Melons are in season from May through September, so now’s a great time to shop for cantaloupe and honeydew. Both are delicious, hydrating fruits, but they have distinct nutritional profiles and some culinary differences. Both fruits are a nutritious addition to your diet, but there are some differences in their nutrient profile.
Here’s how they stack up per cup. Both cantaloupe and honeydew are low in calories and contain a range of nutrients, so either way, you can’t go wrong. Plus, both are rich in water, which can help you stay hydrated.
When you’re even mildly dehydrated, it can affect your mood, energy and performance. There’s also that staying well-hydrated can help you fend off chronic illnesses and live longer compared to those who may not be well-hydrated. A cup of either fruit has 5 ounces of water.
Most people don’t eat enough (or vegetables), and either choice would help you get more fruit in your diet and fill your body with essential nutrients. One of the standout features of cantaloupe is its high vitamin A content. A single cup provides 40% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A, primarily in the form of beta-carotene, which is essential for eye health and immune function.
Cantaloupe also provides about 65% of the daily value for vitamin C, an antioxidant needed for collagen synthesis and a healthy immune system. Both beta-carotene and vitamin C are antioxidants that protect against cellular damage caused by an imbalance between harmful free .