Kiwano or horned melon is a fruit with bright orange skin and an edible lime green flesh. The name varies widely, depending on the region. Kiwano is commonly regarded as spiked melon, African horned cucumber, jelly melon, or blowfish fruit. Scientifically, the horned melon is known as Cucumis metuliferus. The fruit was originally grown in Subsaharan Africa. Today, kiwano is cultivated in the United States, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Chile, Italy, Australia, and Germany.

Health benefits of kiwano/horned melon

Kiwano is not the most pleasant fruit to eat. However, it is highly nutritious, motivating many people who eat it in one way or another. The fruit has many health benefits attributable to its rich nutritional profile.

Kiwano contains essential nutrients

Horned melon is a source of essential vitamins and minerals. The fruit has a high vitamin A and C content. Kiwano is also rich in B vitamins such as folate, niacin, and vitamin B6. It is a low-carb, low-fat fruit, implying that it is a good addition to different diet plans. For instance, it is a good addition to a low-carb weight loss diet. Kiwano also contains a slightly higher protein content when compared to most fruits. The fruit provides a wide variety of minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, and zinc.

Kiwano is packed with strong antioxidants

Kiwano provides the body with strong antioxidants that include zinc, lutein, and vitamins A and C. The horned melon seeds serve as a good source of vitamin E, which has strong antioxidant properties. Collectively, these antioxidants help alleviate oxidative stress and eliminate free radicals, preventing inflammation and cellular damage. As a result, kiwano melon contributes positively to disease prevention.

Kiwano improves blood sugar regulation

Horned melon has a low glycemic index, implying that it does not cause a sudden increase in blood sugar when consumed. Thus, this fruit is suitable for diabetics as part of a low glycemic diet. Additionally, kiwano contains high amounts of magnesium. Magnesium plays a direct and increasingly important role in glucose metabolism and insulin regulation.

Kiwano promotes red blood cell production

Kiwano improves red blood cell production due to its high iron content. Horned melon provides iron whose content accounts for 13 percent of the daily nutritional requirement. Iron is a key ingredient for the production of adequate and healthy red blood cells in the body. As a result, the body can supply adequate oxygenated blood to cells and tissue. Under normal circumstances, the absorption of non-heme iron found in kiwano is limited. However, the fruit contains vitamin C, which boosts iron absorption.

Kiwano improves and maintains heart health

Kiwano has nutrients that together confer protective properties against plaque formation in the coronary arteries. For instance, kiwano has high levels of potassium and magnesium. These minerals help reduce inflammation and prevent the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Kiwano improves hydration

Kiwano has a high water content that aids in hydration. It specifically has an 88 percent water content that leaves the body well-hydrated when eaten. Kiwano also contributes to electrolyte balance by providing sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, among minerals, in ionic form.

Kiwano improves skin and hair health

Kiwano contains nutrients that promote skin health and hair growth. For instance, vitamin C and water help eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, keeping the skin healthy. Kiwano also maintains better skin health by promoting collagen production. The antioxidants found in a kiwano fruit also relieve oxidative stress and keep the skin intact by inhibiting cellular-level damage.

Kiwano boosts mood and brain function

Kiwano nourishes the body with zinc and magnesium. These minerals play a key role in improving brain function and regulating mood. Thus, kiwano contributes to better mental health by reducing the risk of developing mood disorders that include depression.

Kiwano strengths bones and fosters their growth

Kiwano provides minerals that strengthen bones and improve growth. In particular, the fruit has vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, all of which help the body maintain bone strength. The minerals in a kiwano fruit also help in bone repair and growth. Thus, kiwano can help prevent bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Kiwano enhances immunity

Kiwano contains immune-boosting nutritional components. Vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and iron comprise some of the nutrients in a kiwano fruit with immune-boosting properties. Thus, these nutrients keep the immune system strong and enable the body to fight disease-causing or pathogenic microorganisms.

How to eat kiwano/horned melon

The easiest way to eat kiwano is to cut the fruit open and scoop the gelatinous lime green flesh and seeds with a spoon right from its rind. In some cases, people increase this fruit’s flavor by adding a small amount of sugar or salt. A horned melon’s pulp is sometimes added to fruit smoothies, ice cream, sauces, granola, yogurt, and dressings. Some people also eat bright orange rind because it is packed with dietary fiber and vitamin C. In this case, removing the spikes beforehand is highly recommended.

How does kiwano/horned melon taste?

Kiwano has a gelatinous or jelly-like flesh with a lot of edible seeds. The fruit is consumed as a snack or part of a salad. Its taste is a blend of banana and passion fruit. The taste may also be described as a mix of banana, lime, and cucumber. The flesh of the horned melon is sometimes sugary or salty, which considerably adds to its flavor.

Categories: Health and wellness

Tags: African horned cucumber, Blowfish fruit, Bright orange, Cucumis metuliferus, Green flesh, Health, Health Benefits, Horned melon, Jelly melon, Kiwano, lime green, Spiked melon, Vitamins and minerals