The horned melon, also known as the African horned cucumber or jelly melon, is a fruit that grows on vines in Africa’s dry areas. It has a rough, prickly outside and brilliant orange, jelly-like within. It is often consumed as a fruit but may also use to make jams, jellies, and other preserves. Cucumber and lime are used to describe the taste.
So let us dive into the 18 Amazing Benefits of horned melon (kiwano) to our health.
Table of Contents
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Horned melon is high in antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable chemicals that may cause cell damage and aid in developing chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants operate by neutralizing free radicals, reducing the harm they may cause. The vivid orange flesh of the horned melon is due to high quantities of carotenoids, which are antioxidants. According to several pieces of research, horned melon is high in vitamin C. This antioxidant protects the body from oxidative damage and inflammation.
2. Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C, a crucial component that serves various critical functions in the body, is abundant in horned melons. Vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, is a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage. It also supports the immune system, promotes good skin, and aids iron absorption from plant-based diets. Vitamin C is also required for collagen synthesis. This protein aids in the strength of the skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Horned melon is high in vitamin C and may help you achieve your daily vitamin C requirement, which is 75-90 mg for adults.
3. Good For Digestion
Horned melon has a lot of fiber and water, which might help you have regular bowel movements and avoid constipation. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that adds weight to the stool and stimulates the peristaltic action of the intestines to encourage regular bowel motions. Horned melon is also rich in water content, which may help keep the digestive system hydrated and avoid constipation. A horned melon’s fiber and water content may also help reduce the chance of developing diverticulitis, an illness characterized by intestinal inflammation. Eating horned melon daily may help regulate the digestive system, avoid constipation, and be good for those suffering from hemorrhoids and other gastrointestinal difficulties.
4. Best For Hydration
Horned melon has a high water content, making it an excellent option for keeping hydrated. The human body needs water to operate correctly, and being hydrated is critical for optimum health. The water content of horned melon may help restore fluids lost via sweat, urine, and other physiological activities. Horned melon is also a low-calorie snack, making it a good option for individuals who want to stay hydrated without ingesting too many calories.
Dehydration symptoms include dry mouth, weariness, reduced urine production, dark-colored urine, dizziness or lightheadedness, dry skin, and constipation. Eating horned melon may help you keep hydrated, particularly in hot weather or while you’re doing vigorous activity. It’s also a fantastic substitute for sugary or caffeinated beverages, which may dehydrate you.
5. Very Low In Calorie
Horned melon is low in calories, making it an excellent option for dieters. A 100-gram portion of horned melon provides around 34 calories, which is minimal compared to other fruits. Eating low-calorie foods like horned melon may help you lose weight by lowering your total calorie consumption.
However, it is crucial to remember that losing weight requires more than just consuming low-calorie meals; it also requires a well-balanced diet and frequent physical exercise. Horned melon may be a healthy addition to a weight-loss diet, but it is not a miracle cure. Regular exercise and eating a range of nutrient-dense meals may support weight reduction and general health.
6. Assist in Lowering Blood Pressure
The benefits of Horned Melon may assist in controlling blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
A rat research discovered that horned melon extract lowers blood pressure through the dilation of blood vessels, enabling blood to flow more smoothly through the body. Another research discovered that drinking horned melon juice may help decrease blood pressure by decreasing the action of an enzyme that constricts blood vessels.
It should be noted. However, an additional study is required to validate the impact of horned melon on human blood pressure. Eating horned melon as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle, which includes regular physical exercise and staying at a healthy weight, may help decrease blood pressure and minimize the risk of heart disease.
7. Improve Skin Health
Combating free radicals and increasing collagen synthesis Collagen is a protein that helps maintain skin firm and supple. Collagen creation requires vitamin C. Horned melon is high in vitamin C, which may aid collagen formation and skin health.
Horned melon’s high antioxidant content may also help prevent the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and other symptoms of aging. Antioxidants operate by neutralizing free radicals, which helps to protect the skin from the harm they might cause.
8. Aid in Weight Loss
This fruit is rich in fiber, which may aid with weight loss. Eating low-calorie foods like horned melon may help you lose weight by lowering your total calorie consumption. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that adds weight to the stool and stimulates the peristaltic action of the intestines to encourage regular bowel motions. Horned melon is also high in water, which might help you feel full and satisfied, lowering your chances of overeating.
Fiber also aids in weight reduction by delaying digestion, which may help you feel fuller for longer. This may help lessen cravings and keep you from overeating.
It’s crucial to remember that losing weight requires more than just eating low-calorie items; it also requires a well-balanced diet and frequent physical exercise. Horned melon may be a healthy addition to a weight-loss diet, but it is not a miracle cure. Regular exercise and eating a range of nutrient-dense meals may support weight reduction and general health.
9. Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes patients may benefit from horned melon’s ability to reduce blood sugar levels. According to certain research, drinking horned melon juice may help reduce blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin action. This hormone keeps blood sugar levels in check.
Horned melon is also low in calories and fiber, which may aid in weight reduction and increase insulin sensitivity, aiding blood sugar control. Horned melon’s strong antioxidant content may also help to reduce blood sugar levels by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.
10. Improve Heart Health
Horned melon may help your heart by decreasing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. High blood pressure, as previously stated, is associated with heart disease and stroke. Horned melon may assist in reducing blood pressure via the dilation of blood vessels, allowing blood to circulate more freely through the body. Furthermore, horned melon may assist in decreasing cholesterol levels by inhibiting the action of an enzyme that contributes to cholesterol synthesis.
Horned melon is also high in antioxidants, which may help protect the heart by neutralizing free radicals, which can contribute to heart disease development. Horned melon’s strong antioxidant content could benefit heart health by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.
11. Improve Immunological Function
Horned melon has a lot of vitamin C and other antioxidants, which might help boost your immune system. Vitamin C is a vital component that aids the immune system by promoting the creation and function of white blood cells, which aid in the fight against infections. Antioxidants like vitamin C protect cells from free radical damage, which may impair the immune system.
Other antioxidants, such as carotenoids found in horned melon, may help strengthen the immune system by neutralizing free radicals and lowering inflammation.
12. Reduce inflammation
Horned melon may help decrease inflammation, assisting those who have arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory diseases. The body’s natural reaction to injury or illness is inflammation. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, may lead to the development of chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids found in horned melon may aid in decreasing inflammation by neutralizing free radicals and decreasing oxidative stress. Horned melon may also aid in inflammation reduction by inhibiting the action of inflammatory enzymes and chemicals.
13. Improve Eye Health
Horned melon may enhance eye health by combating free radicals and encouraging healthy eyesight. Horned melon’s high antioxidant content may aid in protecting the eyes from free radical damage, which can lead to the development of age-related eye illnesses such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Vitamin C, contained in horned melon, also benefits eye health since it protects the cornea, retina, and other eye areas from UV light damage. It also aids in the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the maintenance of the eye’s blood vessels.
14. Supports in Brain Health
Horned melon may benefit brain health by combating free radicals and boosting good cognitive function. Horned melon’s high antioxidant content may aid in protecting the brain from free radical damage, a risk factor for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Horned melon is also high in vitamin C. This antioxidant may help protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to cognitive loss.
15. Increase Bone Density
Vitamin C is required for the formation of collagen. Collagen is a protein in our bones that helps keep them strong and healthy.
Vitamin C also contributes to bone health by assisting the body in the absorption of iron. This mineral promotes bone health. Other antioxidants, such as carotenoids found in horned melon, may help promote bone health by neutralizing free radicals and lowering inflammation.
16. Maintain Kidney Health
Currently, there is little study on the impact of horned melons on human kidney function. According to some research, consuming horned melons may improve animal renal function. More study is required to validate these results in people.
Horned melon has a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, which may help protect the kidneys from free radicals and inflammation. More study is required, however, to validate the effects of horned melon on renal function.
17. Improve Liver Function
There needs to be more investigation into the impact of horned melons on human liver function. Some studies have suggested that eating horned melons may improve animal liver function. Antioxidants like vitamin C and carotenoids found in horned melon may help protect the liver from free radicals and inflammation.
According to some research, eating horned melon may help prevent liver damage caused by pollutants like alcohol and pharmaceuticals. It may also help lower the risk of liver disease by lowering enzyme activity, which leads to liver damage.
18. It Supports Overall Health
Horned melon may benefit overall health by supplying a variety of key minerals and antioxidants. Horned melon’s strong vitamin C and antioxidant content may help protect the body from free radical damage and enhance general wellness. Horned melon is also high in fiber, which promotes regular bowel motions and improves general health.
Conclusion
Kiwano (horned melon) has a distinct flavor and texture and is high in nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration. It may provide a variety of health advantages, including lowering blood pressure and sugar levels, encouraging healthy digestion, enhancing skin, immunological, and brain health, decreasing inflammation, boosting weight reduction, and increasing eye and bone health. However, further study is required to validate the impact of horned melons on these health issues in people.
I am Amit Kumar Singh I am a professional health and wellness blogger for 4 years I have expertise in nutrition and Fitness