Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud.) is often, incorrectly, referred to interchangeably as Muskmelon. Muskmelons have been masquerading as cantaloupes in the United States for many years.
True cantaloupes are not netted, have deep grooves, a hard warty rind, and orange or green flesh. These are grown only in Europe where the population easily makes the distinction between muskmelons and cantaloupes. Muskmelons that most Americans call cantaloupes have a distinct netted or webbed rind.
This botanical group, however, includes honeydew, crenshaw, Persian, casaba and other 'mixed melons.
When Moses led the Hebrew people into the desert where they wandered for 40 years, one of the foods they craved was melons, possibly a variety of cantaloupe. In Numbers 11:5 the Hebrews remembered, "the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons."
The bright orange color of cantaloupes is a dead giveaway that cantaloupe is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene.
Cantaloupe is also high in vitamin C, and a good source of potassium and folate.
Medieval alchemists claimed that melons "promoted blood moderately, and suited phlegmatic and bilious temperaments." It was said that they relieved "the pain of calculi and cleansed the skin, but caused flux from the belly which could be treated with syrup of vinegar."
Health Benefits - A Chinese herbal claims that sweet melons cool fevers, moisten the lungs, and benefit the urine. In addition, the seeds will clear phlegm and benefit the intestines.
For a toothache caused by wind and heat, take six grams of melon skin, add water and steam till cooked. When cool, use as a mouth rinse.
With their very high beta carotene content, cantaloupes rank high as an anti carcinogenic food.
Abundant in potassium, cantaloupes may be beneficial for those with high blood pressure. Because of their high water content, they serve as a diuretic.
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Fruits - Cantaloupes and Nutrition.