Do not throw away the melon seeds, they are a concentrate of benefits that you do not expect!

Discover all the benefits contained in melon seeds, considered a waste, but a source of many properties that you do not expect

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Discover the benefits contained in melon seeds, considered by all to be a waste, but a source of many properties that you do not expect. How to eat them to enhance their benefits

I melon seeds they represent food waste for all of us, but they are actually a nutrient-rich ingredient from beneficial properties for our body and can be counted among the so-called "seeds of health"

Let's see what melon seeds contain and how to consume them.

Properties of melon seeds

Il melosine (Cucumis melo) is an annual climbing plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, the same as pumpkin and watermelon, widely cultivated for its edible fruit.

The fruit of the melon is a peponide with a generally sweet pulp and, inside it is rich in edible seeds, often discarded as by-products but rich in nutrients and benefits.

I melon seeds in fact, they contain a good percentage of proteins, consisting mainly of glutamic acid, arginine and tryptophan, as well as various other bioactive compounds. Among these were found phenolic acids, flavonoids, tocopherol, phytoestrogens, volatile compounds and other molecules important for our well-being.

High in protein: Fill up on essential amino acids

I melon seeds they contain a high percentage of protein - from 15 to 27% depending on the variety - and are a good alternative source of essential amino acids.

Proteins are in fact composed of amino acids and those contained in melon seeds are rich in essential amino acids including tryptophan, leucine and phenylalanine as well as non-essential amino acids such as glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid.

Glutamic acid is able to improve intestinal function and immune system, while taking arginine seems to be able to help reduce body fat and increase muscle mass. Aspartic acid, on the other hand, is a precursor of essential amino acids such as methionine and lysine.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Melon seeds are rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among the phenolic acids present in melon seeds we find gallic acid and vanillic acid, compounds that boast properties inflammatory, antimutagen and antitumor.

Vanillic acid also has an antibacterial action, while hydroxybenzoic acid has antifungal and antimicrobial activities.

Flavonoids such as apigenin and other substances such as resveratrol are instead responsible forantioxidant activity, useful for combating oxidative stress.

Finally, melon seeds contain several volatile compounds, including esters and terpenes, responsible for the fruity and sweetish aroma.

The intake of these substances has a powerful antioxidant effect and is useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and various types of tumor.

How to eat melon seeds

To eat melon seeds it is necessary to clean them carefully by removing the filaments in which they are wrapped and washing it with water.

Sun dried melon seeds

Once cleaned, the seeds can be dried in the sun or in the dryer for a few days, and then store them in an airtight jar.

Roasted melon seeds

Alternatively it is possible toast the melon seeds over low heat for a few minutes after heating a tablespoon of oil in a pan. The roasted seeds are even tastier and can also be prepared by keeping the filaments that surround them. After roasting, a pinch of salt is added and the seeds are placed in a jar with a lid to preserve them.

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Melon seeds are consumed like healthy snack between meals or used to enrich salads, sandwiches, toast and other dishes.

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If they have not been salted, the seeds can also be added to yogurt, fruit salads or smoothies.