The World’s Healthiest Foods found that cantaloupe has surprising health benefits, especially for those who are struggling with metabolic syndrome. This fruit, derived from the melon family, is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant properties.

Cantaloupe has roots in both the African and Asian continents. In the United States, California gets the credit for producing half of the cantaloupes consumed in the U.S. Other sources for cantaloupe include Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Indiana and Arizona, as well as cantaloupe imported from Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

The Benefits of  Cantaloupe

According to the World’s Healthiest Foods, one cup of cantaloupe contains a whopping 78% of the vitamin C one needs daily. This fruit also has:

  • Vitamin A
  • Potassium
  • Folate
  • Copper
  • Vitamin B1, B3, and B6.
  • Vitamin K
  • Magnesium
  • Fiber

Cantaloupe also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In fact, TheWorld’s Healthiest Foods notes research that found people who ate at least 12 ounces of fruit, including cantaloupe, daily had lower levels of C-reactive protein. This is used to assess inflammation levels in the human body.

In other studies that involved animals, cantaloupe helped with lowering oxidative stress in diabetic animals and improved their insulin resistance capacity as well. There is potential for future research into the health benefits of cantaloupe in humans.

How to Eat Cantaloupe

To prepare cantaloupe, The World’s Healthiest Foods recommends:

  • Washing your hands and utensils before and after use.
  • Washing the cantaloupe under cool running water.
  • Scrubbing the outer layer of skin with a brush and pat it down to dry.
  • Cutting the top, or stem end, off.
  • Scooping out the seeds and save for later. Baked cantaloupe seeds make a tasty snack.
  • Storing the sliced fruit in the refrigerator. Throw away any cut cantaloupe that has been sitting at room temperature for two hours or more.

All of these preventative measures are aimed at preventing contamination from E. coli, Listeria, or Salmonella.  

Want to learn more about the health benefits of cantaloupe? You can read the full blog post by The World’s Healthiest Foods here:  “What’s New and Beneficial About Cantaloupe.”