3 Healthy Reasons to Enjoy Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe, one of the most popular varieties of melon in the United States, is considered a super food for some very good reasons. Here are 3 healthy reasons to enjoy cantaloupe:

For more superfood information and delicious recipes, click here.

3 HEALTHY REASONS TO ENJOY CANTALOUPE:

1.  An Excellent Source of Vitamins and Nutrients

When perfectly ripe, it has a light and refreshing flavor, and offers tons of nutrients for just 60 calories per cup with zero grams of fat. It also gives you 120% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A as well as a whopping 108% of your RDA of Vitamin C per cup.

“Along with vitamin C, vitamin A helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the bloodstream, where it can lead to heart attack or stroke.” (Source)

2.  Cantaloupe is Good for Your Skin

Cantaloupe is packed with beta-carotene, which helps to promote clear skin. It works to thin out the outer layer of dead skin that can clog pores. Plus, studies show that beta-carotene may even help prevent wrinkles because it improves elasticity and stops some signs of premature aging.

3.  Cantaloupe Isn’t Just Nutritious. It’s Delicious, Too!

In addition to offering a number of health benefits, cantaloupe tastes good enough to be added to your diet without much struggle. It’s an excellent addition to summer salads, can even be blended into tasty smoothies or ice pops, and is filling enough to work as a healthy snack.

Preparation Tips:

Please note that increased reports of illness from contamination of cantaloupe are surfacing.

Here’s what you can do to avoid getting sick while enjoying this wonderful super food:

“The FDA has recommended that consumers avoid produce with blemishes, wash hands with soap before handling melons, and scrub melons with a brush under cool tap water before consumption [40]. As with any food preparation, utensils, knives, and cutting boards should be cleaned in hot, soapy or chlorinated water before and after use, and should not be cross-contaminated with uncooked foods, particularly those of animal origin. Intact cantaloupes may be stored at room temperature, but cut products should be refrigerated within 2 h of preparation, or else discarded. Even with these precautions, some level of risk of illness associated with the consumption of cantaloupes remains.” (Source)