Egusi / melon seeds!
What exactly are these seeds? I have heard a lot of myth about melon seeds.
So many people believe egusi seeds do not have good health benefits.
Oh yes! But they do have.
Health practitioners' take
A good number of health practitioners have advised cardiovascular patients to discontinue the consumption of egusi soup and meals prepared with melon seeds.
Solely because, they presumed that the large amount of oil in melon seeds is harmful to heart and overall health.
One of my correspondences sometimes ago told me that her doctor once listed melon soup among the foods she should abstained from when she had increased level of LDLP cholesterol.
What is melon seed?
Melon seed is a family of Benincaseae which can be cultivated in many parts of the world. It is called egusi in eastern Nigeria.
Melon fruit is not normally consumed may be due to it’s irritating and bitter taste but the seeds when dried and milled is a staple ingredient for preparing foods especially stew and soup.
Uses of egusi
Egusi soup - a popular and mouthwatering delicacy in southeastern Nigeria can be consumed with fufu, Semo and pounded yam.
Nutritional content of egusi
Protein – 28.3%
Fat – 52%
Linoleic–59 to 63%
Oleic– 16%
Carbohydrates –8.2%
Fibre –2.7%
Cholesterol– Nil
Loads of vitamins and minerals
Health benefits of egusi/melon seeds
Promote digestion
Do you know melon seeds are loaded with fibre which aids digestion alongside vitamin B1 (thiamine)? Hence, eating egusi soup (melon seeds) facilities bowel movement and prevent constipation.
It's time to stop bingeing on unhealthy foods. Opt for healthy diet.
Antiinflammatory benefits
Inflammation is abnormal swelling of any part of the body be it internal or external body parts. Inflammation sometimes occurs as a result of oxidation and infectious illnesses.
Research carried on rat, showed that methanol in egusi is anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory in nature. This methanol was found to be active against serotonin, Carrageenan and prostaglandins E1 induced paw oedema, in rat.
Dermatological benefits
The tocopherol (vitamin E) content of egusi positions it well as a good medicine for skin. It nourishes and smoothens the skin. Most importantly, it delays ageing, leaving you ever young.
Melon seeds is high in riboflavin (vitamin B12) and niacin. Already, you know egusi contain good heathy oil. This oil is usually extracted and used by dermatologist for making cosmetic products.
What are you waiting for? If you have a lot of egusi seeds which you don't know how to put into good use. Start extracting the oil for sale.
In addition, researchers recommended that fruits of egusi can be mashed and mixed with water. This mixture could be employed in treating boils, pimples and carbuncles.
Antiarthritic benefits
Egusi contains phytochemicals that promote overall health. Flavonoid is one of such phytochemicals which reduces the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis - the usual stiffness, swelling and deformities of joints and ligaments.
Antibacterial benefits
Egusi contains antibacterial ingredients such as tannin, flavonoid and phenol. Studies showed that extracts of egusi seeds especially the leaves and fruits can serve as cure to some ailments caused by bacteria.
Reduce blood sugar
Studies on Iranian diabetic patients showed egusi fruit capsule can reduce HbA1C and fasting blood sugar after two months. In addition, research carried on mice, showed egusi seed oil is effective in reducing the insulin resistance, the main cause of type type 2 diabetes.
Reduce bad fats
Do you know, melon seeds is rich in healthy fats and has no cholesterol? Unlike what most people have told you.
The consumption of egusi rich foods would improve the kind of fats and triglycerides in your body.
So you see, it's time to start enjoying your meals knowing fully well that those seeds a good for a healthy life.
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