Olidhealth.com – The social media universe has been shocked by the cuteness of this new plant. Actually, cucamelon has been known since Aztec times, but recently people know about this fruit because the appearance of this fruit is quite attractive. However, common folk does not know about the health benefits of cucamelon. This fruit has a myriad of benefits to improve your health. Some experts said that cucamelon could be considered a superfood. For that reason, we overview the nutrients contained in this fruit and its health benefits to maintain our health. Before that, let’s find out what a cucamelon fruit really is.
What is Cucamelon
Cucamelon or botanical name called Melothria scabra is a vine plant that has similarities with watermelon and cucumber. It is native in southeast America and Mexico. in its regional place, cucamelon goes by several names including Mexican sour cucumber, Mexican miniature watermelon, mouse melon, and pepquinos [1].
This plant itself has a height of 2-3 meters and the fruit is round to oval shapes. Cucamelons are approximately 2-4 cm in diameter and 1-2 cm in width. when it’s ripe, it has a green color with a faint white shaggy stripe. The flesh has full of seed if overripe. Eat this fruit that has a mildly sweet taste like melon mixed with a faint sour flavor like cucumber.
There are also variants of Melothria species that have similar traits to cucumber. Melothria pendula or known as creeping cucumber is native in Southeast America and used to serve as prickles [2].
Studies suggest that the health benefit of cucamelon has been demonstrated for treating variants of the disease. However, it still has little information about cucamelon in specific interest. For this matter, We break down cucamelon nutrition data which may have benefits in certain prospective.
Nutrition in Cucamelon
Cucamelon can be nominated as a superfood since have high nutrition and fiber. However, there a little information about the detailed nutrition of cucamelon. The expert believes that cucamelon have high in fiber. It also has nutrition such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and essential minerals like potassium. Lycopene and beta-carotene compound are also present in cucamelon as active antioxidants.
Some research found that cucamelon contain essential compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids [3]. Cucamelon might have nutritionally similar to cucumbers because they belong to the same species. It is possible are still nutrients in cucamelon that have not been identified since research on cucamelon content is still limited.
May Help Maintain or Lower Your Blood Pressure
Hypertension can be troublesome if don’t treat well. High pressured blood can narrow blood vessels. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems such as coronary heart disease or even heart failure. To overcome this problem, Cucamelon may have a solution to fix that.
Cucamelon has high antioxidant properties such as vitamin C and flavonoids which may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease [4] [5]. Vitamin K present in cucamelon has the benefit to maintain blood pressure by preventing built-up minerals in the bloodstream. Cucamelon also has minerals like potassium which helps maintain heart rate [6].
Essential compounds in cucamelon also may help reduce blood pressure. However, it still needs further research for its benefit in hypertension.
Boosting Your Immune System
Your body needs a bodyguard to maintain its function work properly. The liver produces an antioxidant called glutathione compound to protect your body. The main function of antioxidants is to protect cells against free radical scavengers. It also can help detox malicious substances in your body and improve your immune system. However, the body needs antioxidants from food to enhance the immune system. Cucamelon can be an option as antioxidant-rich food.
Cucamelon has rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and betacarotene. According to the experts, lycopene and betacarotene can reduce oxidative stress which can damage cells [7]. Vitamin C and flavonoid compounds in cucamelon also can serve as an antioxidant agent.
There are also foods rich in antioxidants agents other than cucamelon such as berries, citrus fruit, etc. In further research, some antioxidant compounds could have anti-cancer properties to prevent the development of various diseases.
Control Your Blood Sugar Level
Nutrients in cucamelon such as vitamin K, vitamin C, and flavonoids may have the benefit to maintain or lowering blood sugar levels. Vitamin K doesn’t affect blood sugar levels directly. However, some studies suggest that vitamin K can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin C in cucamelon serves as an antioxidant agent which can lower the risk of complications caused by diabetes and may reduce sugar in your blood. According to the expert, flavonoids can keep blood sugar levels in several ways such as helping regulate blood sugar metabolism and stimulating hepatic enzyme activity [8].
Although its nutrient can help reduce blood sugar, the fiber content in cucamelon also contributes to maintaining blood sugar. Fiber can slower carbohydrate absorption in the guts and cut off sugar intake. Food with high fiber like fresh vegetables can lower blood sugar levels such as carrot, lettuce, spinach, asparagus, mushroom, etc. Food with a low glycemic index is good to maintain or reduce blood sugar levels.
Help Maintain Your Cholesterol Level
Cholesterol levels can be different among people depending on their dietary routine. unbalance bad and good cholesterol levels can lead to heart-related disease. High blood pressure is also usually related to cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Maintaining cholesterol levels can be achieved by consuming cucamelon.
An essential compound in cucamelon such as flavonoid and lycopene can improve good cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Some studies found that lycopene can lower bad cholesterol in the blood vessel [9]. Vitamin E in cucamelon may have benefits to maintain your cholesterol level. Studies suggest that vitamin E may lower the risk of coronary disease [10].
Cucamelon also has antioxidant agents like vitamin C that can reduce bad cholesterol levels. Based on some research, vitamin C has a role in regulating cholesterol metabolism. Vitamin C deficiency can affect cholesterol synthesis. However, the evidence is still questionable
May Enhance Your Cognitive Function
You can take cucamelon as your variant healthy meal since it can improve your brain function. Lycopene in this fruit may contribute to a lower risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s [11]. Cucamelon also has beta-carotene that has antioxidant properties. As reported by experts, beta-carotene compounds may have the benefit of preserving memory and protecting against cognitive decline [12]. However, this report needs further research to prove its benefit for improving cognitive function
Cucamelon May Improve Skin Health
Cucamelon may have benefits for improving skin health because it has vitamin K which can accelerate the formation of blood clots. According to experts, vitamin K can also strengthen the cell walls in the epidermis layer.
The outer layer of skin can be susceptible to scratches from physical activity. Open wounds induce the formation of blood clots to block and prevent unknown substances or harmful bacteria from infiltrating the body. The vitamin K in cucamelon might contribute to speeding up wound healing on the skin. However, we still need further research to describe the effect of cucamelon on skin health. For additional information, vitamin K deficiency can cause thinning of the skin layer that makes people bleed and bruise easily [13].
Another benefit of cucamelon fruit is its vitamin E content. Based on the experts, vitamin E has photoprotective properties to reduce UV radiation caused by sunlight. However, the amount of vitamin E in cucamelon is relatively low.
Good To Maintain Eyes Health
Maintaining eye health is very important as an asset for a later age. To preserve eye healthy, nutrients such as vitamin A and antioxidant compounds are needed for additional protection against free radicals or malicious substances.
Cucamelon has vitamin C and beta-carotene compounds which are good for eye health. Your body can remake beta-carotene to vitamin A and use it to reduce oxidative stress in your eyes. Some studies suggest that vitamin C also can lower the risk of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and prevent cataract development [14].
May Promote Your Bone Health
Cucamelon might have benefits for your bone health since it has vitamin K to help bone metabolism. Vitamin K contributes to regulating calcium metabolism in bone tissue [15]. Vitamin K in cucamelon could promote bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, the amount of vitamin K in cucamelon is still dubious since there are few studies about cucamelon nutrition.
May Improve Your Digestive System
The digestive system health can be prone to junk food with high saturated fat such as french fries and fried food. Excessive saturated fat can decrease good microbe in your gut. Cucamelon have high fiber to help maintain intestine health. The fiber in food also can improve gut function and reduce saturated fat absorption. Moreover, it can help remove toxins in the large intestine along with feces.
Cucamelon also has high watery content which can treat people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can be a healthy food choice for you to control acid reflux. However, the sour taste in cucamelon might have the opposite effect for some people with acid reflux disease. Pickled cucamelons may be bad for acid reflux. We recommend eating this fruit fresh without processing it first to maintain its properties.
Conclusion
The increasing popularity of cucamelon makes us curious about its properties that may be beneficial for our bodies. This nutritious fruit has benefits to keep our body stay healthy besides its unique characteristic. Cucamelon has health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, maintaining cholesterol level and eyes health, and promoting bone and tooth health. The health benefit of cucamelon
Notes: Although we provide information about the benefits of cucamelon, the messages in this article should not be used as a reference to treat a disease. There is still a lack of research about the benefit of cucamelon and need further information for specific diseases or disorders. We hope this article can help you to provide facts about the benefits of cucamelon for health.
Reference
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melothria_scabra – Cucamelon in general
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melothria_pendula – Variant of cucamelon
[3] http://journal.umpalangkaraya.ac.id/index.php/bjop/article/view/2890/2227 – Nutrition compound within cuca melon (Melothria scabra)
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22492364/ – Vitamin C for lowering blood pressure
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26491142/ – Flavonoid for controlling blood pressure
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6360869/ – Potassium in regulating blood pressure
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3942711/ – General carotenoid benefit for immune and health
[8] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337283215 – Melothria Scabra for diabetic treatment
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK81708/ – Lycopene compound reducing LHD
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3250520/ – Vitamin E effect on hypercholesterolemia
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6558668/ – Lycopene effect on cognitive function in general
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769610/ – Beta-carotene for reducing cognitive decline
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6533928/ – Topical Vit K application for healing skin wound
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523787/ – Natural vitamin source for treating AMD
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5726210/ – Vitamin K for bone health