Calories In Cantaloupe
Facts about Calories in Cantaloupe
If you are looking for low calorie foods which contain high levels of nutrients, the calories in cantaloupe might be of interest to you. There are only 56 calories in cantaloupe in each serving, plus it is a great source of vitamins C and A, B6, B3, folate, dietary fiber and potassium. In fact, cantaloupe can be so good for you that it can even prevent lung damage from cigarettes.
It’s the high amount of vitamin A that helps repair lung tissue and a cantaloupe has 103.2% of the daily recommended level of vitamin A for adults. Cantaloupe contains a high amount of beta-carotene, which turns to vitamin A in the body. The vitamins and antioxidants also help to improve vision and in one study of 50,000 women, those who got the most vitamin A reduced their risk of cataracts by 39%.
The low calories in cantaloupe are not the only reason to eat this fruit. The high amount of vitamin C is 112.5% of the daily recommended amount for one adult. Vitamin C can support the immune system and protect the body from the cell damage caused by free radicals. Not only does vitamin C offer antioxidant protection, it decreases the risk of dying from stroke, heart disease and cancer.
We know that the B-complex vitamins in cantaloupe help our bodies process carbohydrates and that the fiber content assures the carbohydrates will be absorbed slowly by the body, stabilizing blood sugar levels. This is good news for weight watchers and people with diabetes.
Studies show that if you are a cigarette smoker, you may not care as much about the sugar or calories in cantaloupe as the amount of vitamin A. A research study at Kansas State University showed that if you eat foods rich in vitamin A, you could reduce your risk of emphysema and lung cancer. Researchers found that benzo(a)pyrene, one of the carcinogens in cigarette smoke causes a deficiency in vitamin A. Increasing your intake of vitamin A can rectify this problem and prevent the onset of emphysema and cancer.
Scientists believe that the reason some smokers can live well into their 90s is because of their vitamin A consumption. They even recommend that if you smoke or have a friend who smokes, start eating foods like cantaloupe which are rich in vitamin A.
Others who should starting eating cantaloupe and increasing their consumption of cantaloupe are people who are at risk for age-related macular degeneration. Eating three servings of fruit every day is a good way to prevent this eye disease. You can easily eat three servings of fruit every day by such methods as adding it to your cereal, adding it to yogurt or a salad.
Many people don’t know that cantaloupe has more potassium than a banana. Because calories in cantaloupe are so low, you won’t have to worry about eating too much. The fiber content will help you to know when you are full. This is also a benefit when it comes to weight loss. People who feel full do not eat as much each day.
Make sure to choose a cantaloupe which is as ripe as possible. It should not have a stem and should feel heavy. The skin should have a slight give to it when you press down on it. It should also have a nice sweet smell. Cantaloupes are among the many fruits that will continue to ripen after they have been picked. When a cantaloupe is fully ripe, it should be placed in the refrigerator.
Cantaloupe is one of the good foods. It has lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and the calories in cantaloupe are so few that it can go onto the diet plan of anyone who is trying to lose weight. So, the next time you pass a fresh, sweet-looking cantaloupe in the fruit section, test one out. These days they are available year-round.