If you are a melon lover, surely one of the melon varieties that you have consumed at least once the time is cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe also known as sweet melon, is a melon variety of muskmelon. Cantaloupe is mainly consumed fresh, and in some parts of the world is also served together with prosciutto.
Due to its high amount of water (about 90%), cantaloupe is consumed during the hot days of summer as a means of refreshing.
Eating healthy and following a diet that guarantees you all the vitamins and minerals is fundamental.
Especially if you are following particular diet requirements as a low potassium diet, you want to avoid fruits and vegetables rich in potassium.
But, is the case for the cantaloupe melon? Does cantaloupe melon contain potassium?
The potassium content of cantaloupe is high, and people that have to respect specific diets, like kidney-friendly diets, should avoid consuming it in large quantities.
Does cantaloupe have a lot of potassium?
The potassium amount of fruits and vegetables will be high or not depending mainly on the amount of potassium you have to respect.
It is a general rule of thumb to consider foods higher than 200mg per 100g high in potassium, and in the case of cantaloupe, we can notice that it is very high.
Assuming the correct amount of potassium is a fundamental task that each of us should take care of.
Low potassium in the blood, also known as Hypokalemia, can be dangerous. Having low potassium in the blood can result in muscle weakness, cramps, and not regular heartbeats.
Recent studies have shown that the average potassium intake daily is fixed to 4,700mg per day for a male over 18 years old. In the case of cantaloupe, we can say that it doesn’t contain too much potassium since other types of foods are higher than it, such as bananas, which contain 358 mg of potassium per 100g.
Watermelon and cantaloupe Differences in potassium
Cantaloupe is 138% higher in potassium than a serving of 100g of watermelon.
Both fruits are used mainly during the summer, especially for refreshing and hydrating.
People affected by kidney disease are usually recommended to consume fruits and vegetables with lower potassium, and choosing the watermelon will result in a minor alteration in potassium content.
What is higher in potassium banana or cantaloupe?
Both fruits are rich in potassium, but assuming 100g of banana will result in a greater intake quantity of potassium than a cantaloupe.
Is cantaloupe good for kidneys?
The potassium content of cantaloupe is pretty high, and people suffering from kidney failure should limit the intake of foods rich in potassium.
Anyway, the potassium intake is subjective, and it should be determined after an in-depth visit made by your renal dietician.
High potassium levels in the blood ( also known as Hyperkalemia) are dangerous for people affected by chronic kidney disease. It is the kidneys’ job to filter the potassium and expel the high amount of it through urine. But in the case of people with kidney failure, the task of removing the excess amount of potassium may not be adequately done with side effects on the person’s health.
Is cantaloupe healthy?
Cantaloupe contains mostly water ( about 90%), and one cup of fresh cantaloupe contains 144 calories. It is rich in fiber, and it has zero fat and cholesterol.
Cantaloupe has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. They contain 2 essential phytochemicals, cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin C, considered very efficient to reduce inflammation.
Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A and alpha and beta-carotene. Thanks to this high amount of vitamin A, the cantaloupe will ensure a healthy vision and good eyesight, helping to maintain healthy mucous membranes and support immune function.
Final thoughts
Cantaloupe is a fruit rich in potassium, and people affected by chronic kidney disease should limit its intake. It is also essential to consider that there are fruits that are richer in potassium than cantaloupe. If you have to follow a low potassium diet, you should not integrate it or you can only consume it in small amounts.