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There are many varieties of melons such as, honeydew, charentais, cantaloupe, galia and the more commonly known watermelon.

Mostly water, melons are a very nutritious and provide beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, bioflavonoids, and carotenoids which can help protect against cancer and heart disease. Melons also contain pectin, which is a soluble fibre. Pectin helps keep cholesterol under control.

A watermelon is also a great provider of lycopene. The lycopene is an antioxidant, which is believed to help lower the rates of prostate cancer.

Melons don’t ripen once they are picked, so the best way to tell that you have a ripe melon is to look at the stem area for a smooth slightly sunken scar. If the smooth scar is there, then the melon was ripe when it was picked and easily detached from the vine. If you’ve got part of the stem still there, then it was not fully ripened when picked.

Also a ripe watermelon, should rattle when you shake it, (because the seeds become loose as the fruit matures), and a ripe melon will have a deep intense fragrance. To get the best value from a watermelon, always buy melons whole.

Some vitamins especially vitamin C. diminish when exposed to the air, (some shops sell melons quartered or by half).

Orange varieties are the highest in beta-carotene.

Tags: melons, prostate cancer, beta-carotene