Melons: Something that Tastes Good is Also Good for You

With summer coming, it's a good idea to think about what to plant in your garden to help with planning your healthy life. Think about melons. They can help prevent birth defects, reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease and keep blood pressure low.

Researchers have found that melons contain a number of substances that are very good for your health. Both watermelons and muskmelons, which include honeydew, crenshaws, and a few other melons, provide folate, a B vitamin that has been shown to lower the risks of birth defects and heart disease. Melons also contain potassium, which helps to keep blood pressure at healthy levels. Because melons are low in calories and fat, they are the perfect food for people who are watching their weight.

Researchers have found that if woman of childbearing years consumed at least 400 micrograms of folate a day, the chance of brain and spinal cord birth defects could be cut in half or more. It's not only moms-to-be who should be making the most of melons. The same nutrient that helps protect against birth defects is also good for the heart. The body uses folate to control levels of a chemical in the blood called homocysteine. Too much of this chemical though can contribute to the artery-clogging process that leads to heart disease.
Finally, folate has been shown to reduce the risk of polyps, precancerous growths in the colon that sometimes progress to full-blown cancer.

Fiber is important for your digestive tract. The fiber in melons is called soluble fiber. It is very important for helping to keep the colon healthy. Getting more fiber can reduce the number of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and also the risk of colon cancer. All melons contain some fiber, but honeydews beat out watermelon. Half a honeydew has nearly 3 grams for fiber, 12 percent of the DV
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All melons, especially honeydew and crenshaws are good sources of potassium. Honeydew contains 1,355 milligrams of potassium, over a third of the DV which is 3,500 milligrams.