Horned melon is a nutritious fruit belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. It is native to Africa and it has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes.

General information regarding horned melon

• Horned melon is also known as kiwano
• It has similar appearance and consistency with kiwi but it is not biologically related to kiwi
• Whereas, it is relatively more closer in evolutionary and nutritive term to zucchini and cucumber
• The outer layer of the skin is gold or orange in colour and the skin of the outer layer is covered with small spikes
• The inner portion of the fruit has gelatinous appearance like kiwi
• Seeds of horned melon also contain various important organic compounds and nutrients that make the fruit relatively healthier
• The roots and leaves of the plant are also used for numerous applications

Nutritional profile

• It contains lesser amount of carbohydrate
• It contains desirable amount of fibre
• It contains too some extent of proteins
• It also contains negligible amount of fats
• It does not provide enough calories on its oxidation as it contains lesser amount of carbohydrates and fats thus it is considered as low calorie food

• It is rich in moisture. It has seen that it contains about 88 to 89% of water
• It is loaded with several vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9
• It contains numerous trace elements as well, which include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, zinc and iron

Health benefits

Role on immunity

• Vitamin C, Vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium components of horned melon are accountable for strengthening the overall body’s immune system
• It helps to improve immunological responses and also increases body’s ability to fight against infections

Role on skeletal system

• Its high mineral contents especially calcium and phosphorus play vital role in strengthening bones
• It is associated with repairing bone damages and also promotes the growth and development of entire skeletal system
• Consumption of horned melon plays imperative role in decreasing the prevalence of osteoporosis

Role on digestive health

• Nutritional composition of horned melon especially its fibre content makes it an ideal food for gastrointestinal health as it plays important role in keeping the digestive system healthy
• Horned melon aids in digestion process
• It helps to improve colonic motility thus helps in promoting colonic health and significantly decreases the susceptibility of colon cancers

• It is also associated with enhancing bowel movement that ultimately helps to maintain regularity. Its fibre content is also responsible for preventing constipation as it helps to increase the softness and bulkiness of stool, which aids in easy defecation
• Its consumption is also considered as very effective for decreasing the prevalence of stomach cramping, gastric ulcer and bloating

Role on nervous system

• Horned melon has a relation with nervous system.  It has seen that its antioxidant activity as well as micronutrient components play vital role in protecting nerve cells from damages thus promotes their functionality
• Vitamin E component of horned melon is associated with slowing down the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• It also helps in boosting up cognitive functions and also helps to improve memory

Antioxidant activity

• It is not only a nutritious fruit but also it is a fruit with various antioxidants that play important role in reducing oxidative stress within body
• Oxidative reactions are considered as a normal part of human metabolism but excessive oxidative strain may interfere with cellular functions and also increases the susceptibility of inflammatory diseases thus it is better to consume antioxidant rich food like horned melon for minimizing these above sated potential damages

Role on mental health

• Individual suffer from stress or anxiety or depression should include horned melon in their diet as it helps to improve mental health
• It contains various important organic substances that are responsible for regulating the secretion and activity of stress hormones thus helps to keep the mind relaxed and calm

Role on vision

• Its Vitamin A content plays imperative role in boosting up eye health
• Its antioxidant activity is also associated with protecting the retina from oxidative damages, which ultimately promotes vision
• It has seen that consumption of horned melon is extremely effective for reducing the prevalence of age related macular degeneration

Role on metabolism

• It is associated with boosting up the overall metabolism of body
• Its zinc component is considered as the main substance that helps to promote metabolic process (both catabolic and anabolic process)
• It also helps in protein synthesis that ultimately helps to repair and re-synthesize cells and tissues

Role on skin

• It contains various nutrients that help to keep the skin healthy
• Its Vitamin E content exerts strong antioxidant activity that helps to protect the skin from oxidative damages
• Its moisture content and Vitamin C content are accountable for improving the elasticity of skin as they are related with collagen production

• Consumption of horned melon also helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation
• It helps to prevent aging as well
• It helps to make the skin soft and provides the skin a younger look too
• Its consumption is extremely beneficial for decreasing age spots and wrinkles

Disease preventive role of horned melon

Consumption of horned melon is associated with preventing various diseases, which include –

Diabetes mellitus

• It is a low glycemic food thus it is considered as an ideal food for diabetic patients as it does not cause a significant rise in blood sugar concentration after its consumption
• Magnesium component of horned melon plays imperative role in glucose metabolism thus helps to decrease the prevalence of hyperglycemia
• Its zinc component is also related with insulin synthesis as it acts as an important integral part of insulin hormone and it also helps to enhance insulin sensitivity that plays imperative role in decreasing blood sugar concentration
• It helps to improve the activity of insulin receptor, which also helps to manage diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases

• Its magnesium, potassium and fibre contents help to improve cardiac health and functionality
• It helps to protect the heart from oxidative and inflammatory damages, which significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease

• It also helps to prevent arterial plaque formation thus reduces the prevalence of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease
• It helps to prevent hypertension as well

Obesity

• It plays imperative role in preventing obesity
• Its fibre content, low carbohydrate content as well as low fat content make it an effective therapeutic substance for weight reduction

Dehydration

• It plays imperative role in hydrating the body
• It contains significant amount of moisture as well as electrolytes that help to prevent dehydration by replacing the losses of water and electrolytes occurred in body

Anemia

• It contains adequate amount of iron that helps in the synthesis of hemoglobin
• It is also associated with increasing the production of healthy red blood cells as a result decreases the prevalence of anemia

Risk factors

Unripe fruit contains bitter component, which may cause some health complications in some individual like headache, gastrointestinal disturbances and fever but these complications are not life threatening.

Chharang, H., Sharma, A. and Maheshwari, R.K., Incredible Benefits of Exotic Kiwano (Horned Melon) for Wellness, Vigour and Vitality.

Ezekaibeya, A.C., Nnenna, A.O. and Kenechukwu, O.C., 2020. Proximate, phytochemical and vitamin compositions of Cucumis metuliferus (Horned Melon) rind. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research, pp.40-50.

Ferrara, L., 2018. A fruit to discover: Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey Ex Naudin (Kiwano). Clin. Nutr. Metab, 1(1).

Owino, M.H., 2020. Agro-morphological and nutritional Characterization of horned melon Accessions from selected agro-ecological Zones in kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Embu).

Usman, J.G., Sodipo, O.A., Kwaghe, A. and Sandabe, U.K., 2015. Uses of cucumis metuliferus: A review. Cancer Biol, 5(1), pp.24-34.

Vieira, E.F., Grosso, C., Rodrigues, F., Moreira, M.M., Fernandes, V.C. and Delerue-Matos, C., 2020. Bioactive Compounds of Horned Melon (Cucumis Metuliferus E. Meyer ex Naudin). Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Vegetables and Legumes, pp.1-21.