The harm and benefits of melon. How to eat melon correctly so as not to harm

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Melon is a summer delicacy that is loved by millions of people around the world. In addition to excellent taste and smell, it has many other positive qualities. Today we will talk about the benefits of melon for humans.

Melon is a summer delicacy that is loved by millions of people around the world. In addition to excellent taste and smell, it has many other positive qualities. Today we will talk about the benefits of melon for humans.

Melon - composition, calories, minerals, vitamins

Although this plant product is quite sweet and fits the definition of a fruit, from a biological point of view, melon is classified as a vegetable. It has low calorie content. In 100 gr. melons contain only 33 kilocalories, as well as 0.6 g. proteins, 0.3 g. fat, 7.4 g. carbohydrates.

The aromatic pulp contains the following mineral elements:

• Iron;
• Iodine;
• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Silicon;
• Sodium;
• Magnesium;
• Manganese;
• Copper;
• Zinc;
• Phosphorus;
• Fluorine.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of the total volume of the fruit is ordinary water, it contains an impressive list of vitamins:

• A;
• B;
• WITH;
• E;
• H;
• PP.

Thus, this vegetable is a real storehouse of vitamins and microelements beneficial to the human body. The ripe fruit includes dietary fiber, which has a positive effect on the intestines, cleansing it of waste and toxins.

Melon in cooking

The juicy and aromatic pulp of this fruit is an excellent component of fruit salads. But at the same time, yellow melons go well with ham, green melons go well with seafood, and honey melons are best used for making desserts and ice cream.

Mediterranean salad

To prepare this refreshing summer dish you will need:

• melon;
• cucumber;
• Cherry tomatoes;
• a couple of mozzarella balls;
• orange;
• basil leaves;
• olive oil;
• lemon juice;
• salt;
• pepper;
• sugar.

Use a spoon to cut balls out of the melon pulp, cut the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella into slices, peel the orange from the film. Mix all ingredients. Season the salad with olive oil, lemon juice, sugar and spices. Garnish the finished dish with basil leaves.

Melon with ham

Place spinach or green salad leaves on the bottom of the plate, and pre-peeled and sliced ​​melon on top of the greens. The next layer is pieces of ham. Sprinkle everything on top with freshly ground pepper. In a separate bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt. Pour this mixture over the finished dish.

Useful properties of melon

Let's briefly consider the positive changes in the body that this vegetable causes:

• Saturates the body with energy, lifts mood, improves the overall emotional background;
• Improves the condition of skin, hair, blood vessels;
• Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, promotes more efficient digestion of food and the removal of substances that the body does not need. This is facilitated by fiber, which is found in abundance in melon;
• Normalizes energy exchange processes, thanks to the content of vitamin PP and folic acid;
• Has a mild diuretic effect;
• Strengthens the nervous system;
• Has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood;
• Improves human immunity.

Melon contains a sufficient amount of sugar; people suffering from diabetes (impaired pancreatic function) should use it with caution. In addition, the fruits can cause stomach upset due to poor compatibility with other foods.

Gastritis and nutrition

The definition of gastritis includes various gastrointestinal pathologies that cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The disease occurs in different forms. Depending on the severity, the gastroenterologist determines whether the patient can have melon with gastritis.

The main task of the diet is to eliminate those foods that provoke a relapse of the disease. Therefore, during an exacerbation, the patient’s menu includes light broths, which are instantly absorbed and do not require intensive work of the stomach.

Provided there are no complaints about health, the patient is allowed vegetables and fruits. They are easily digestible. To make the dishes easier to digest, it is recommended to serve them grated or pureed. Plant products are included in the menu if they do not contain a lot of acids and fiber that makes it difficult to break down.

The organization of nutrition during gastritis is affected by the acidity of the stomach. Increased rates are a reason to limit the consumption of plant foods. Only grated sweet apples and bananas are allowed.

With normal and reduced acid secretion, the diet is significantly expanded. Pears, peaches, apricots, oranges and other fruits and berries appear on the menu. However, they are first peeled. The dense shell of the fruit is difficult to split. In response to its entry into the stomach, increased production of enzymes begins, acidity increases, and inflammation intensifies.

The benefits of melon for the female body

Folic acid, which this product is rich in, facilitates menopause. Silicon improves the condition of the dermis: helps get rid of rashes, irritation, smoothes out shallow wrinkles, evens out color. The vegetable also saturates the skin with moisture. A-antioxidants also bring benefits - they make the skin elastic and prevent stretch marks.

The effect of melon pulp on the gastric mucosa and intestines

Yellow pumpkin is a controversial product for gastritis. On the one hand, it is rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements. However, the high content of fiber and dietary fiber makes digestion difficult. To break down such a complex product, the pancreas begins to intensify the production of digestive enzymes.

An increase in the concentration of hydrochloric acid leads to a number of negative consequences:

• increases stomach acidity;
• increased production of hydrochloric acid gradually corrodes the walls of the stomach;
• Long stay of melon in the stomach causes fermentation and bloating.

On a note! Although melon increases the acidity of gastric juice, the product itself is considered alkaline. Yellow pumpkin pulp has a high pH level. When consumed in doses, melon improves the functioning of the stomach and intestines and has a mild diuretic effect.

How melon will ultimately affect the stomach depends on the patient's condition. In case of superficial tissue damage or during a period of stable remission, it is allowed to consume melon in moderation. In acute cases of the disease, melon pulp is contraindicated.

What are the benefits of melon for a pregnant woman?

Here are the benefits of this vegetable for the expectant mother and her baby:

• Increases hemoglobin in the blood. It is responsible for supplying the fetus with oxygen inside the womb;
• Activates gastrointestinal peristalsis, which helps the mother’s body promptly remove unnecessary substances and avoid constipation;
• Helps remove excess water from the body of the expectant mother, which leads to a reduction in swelling.

Despite the positive properties of melon, doctors do not recommend consuming the vegetable in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. The fact is that increased intestinal motility can increase the tone of the uterus. And this is fraught with the likelihood of miscarriage (in the early months) or premature birth (in the final trimester).

general characteristics

Content:

• general characteristics
• Benefits and harm to the body
• Nutritional value
• Benefits and harm to the body
• Possible dangers
• Melon in cooking
• Melon: the most popular types
• How to choose the right melon
• Interesting Facts

Melon is an edible oval-shaped fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family. Today it is grown almost all over the world, but it comes from temperate and tropical latitudes. Melon copes well with thirst and contains almost no calories. Its edible part is the crumb from which the seeds are removed. In this way it resembles a watermelon. But while watermelon is a huge berry, melon is biologically a vegetable [1].

Melons have been known since ancient times. Historical finds indicate that this fruit was grown by the ancient Egyptians on the banks of the Nile. In Rus' they learned about this culture in the 15th century and immediately included it among their favorite sweets.

And already in those days, doctors used it to treat rheumatism and kidney diseases, as well as against worms and tuberculosis.

Beneficial properties of melon juice

The juice obtained from the vegetable is not only very tasty, but also healthy. It perfectly quenches thirst and has a positive effect on the human body:

• Helps the kidneys function better;
• Removes harmful substances formed as a result of chemotherapy. This is especially true for people suffering from cancer;
• Has a diuretic effect;
• Relieves joint pain.

Melon juice is especially useful for older people. Regular consumption helps maintain good memory, concentration, and has a general rejuvenating effect on the body.

Let us note one point: the juice is made not only from the pulp of the fruit, but also from the shell. This drink has a powerful anti-stress effect.

How to choose the right melon

As soon as the first melons appear on the markets, the desire to buy this juicy and sweet fruit immediately arises. But in order not to make a bad choice, it’s worth remembering a few rules:

1. Look carefully at the shell of the fruit: there should be no signs of mold, dark or small white spots or cracks.
2. Ripe and juicy fruits are always a little heavier than they might seem at first glance.
3. A ripe melon should have a characteristic fruity smell in the stem area. If the fruit was cut green, the sweet aroma will be absent. Although the intensity and sweetness of the smell also depend on the variety of melon.
4. Press the ball of your finger into the melon. If the fruit is immature, this will prove to be a difficult task. The pulp of a sweet melon will easily bend under your finger and then return to its original form.

Important:

1. You should not buy overripe melons - they have a bad taste. You can recognize an overripe fruit by the dark rim around the stem.
2. An unripe melon can ripen on its own in 1–5 days in a warm place (for example, on a kitchen windowsill).
3. Melons are best stored at temperatures up to 5 degrees [12], but their flavor is best developed at room temperature.

Are melon seeds healthy?

The seeds of the vegetable contain minerals (magnesium, potassium, sodium), as well as B vitamins. Consumption of melon seeds helps to activate the following processes:

• Removal of waste and toxins;
• Normalization of cholesterol, prevention of plaque formation;
• Improving potency;
• Prevention of prostate diseases;
• Strengthening the effect of drugs;
• Improved metabolism.

These positive properties have made melon seeds a popular traditional medicine.

Is it possible to eat melon with gastritis?

One of the common reasons why the stomach hurts after melon is the onset of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organ. There should be no unpleasant sensations from pumpkin in this condition and chronic form of the pathology.

However, the onset of inflammation is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal diseases (erosion, ulcers, etc.). Melon with gastritis can result in a deterioration in health. Therefore, before trying a piece, it is better to consult a gastroenterologist.

In chronic form

If the patient is not bothered by defecation problems and heaviness in the stomach for a long time, he is allowed to eat melon in moderation. In addition to puree, pulp, peeled from crusts, may periodically appear in the diet.

On a note! People with gastritis should grab 2 centimeters of pulp along with the crust. It is too dense and contains a lot of nitrates, which are always used in the industrial cultivation of melons.

A gastroenterologist decides whether it is possible to eat melon with chronic gastritis. During the standard course of the disease, the amount of digestive enzymes decreases. As a result, poorly digested pieces of food enter the intestines, causing a feeling of heaviness. Eating melon and other fruits and vegetables stimulates the production of gastric juice, which naturally normalizes the gastrointestinal tract.

During the period of exacerbation

If gastritis worsens, you shouldn’t even think about whether you can eat melon. In case of relapse, juicy melon increases inflammation of the mucous membrane. The cause of pain is the increased production of hydrochloric acid, which corrodes the walls of the stomach.

What to do if your stomach hurts after eating melon depends on the degree of tissue damage. In the least advanced cases, herbal decoctions and porridges that envelop the stomach will help relieve pain. To avoid complications, it is better to consult a gastroenterologist. He will prescribe the correct therapy and select the appropriate medications.

In the presence of erosions

With erosive gastritis, defects appear on the mucous epithelium. Failure to comply with the diet leads to an increase in their area and the appearance of ulcers. In such an inflamed state, the digestive system requires careful treatment, so whether it is possible to eat fresh melon with erosive gastritis is decided by the doctor.

The product is not a prohibited food. However, fiber that is difficult to digest lingers in the stomach for a long time. Increased secretion of digestive enzymes leads to stomach pain after eating melon. At the same time, the yellow pumpkin itself contains substances that accelerate wound healing and relieve inflammation. Therefore, melon is allowed on the menu, but in limited quantities.

With low acidity

Chronic gastritis and constant adherence to a strict diet lead to the fact that it becomes more difficult for the organs of the digestive system to process regular food. The production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach decreases. As a result, food, without having time to digest, enters the intestines, causing problems with bowel movements.

If you have gastritis, you can eat melon if it is accompanied by low acidity. It, like other fresh plant foods, requires a lot of energy to digest. In response to such a load, the stomach and pancreas begin to produce a standard amount of enzymes, bringing acidity back to normal. However, most gastroenterologists prohibit eating melon if the patient has low acidity.

Melon pulp, rich in sugars and fiber, activates fermentation processes in the gastrointestinal tract. They negatively affect the condition of inflamed organs. Therefore, when introducing melon into your diet, you need to listen to the body’s reaction to a complex treat.

With increased acidity

For gastritis with high acidity, melon also acts in two ways. The juicy, fiber-rich pulp increases the acidity of gastric juice. Prolonged action of hydrochloric acid increases tissue inflammation.

Along with this, yellow pumpkin also has a beneficial effect. The substances it contains stimulate intestinal motility. As a result, constipation is eliminated, which often affects patients with gastritis with high acidity. Therefore, they are allowed to eat puree and fresh slices of ripe fruits.

Standards for consuming melons and melons in the presence of diseases

Even during the period of remission, you need to consume melon according to certain rules. Pumpkin is eaten without peel. The standard safe daily intake is 100 -150 grams (which roughly corresponds to 2-3 slices of fruit).

Permitted dosages change under the influence of a number of factors:

• severity of symptoms;
• features of gastritis;
• the presence of other serious pathologies;
• individual intolerance to melon or allergy to ragweed;
• type of prescribed diet.

If melon is introduced into the menu of a child suffering from gastritis, the standard norm is reduced to 50 grams. The inflamed lining of their stomach is more sensitive to the action of digestive enzymes.

Sweet melon should appear on the menu of a patient with gastritis in stages. Start with a small piece per day, gradually increasing the amount to the permitted norm. If unpleasant symptoms appear during this process, stop eating yellow pumpkin.

Such signals from the body include:

• burning sensation in the stomach;
• increased pain;
• flatulence;
• heaviness in the stomach.

On a note! The appearance of gastrointestinal pathologies accompanying gastritis (for example, with stomach and duodenal ulcers) is a reason to exclude melon from the diet. It complicates the digestion process and increases acidity, which negatively affects the condition of the damaged mucous membrane. Whether patients with stomach ulcers can include melon in their diet depends on how the fruit affects the patient’s well-being.

Prevention

If you want to calmly enjoy your favorite fruits without thinking about possible harm, then you need to prevent gastritis from occurring. The best precaution is proper prevention of this disease. Here is an easy set of rules that you should never do if you are worried about the appearance of gastritis:

• eat fatty, spicy foods;
• smoke;
• drinking alcohol;
• eat at constantly different times;
• eat a lot and rarely;
• eating spoiled or dirty food.

In what form is it better to eat pumpkin for gastrointestinal diseases?

Melon for gastritis is consumed fresh and baked. The hard peel and seeds are removed. Their sharp edges will damage sensitive tissues. For the same reason, it is not advisable to eat dried fruits from yellow pumpkin.

Best ways to serve the product:

• fresh, sliced ​​pulp;
• juice;
• puree;
• smoothie;
• grated pieces.

Melon does not combine well with other foods. Its combinations with the following ingredients are unacceptable:

• eggs;
• fermented milk and dairy products;
• alcohol;
• bakery products;
• meat;
• fish.

Dishes in which the melon is doused with honey or jam will result in indigestion. It’s better not to combine it with anything at all. There should be 2-3 hours between the main meal and the consumption of melon.

Eating melon pulp on an empty stomach will aggravate the symptoms of gastritis and increase acidity. Eating yellow pumpkin before bed will also cause problems. Pieces that do not have time to break down in the stomach and high concentrations of sugars will cause bloating.

On a note! Melon pulp often contains high levels of nitrates. Strong green tea or aspirin will help neutralize their effect.