Melons are part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family, which includes foods like pumpkins and cucumbers.
There are dozens of different types of melons that grow globally, including the gourd-like bitter melon from India and the sweet canary melon grown in Asia and Africa.
Most of the melons eaten in the U.S. are grown domestically, with watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew the most commonly consumed varieties.
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Melons are excellent sources of antioxidants, naturally occurring molecules that help scavenge harmful compounds in the body called free radicals.
Plant foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are all wonderful sources of antioxidants. Melons are no exception.
Each type of melon delivers a different antioxidant profile. Cantaloupe, for example, is a great source of beta-carotene, a 'provitamin' that gets converted into vitamin A in the body
Luckily melons are among the most hydrating fruits around, with varieties like cantaloupe and watermelon clocking in at 90% water by weight.
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