The benefits and harms of Melothria

Melothria — vine kind melothria. It belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. According to various versions of the homeland of this plant is different, but it is believed that she is in North America and Africa. Outwardly, it resembles a vine, and has several names, it's an African cucumber, mouse melon, etc.

Properties melothria

The plant itself is often used as a decorative element in gardens, but the fruits are used in cooking. The fruits are quite small, and coloring, and shaped like a watermelon, only reduced in several times. Their length is not more than 4 cm For the same taste melothria reminiscent of cucumber, it has a pretty interesting taste: in addition to the cucumber here it is possible to distinguish and melon, and also has a slight acidity.

This vegetable is considered a delicacy in our country and in our cities it is grown very rarely. However, by itself, this plant is pretty undemanding and it can be easy to grow in almost any area

Use melothria

The fruits of this plant contain a sufficient amount of fiber, therefore it is recommended that constant use. It not only positively affects the cardiovascular system and to fight the development of cancer, but also helps rid your body of excess bile and cholesterol.

Itself fiber also helps to maintain weight at a certain figure, because it can quickly saturate the body and to prevent a person to overeat. In addition, it helps remove toxins and "bad" cholesterol. Well, since the caloric content of the cucumber is low, then it can be used as a dietary vegetable. 100 g melothria contains only 15 kcal.

Quite effective to arrange fasting days, using food melothria. Because they taste identical to regular cucumbers, they could be used for the preparation of summer salads that are loved by many people. By the way, to cleanse the bowel and do not give weight to grow enough razgruzochnih 1-2 days a week. Simple salad recipe: melothria with tomatoes and/or red pepper. To fill this salad can be a yogurt (low fat or skim) or lemon juice.

It is known that melothria helps to rid the body of excess fluid, promoting its excretion from the body. And this is another advantage of fasting days, because in this way it is possible to withdraw the water, which in large quantities must be used when unloading. Not less effective is the property of and for those people who have the tendency to edema. It is noteworthy that if you use the product regularly, it is possible to normalize blood pressure.

Recommended melothria people with a tendency to constipation, arrhythmia and thyroid disease.

Application melothria

As has been said, melothria used in cooking sometimes as a substitute for the cucumber, and sometimes as a separate vegetable. Also, if desired, it can be used as a standalone product. Because of its cute appearance melothria can be used as decoration of various dishes.

The fruit of this plant is perfectly combined with vegetable, meat and fish products, exactly like an ordinary cucumber. In addition, that they can be consumed raw, they still pickled, and salted, obtaining delicious preparations for the winter.

Those who melothria grow in my garden (or the garden), the food can eat not only the fruit but the tubers. They taste slightly reminiscent of sweet potatoes.

Harm melothria

If a man has hyperacidity of gastric juice, ulcer or gastritis, this product is not recommended for use in fresh form, it is better to give preference to pickled or salted melothria.

For people who do not have such problems, it is recommended to use fresh fruit while they are young, but Mature to handle. But processed foods is better not to use those who have gastrointestinal disease, heart and blood vessels, liver, hypertension or atherosclerosis.

During pregnancy treated (salted/pickled) products to use is also not recommended.