Honeydew melon is a refreshing source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K, and it is about 90% water, making it one of the most hydrating fruits you can eat.
Wellness
This sweet, juicy fruit is a delicious and nutritious addition to your food repertoire. Here is what it brings to a balanced diet:
Hydration With around 90% water plus potassium, honeydew is a delicious way to stay hydrated on hot days.
Immune health One cup of honeydew provides about 30 mg of vitamin C, around two-thirds of an adult’s daily needs, which supports the normal function of your immune system.
Heart health Honeydew provides potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and is naturally fat-free and very low in sodium. Diets rich in fruit and vegetables are linked with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Brain health Honeydew provides folate and other B vitamins, which your brain needs to work normally. Low folate levels are linked with poorer brain health as we age, but no single food prevents Alzheimer’s disease; an overall healthy diet and lifestyle is what counts.
Eye health Honeydew contains small amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that help protect the eye from blue light.
Blood sugar Honeydew has a moderate glycaemic index but a low glycaemic load because it is mostly water, so a sensible serve fits well into a diabetes-friendly eating plan.
Digestion Honeydew provides a little fibre and lots of water, which together help keep you regular.
Pregnancy Honeydew provides folate, one of the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy, alongside the folic acid supplement your doctor will recommend.
Beauty
Healthy skin The vitamin C in honeydew is needed to make collagen, which keeps skin firm and elastic, and good hydration shows in your skin.
Weight management
Honeydew melon has only around 250 kJ (60 calories) and no fat in a one-cup serve. It is a wonderful alternative to sugary snacks and leaves you feeling refreshed and satisfied, with about 1.4 grams of fibre per cup.
Cooking with honeydew
They contain more nutrients when ripe and less when overripe, so they are best eaten in summer months or in warmer climates later in the season.
Honeydew melon can be eaten in its natural state or ingested as a juice.
It is a fantastic baby food too.
Honeydew melon cubes are the perfect companion fruit in mixed fruit salads. They also make a lovely side dish to a healthy breakfast .
Blend a batch of refreshing coconut yoghurt, cucumber and honeydew melon soup for a unique meal on a hot summer’s day, ultra refreshing.
A hot and sour melon spaghetti salad for a different approach with nuts added for protein or white fleshed meats such as fish or chicken.
You can also make a tantalizing honeydew melon ice cream, gelato, smoothie or sorbet with lemon myrtle for an Australian twist.
For a summer garden party mocktail, shake up a honeydew melon juice, mineral water, fresh peppermint and desert lime for a refreshing tipple.
“Honeydew, that’s the money melon.” ~The Simpsons
This article is general information about food and wellbeing, not medical advice. Please talk to your GP or a qualified health professional about any health condition, medication or major change to your diet.
