Muskmelon is a nutrient-packed water-rich refreshing fruit that offers multiple benefits. It is an excellent choice of fruit during pregnancy, promoting both mother’s and foetus’s balanced growth.
All pregnant women are recommended to have 2-4 servings of fresh fruits every day as a part of their balanced diet, where each serving amounts to medium-sized fruit. Muskmelon is a delicious low-calorie treat that can suffice the essential minerals and vitamins requirements of a pregnant woman.
Muskmelon, popularly known as Kharbuja or sweet melon, is readily available in summer season in India and has a sweet taste. Here, are some of the well-known benefits offered by this fruit:
Muskmelon – Health benefits
- Regulates blood pressure
Muskmelon is rich in potassium which helps to regulate your blood pressure. It’s rich watery content and high fibre controls blood pressure.
- Rich in antioxidants
Muskmelons are rich in antioxidants and anticoagulants. Antioxidants prevent the cells from damage caused by free radicals, and anticoagulants ensure that blood is not very thick as blood clotting can result in complications during pregnancy.
- Support bone and tooth growth
Muskmelons are rich in nutrients like Calcium which support the growth of bone and tooth structure. It aids in the development of both mothers as well as the foetus.
- Promotes skin health
Muskmelon has a high amount of collagen in it. Adding it as a part of a regular diet will boost skin health. Muskmelon is also used in the preparation of face packs.
- Muskmelon helps in overcoming anaemia
You wouldn’t have heard of this before, but melons are rich in Iron and vitamin C. Muskmelon boosts up haemoglobin production, leading to a healthy count of red blood cells in the body, ensuring a healthy supply of oxygen for the baby. You would be surprised to know that WHO has reported that around the globe 40.1% of pregnant women are deficient in Iron.
- Promotes healthy digestion
Muskmelon is rich in fibres and water which also serves another important function. It helps in ensuring a smooth bowel movement preventing constipation.
- Maintains Hydration
In pregnancy, you anyways need to drink excess water to keep your body hydrated. Having melons in your regular diet is considered beneficial as 90% of melons are made up of water, which serves as a great source of Hydration. The electrolytic balance of the body is also well-maintained by consuming muskmelon.
- Vitamin A supplement
Muskmelon is not just a delicious juicy treat but is power-packed with several vital nutrients. Another essential nutrient which it contains is Vitamin A which leads to the cognitive development of the foetus. Ample intake of muskmelon ensures that the foetus develops appropriately with no congenital disabilities.
Vitamin A contributes to the foetus’s cognitive development, playing a crucial role in developing the heart, lung, eye, and kidney.
- Rich phosphorus supplement
Phosphorus plays a crucial role in muscle contraction at the onset of labour. Muskmelon is a vital source of phosphorus, which also facilitates nerve and kidney function, and aids the body in repairing damaged tissues.
- Providing Immunity
Muskmelons are rich in vitamin C which combats colds, coughs, and viral fever. Vitamin C boosts the production of fighter cells in the body, keeping you and your foetus safe from infections.
- Source of Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 helps in facilitating the function of the Central Nervous System. It also minimises nausea and giddiness, which is a familiar sensation among pregnant women.
Are melons safe during pregnancy?
Melons are great snacks to munch on during pregnancy. They are safe to be consumed during pregnancy as long as you eat them in moderation. The outer peel of melons sometimes contains a bacteria called listeria, which reportedly causes miscarriage in women. You need to make sure that you clean the melons nicely before consuming them.
Is muskmelon hot or cold?
Muskmelon has a cooling effect on the body, so they serve as the best choice as a summer snack. Melons are great in beating the heat/burning sensation in the body.
But, you must avoid eating them if you have a sore throat or have developed a cold/cough.
What is the best time to eat muskmelon?
Muskmelons or watermelons should never be had the first thing in the morning, for they are rich in dietary fibers and may lead to gas or bloating through the day.
Eating muskmelon is great during breakfast when your body is ready to digest it better. Or, you may choose to have it as a dessert, a post-lunch, or post-dinner. Some women love to eat melons as an early evening snack which is great to beat the summer heat.
Melons are an absolute delight to relish in summers. We must thank Mother Nature for blessing us with such treats to keep us full and healthy.
Can we eat watermelon and muskmelon together?
Melons can be consumed together but should not be consumed with other fruits. Melons are much easily digestible owing to their high watery content, unlike other fruits, so it works out best to consume them separately.
Muskmelon seeds
Many people wash the muskmelon seeds and dry them in the Sun. Muskmelon seeds are also power-packed with nutrients. The seeds are rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A, which prevents cataracts, lowers your blood pressure, keeps your nails and hair healthy, relieves stress, acts as a folate supplement in pregnancy, and maintains a healthy heart. They also release phlegm from the chest in the cold and ease congestion.
You would have seen your grandmother munching on muskmelon seeds in the olden days. No wonder our earlier generations were super healthy due to the proper nutrition they were consuming, the knowledge of which had come to them naturally.
Hopefully, after being aware of the immense benefits muskmelon offers, you would ensure to include them in your diet to provide ample nutrition to yourself and your foetus.