Cantaloupe

A cantaloupe (also known as a muskmelon, rockmelon, sweet melon or spanspek or spelled "canteloupe", "cantalope" or "cantelope") is a type of fruit. It is a muskmelon that is probably related to the watermelon. There are two types of cantaloupe, European and North American. Cantaloupes range in size from 0.5 to 5.0 kilograms (1.1 to 11 lb).

Cantaloupe
Ripe North American cantaloupes (C. m. reticulatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Genus:	Cucumis
Species:	C. melo
Subspecies:	C. m. cantalupensis C. m. reticulatus
Trinomial name
Cucumis melo cantalupensis Cucumis melo reticulatus Naudin.

Types of cantaloupe

• The European cantaloupe is oblong with a light green skin.
• The North American cantaloupe is round with a thin light brown skin. The flesh of the fruit is firm, orange and sweet.

Nutrition

Cantaloupe melon

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	141 kJ (34 kcal)
Carbohydrates	8.16 g
- Sugars	7.86 g
- Dietary fiber	0.9 g
Fat	0.19 g
Protein	1.84 g
Water	90.15 g
Alcohol	0 mg
Caffeine	0 mg
Vitamin A equiv.	169 μg (19%)
- beta-carotene	2020 μg (19%)
Thiamine (Vit. B1)	0.041 mg (3%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)	0.019 mg (1%)
Niacin (Vit. B3)	0.734 mg (5%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.105 mg (2%)
Vitamin B6	0.072 mg (6%)
Folate (Vit. B9)	21 μg (5%)
Vitamin B12	0.00 μg (0%)
Vitamin C	36.7 mg (61%)
Vitamin E	0.05 mg (0%)
Vitamin K	2.5 μg (2%)
Calcium	9 mg (1%)
Iron	0.21 mg (2%)
Magnesium	12 mg (3%)
Phosphorus	15 mg (2%)
Zinc	0.18 mg (2%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database

Cantaloupes are a source of polyphenol antioxidants. These are chemicals which were thought to provide certain health benefits to the cardiovascular and immune systems by regulating the formation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a key chemical in promoting health of the endothelium and prevention of heart attacks. However, recent research has indicated they do not benefit the body. The body already has ways to deal with oxidation.

Cantaloupes also are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Dirty cantaloupes can spread bacteria. In 2011, 21 people died in the United States from cantaloupes having listeria bacteria. The bad cantaloupes were traced back from around the country to a single farm in Colorado.^[1]