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The health benefits of cantaloupe are immense. Besides being delicious and fresh, cantaloupe is also packed with nutrients.
Not surprisingly, this fruit, which is easily found in traditional markets, is always the best-selling fruit during Ramadan.
Based on nutritional information from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), one cup of fresh cantaloupe (160 grams) contains about 55 calories, mainly from carbohydrates.
There are 14 grams of total carbohydrates with 1.3 grams of fiber and 12.6 grams of natural sugars. Making cantaloupe as an iftar menu will provide many good benefits for your health.
Restores body fluids
Lack of body fluids during fasting will have a negative impact on the body. In fact, during fasting, there are often cases of mild dehydration that are enough to cause weakness, headaches, dizziness or digestive problems.
For iftar, in addition to drinking enough water, cantaloupe can be a useful option because it contains more than 90 percent water. Moreover, this fruit is also a source of electrolytes and potassium.
Solves digestive problems
Cantaloupe is high in fiber. Since it contains a lot of water, consuming cantaloupe during iftar is also beneficial for your digestive health.
If digestion is smooth, the body will be able to detoxify by removing toxins and helping the intestines digest food more smoothly.
Consuming cantaloupe, which is high in fiber, will also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
Lower blood pressure
By nature, cantaloupe is a fruit that is low in sodium but high in potassium. Also, with just one cup of cantaloupe, you can get 251 milligrams of potassium.
The combination of high potassium and sodium is also very effective for reducing high blood pressure.
When breaking the fast, cantaloupe is a great, heart-healthy choice as it can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
Maintain healthy skin
Cantaloupe is a high source of carotenoids (organic plant pigments) that can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Carotenoid pigments are able to prevent signs of aging on the skin including fine lines, discoloration, and wrinkles.
Maintain eye health
Cantaloupe contains a lot of vitamin A, so consuming it is very good for eye health. The same vitamins that carrots provide.
Vitamin A is also useful for the sense of sight. In fact, lack of this vitamin can cause cataracts in the eyes.
Tips for choosing a good cantaloupe
Here are some things you need to pay attention to when buying cantaloupe so that the benefits are maintained:
- Choose cantaloupes that are yellow to bright orange in color. Avoid choosing cantaloupe that is still green in color as it indicates that the cantaloupe is not fully ripe.
- A good, ripe cantaloupe is usually fragrant
- Try lightly pressing the cantaloupe you’ve chosen. If it’s still hard, it’s probably not really ripe. But if it has a texture that is too soft when pressed, it is likely that the cantaloupe is overripe. Choose a cantaloupe that is in between. Not hard and not too soft
- Avoid cantaloupes that look damaged as they can host bacteria.
- If you choose to buy unripe cantaloupe, make sure you keep it at room temperature for a few days first.
To get maximum benefits, the benefits of cantaloupe will be better for the body if you consume it regularly. Including cantaloupe as an iftar menu is a perfect choice.
However, before you combine cantaloupe with other fruits for your iftar, don’t forget to clean it with running water!
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