Overview of Melon Seeds (Health Benefits to Human)

Welcome to my page, friends... it is another amazing time to share with us one of our commonly used seeds in our local soups (recipes). Let's talk about the MELON SEEDS. This is a household name popularly known as EGUSI; the origin of our favourite egusi soup.

My inspiration to share about this seed came from my recent market review to purchase for home-use quantities. I remembered when we bought this seed for NGN100 per cup, which is about $0.06 or 0.44 Steem, but this isn't anymore. The shocking prices of melon seeds call for concern as inflationary concerns have dealt a real blow to this sector.

A paint full of this item now goes for about NGN12,000 (53 steem/$8) which is about NGN800 per cup (3.5 steem) ulinke the 0.44 steem which this was previously purchased. Anyway, does this stop the consumption and culinary effect that melon seeds have? We will get to know.

Melon seeds come from the Cucurbitaceae family and have different species. This is a seed that is widely grown and found within the tropical regions, especially in West African regions. Nigeria and Ghana may not be exempt from the widespread use of this seed.

Melons are grown and harvested when ripe, dried, and then ground into powder form for various delicacies. Our ever-trending egusi soup, which is prepared from these seeds, still represents a greater culinary value on occasions. Not forgetting our locally prepared stew with egusi and healthy snacks when roasted and consumed in seed form.

Our famous egusi seeds not only satisfy our culinary purposes but also are packed with various health benefits. Let's look at some of the nutritional benefits.

Rich in protein:

Vegetarians find this palatable for consumption due to its high protein content.

Rich in healthy Fats:

The human body is best with unsaturated fats. This is heart-friendly, hence, melon seeds are a pure source of this nutrient. This helps in supporting heart health through lowering cholesterol levels (LDL) and increasing HDL.

Rich in Vitamins & Minerals:

Melon seeds are very rich in some vitamins and minerals that interest some of us. It is rich in vitamins A, B, and E. Some of these vitamins help enhance both skin texture and youthful appearance.

Most interestingly, they contain minerals that seem to be ideal for persons with blood pressure concerns. Aside from Zinc, melon seeds contain Magnesium and Potassium, which are veritable ingredients for individuals with high blood pressure.

Contains antioxidant properties:

These are properties that help fight oxidative stress in the human body. This helps to ameliorate completely or reduce incidences of chronic diseases.

Rich in Fibre (Weight Management):

The fibre contents in melon seeds promote satiety, which helps in controlling our appetite, which is a major determinant for weight control.

Before I conclude this overview, we must know that cultivating melon is quite rewarding both economically and nutritionally. While preparing the soil for cultivation. We should ensure we go for well-draining loamy soil types with a pH level of between 6.0 to 6.8

Soil temperature should be within 70ºF (21ºc) with about 1" deep and 30 to 40 inches apart during spacing. When planting is done, we have to ensure the soil is well watered and should always be moist but without being waterlogged.

Harvesting melon seeds generally occurs within 90days after planting. These bulbs should be harvested when they are ripe, and this can be detected when there is a change in the colour of the bulb. Let's remember to store in a cool and dry place for longer preservation.

Conclusion

Melon seed is indeed a nutritious food found within the tropical regions with various health benefits. The presence of Magnesium and Potassium makes it ideal for persons with blood pressure concerns. Having it as a staple food here makes it very easy and ideal to incorporate into our meals.