- You only need one serve per day as part of the recommended fruit intake and a healthy, balanced diet. Adding one serve (150 g) of a mixture of different melon types can provide bioactives that are linked to health benefits.
- Watermelon contains citrulline, which is a common supplement used by body builders to increase their “muscle pump”. This is because citrulline supports the production of nitric oxide, a compound which can increase blood flow to the muscles
- The seeds and rind also contain bioactives! The rind can be cooked into a stir-fry, and the seeds are being used by food scientists to turn it into oil and flour, reducing food waste while creating new food products.
- The orange pigment beta-carotene, found in rockmelons and orange honeydew melons, contributes to the colour of our skin.
- Melons have a low glycemic load, indicating that they have a low impact on your blood sugar after eating. A diet containing low glycemic load foods can help to support healthy blood sugar levels.
- The colour of melons changes throughout the growing process so that the ripe melons are the brightest, with the highest levels of many health-associated bioactive pigments. Nature is smart!
- At around 90% water, melons provide ½ cup water per serve, meaning that melons are great for hydration.
- Melons are thought to have originated in South and Central America but are now grown all over Australia.
- Melons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also contains pumpkin, zucchini, and cucumber.
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