The cantaloupe is recognized by two main elements, its rough netted stone and greenish skin. When ripe, its flesh is juicy and sweet tasting with floral musky aroma. When lightly pressed at the bottom end (opposite the scarred end where it is cut from the stem), it should yield just a little.
Juicing experts recommend that cantaloupe should not be mixed with other types of fruits or vegetables. This is due to the fact that cantaloupes are nutrient rich and provide a large variety of nutrients on their own without adding anything. This does not mean it can’t be combined, just that from nutritional standpoint it is not necessary. Furthermore, when juicing cantaloupes the whole fruit, inclusive of rind and seeds can be used. These parts house a wealth of nutrients which are otherwise wasted.
Tangy Cantaloupe Juice
Ingredients:
- ½ cantaloupe
- 2 medium sized oranges
- A healthy pinch of cinnamon
Directions:
Wash the melon and if using the whole fruit, take extra care to scrub away the dust with a brush. Cut into wedges small enough to fit your juicer and juice. Combine with juice of the oranges and a hint of cinnamon to boost metabolism. It is best to consume the juice immediately to gain the maximum benefits.
Add-ons
- Carrots
- Strawberries
Nutritional Information
Cantaloupes are very good suppliers of viatmins A and C, good suppliers of potassium and a number of B vitamins like B1, B3, B6 and folate in addition to vitamin K, and magnesium. When seeds are also juiced a limited amount of omega-3 fats are also supplied.
Cantaloupes contain the carotenoids alpha and beta carotene as well as their derivatives lutein and zeaxanthin along with the flavonoid luteolin. The anti-inflammatory cucurbitacins B and E are also present in the fruit.
Health Benefits Cantaloupe
Metabolic syndrome is a group of five conditions including elevated sugar levels, blood pressure and triglycerides, excess body fat around the waist and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels that together increase the chances of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Typically these problems are associated with undesirable inflammation, and stress resulting from lifestyles. Individuals with greater intake of cantaloupes and other fruits have been observed to have decreased risks of metabolic syndrome. This is due to the fact that cantaloupe contains a broad range of antioxidants known to aid in preventing oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.