [melon] has been proven to have beneficial medicinal properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-free radical, antiplatelet, antiulcer, anticancer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antidiabetic, antihelminthic, and contraceptive effects.
Thus, it is obvious that the melon fruit has a wide range of beneficial medicinal properties ... "
5. Alkalizes the body
Melon has a pH of 8.5, which means it contains quite a lot of alkali. And alkali helps to eliminate acids and toxins.
Numerous studies have shown a link between acidic pH and cancer. Cancer grows in an acid environment and cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Cancer cells make the body even more acidic by producing lactic acid. Therefore, cancer patients have a low pH and a high acid content in the body.
Alkalinization of the body is extremely important in the fight against cancer.
It can be seen on sale almost all year round, but a truly fresh and tasty melon should be bought during its harvest period: from August to October. At this time, its pulp is the most juicy, fragrant and sweet. Even though the melon's closest relatives are vegetables, due to its sweet pulp, it often ends up on a fruit plate. Who is she - a berry, fruit or vegetable? And what is useful to know about melon?
First of all, melon is a gourd culture. Its taste and properties have been appreciated by people since ancient times. Its official name is Cucumis melo, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Cucumber genus. The botanical structure and development cycle of the melon resembles annual herbs, but the cultivation method is melon culture. Vegetables are the edible fruits of herbal plants, so melon is often referred to as one of them. And in Japan, there are separate plantations where unsweetened varieties of this crop are grown as vegetables.
However, in the wild, melons the size of an ordinary plum are often found. Perhaps this is what prehistoric fruits looked like - juicy and small. And this already fits the botanical definition of a berry - “small fruits of herbs or shrubs”, since fruits mainly grow on trees. The melon plant itself, according to botanical characteristics, belongs more to vegetables than fruits. Its fruit is classified as a berry, and scientifically called "pumpkin".
2. Ancient origin
In Russia, they learned about this outlandish culture only in the 15-16 centuries. It was brought from the countries of Central Asia, from where the largest deliveries of melons are still made. But it was known about it long before the Middle Ages. There are words about melon fruits in the most famous book in the world - the Bible. The ancient Egyptians cultivated these berries as early as 2,000 years ago. It has also been used in some North African cultures for quite some time. But still, Iran and North India are considered the official homeland of this culture.
Melon is usually cultivated for its unique sweet and juicy flesh. However, all parts of this tasty berry can be useful. For example, from the peel, seeds and flowers of melons, original dishes, preparations, cosmetics and medicinal products are obtained. Dried or roasted berry seeds are popular as a snack in India and some African countries. Leaves and roots are actively used in traditional medicine, especially in Chinese. Interestingly, the sweetness of the pulp can gain only in the process of growth. If you tear the fruit from the stem, then it will no longer be able to improve its taste, as some sellers of melons mistakenly claim.
4. Unusual recipes
Melon is loved in almost all corners of the planet. Previously, it was used as dishes, which they continue to do now for a beautiful presentation of the dish. There are many options for preparing this berry. In addition to the traditional use in raw form, it is dried, boiled, smoked, fried, frozen, pickled. Melon recipes are found in many cuisines around the world. It can make an excellent dessert, light snack, salad, and even a main course. Here are some of the originals:
melon soup
From the pulp of a melon (two medium fruits), peach juice (a glass), peeled pumpkin seeds (a handful), mint (one bunch) and champagne (half a glass), an original soup is prepared. To do this, the pulp of one melon is crushed in a blender with juice and champagne. Cool in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, and then pour into half of the second melon, previously pitted. This dessert is served with mint leaves and seeds.
Melon salad with shrimps
Melon pulp (300 g), boiled chopped shrimps (250 g), medium ripe tomatoes (4 pcs), a small cucumber, peeled orange are cut into cubes and mixed. Season with a sauce of juice of half a lemon, olive oil (2 tablespoons), salt and black pepper to taste. Top the salad with chopped almonds.
Melon in batter
To do this, you need a not too juicy melon. For batter, you need to take half a cup of flour, two tablespoons of starch, a quarter cup of water, one egg and a tablespoon of sunflower oil and about four tablespoons of salt. All ingredients are well mixed. The melon is cut into small pieces (no more than 2-2.5 cm), dipped first in flour, and then in batter. Fried in sunflower or olive oil over low heat.
5. Medical nutrition
Melons are known for more than just their nutritional value. In many cultures, these berries were used to treat various diseases. For example, in China, with the help of melon, the symptoms of fever and gastrointestinal disorders were alleviated. The seeds of this plant were crushed and added to the daily diet to fight tuberculosis and heart problems. All this thanks to the high level of potassium and adenosine. Some researchers claim that fruits and vegetables that contain the antioxidant lycopene can help lower your risk of developing cancer and reduce early signs of aging. South Korean scientists have found a fairly large percentage of lycopene in melon.
Melons are not only a symbol of fertility, but also of luxury, since a few centuries ago only well-to-do people could purchase them. These berries were once a rarity. They were grown in their gardens by monarchs and aristocrats. Until now, there are very rare and expensive varieties of this plant, for example, the melon of King Yubari. It can make a very expensive dessert worth over $20,000. It has the most delicate and very juicy pulp with a hint of orange.
7. The character is ambiguous
Despite the mass of useful and nutritional properties, melon in the daily diet is not suitable for everyone. People suffering from diabetes, stomach problems (in particular, ulcers), intestinal diseases, duodenal ulcers should not abuse melon (especially during an exacerbation), since it contains a lot of acids and sugars. However, in diseases of the liver and genitourinary system, this fruit can be useful. And because of the rich content of iron in it, it is good to use it for anemia, atherosclerosis, heart disease and for recovery after surgery.
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