10 Surprising Benefits of Honeydew Melon - Healthline

Author: Cheryl

Jun. 05, 2025

10 Surprising Benefits of Honeydew Melon - Healthline

Honeydew melon supports your body from the inside out, including bone health, digestion, and skin health.

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Honeydew melon, or honeymelon, is a fruit that belongs to the melon species cucumis melo (muskmelon).

The sweet flesh of honeydew is typically light green, while its skin has a white-yellow tone. Its size and shape are similar to that of its relative, the cantaloupe.

Honeydew melon is available worldwide and can be eaten by itself or used in desserts, salads, snacks and soups.

Though its greatest appeal may be its flavor, honeydew is also nutritious and may provide several benefits.

Here are 10 surprising benefits of honeydew melon.

1. Rich in Nutrients

The diverse nutrient profile of honeydew is arguably its most valuable asset.

In fact, the various nutrients and plant compounds may be responsible for its many potential health benefits.

A 1-cup (177-gram) serving of honeydew melon provides (1):

  • Calories: 64
  • Carbs: 16 grams
  • Fiber: 1.4 grams
  • Protein: 1 gram
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Vitamin C: 53% of the
    reference daily intake (RDI)
  • Vitamin B6: 8% of the RDI
  • Folate: 8% of the RDI
  • Vitamin K: 6% of the RDI
  • Potassium: 12% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 4% of the RDI

In addition, the honeydew fruit and seeds also contain compounds with strong antioxidant capacity, including beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), phytoene, quercetin and caffeic acid (2).

Summary
Honeydew melon contains a wide variety of nutrients and plant compounds that
may be responsible for its many potential health benefits.

2. May Help Reduce Blood Pressure

In general, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure and heart disease (3).

More specifically, it’s well established that a low-sodium diet and an adequate potassium intake can positively influence your blood pressure regulation (4).

As honeydew melon is a low-sodium and potassium-rich fruit, it may help you maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

If you’re looking to increase your potassium intake, try adding honeydew to your diet. It’s a good source of potassium, with a 1-cup (177-gram) serving providing 12% of the RDI (1).

Summary Honeydew
melon may help reduce blood pressure due to its high potassium and low sodium
content.

3. Contains Nutrients Vital to Bone Health

Honeydew melon contains several nutrients that are vital for repairing and maintaining strong bones, including folate, vitamin K and magnesium.

In particular, the melon is a good source of folate — with 1 cup (177 grams) providing 8% of the RDI (1).

Folate is essential for the breakdown of homocysteine — elevated levels of which have been linked to reduced bone mineral density over time (5).

Though more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions on the relationship between folate and bone health, eating foods that contain folate, such as honeydew, may promote healthy bones by ensuring homocysteine levels stay within the normal range (5).

Vitamin K is involved in the production of a major structural protein in bone known as osteocalcin. Therefore, adequate vitamin K intake is essential for healthy bones. A serving of honeydew provides 6% of the RDI of this vitamin (1, 6, 7).

In addition, you can meet about 4% of your daily magnesium needs with one serving of honeydew.

The cells responsible for building and breaking down bone tissue require magnesium to function properly. Thus, magnesium is another nutrient vital for bone health (1, 8).

Honeydew also contains small amounts of other bone-supporting nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus and zinc (1).

While these nutrients are not highly concentrated in honeydew, adding the fruit to your diet can still support your bone health when paired with a balanced diet that includes a variety of other nutrient-dense foods.

Summary Honeydew
contains multiple nutrients that are vital for bone health, including folate,
vitamin K and magnesium.

4. May Improve Blood Sugar Control

Some research indicates that eating fruits, such as honeydew melon, regularly may promote healthy blood sugar levels.

A recent seven-year study in half a million people found that those who consumed fresh fruit daily were 12% less likely to develop diabetes, compared to those who rarely ate fruit (9).

In those participants who already had diabetes at the beginning of the study, eating fruit at least three times per week led to a 13–28% lower risk of experiencing diabetes-related health complications in addition to a 17% lower risk of premature death (9).

Though honeydew melon contains carbs that can raise your blood sugar temporarily, it also provides fiber and other nutrients that may help improve blood sugar control over time.

Summary Regularly
eating fruit, such as honeydew melon, is associated with a lower risk of
diabetes and related health complications. This is likely due to the fiber and
other health-promoting nutrients found in fruit.

5. Rich in Electrolytes and Water

When you think of hydration, the first thing that probably comes to mind is water. However, to effectively and properly hydrate, your body needs more than that — it needs electrolytes, too (10).

Honeydew melon is about 90% water and contains electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium (1).

This combination of water and nutrients makes honeydew great for hydrating after a workout, during illness or if you’re just trying to stay hydrated throughout your day.

Summary Honeydew
melon is made up of mostly water but also contains electrolytes that may
hydrate you more effectively than just water alone.

6. May Support Healthy Skin

Eating honeydew melon may support healthy skin due to its high vitamin C content.

Adequate vitamin C intake is imperative for the proper production of collagen, a major structural protein that’s vital for repairing and maintaining your skin tissue (11).

Additionally, because vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, some research indicates that it may protect your skin against sun damage (12).

Honeydew melon is an excellent source of vitamin C — a single cup (177 grams) provides 53% of the RDI (1).

Though you can obtain vitamin C from a variety of foods, eating honeydew is an easy way to quickly meet your daily needs — promoting healthy skin in the process.

Summary Honeydew
melon is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that promotes the production of collagen
and may protect your skin from sun damage.

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7. May Boost Your Immune System

Vitamin C is arguably best known for its role in supporting immune function, and honeydew melon is loaded with it.

The human immune system is complex and requires a wide array of nutrients to function properly — vitamin C is a critical component (13).

In fact, research suggests that adequate intake of dietary vitamin C may both prevent and treat various respiratory and systemic infections, such as pneumonia and the common cold (13).

A 1-cup (177-gram) serving of honeydew provides over half of the RDI for vitamin C, making it a great food to add to your diet as you prepare for this year’s cold season (1, 13).

Summary Honeydew
melon contains high levels of vitamin C, a nutrient that supports proper immune
function.

8. May Promote Proper Digestion

Honeydew melon contains fiber, a nutrient that is well known for improving digestive health (14).

Adequate intake of dietary fiber slows blood sugar response and promotes bowel regularity and the growth of healthy gut bacteria (14, 15).

A single cup (177 gram) provides about 1.5 grams or roughly 5% of the RDI for fiber. Though many other fruits contain more fiber per serving, honeydew can still contribute to your daily fiber intake (1).

In fact, for some people with certain digestive disorders or those who are newly introducing or reintroducing fiber into their diet, a lower-fiber fruit like honeydew may be better tolerated than other high-fiber foods.

Summary Honeydew
melon contains fiber, a nutrient known to support healthy digestion. Due to its
moderate fiber content, it may be better tolerated than high-fiber foods by
people with certain digestive disorders or those introducing fiber into their
diet.

10. Easy to Add to Your Diet

Adding honeydew melon to your diet couldn’t be easier.

It’s widely available, and its price is comparable to that of other popular melons like cantaloupe or watermelon.

To make this dietary endeavor worth your while, choose a ripe melon. Out-of-season or unripe honeydew melons are flavorless and leave much to be desired.

A great selling point for fruit is that it can easily be enjoyed by itself — a slice of cool, ripe melon on a warm day is hard to beat.

However, if you’re looking for something a little more creative, there are many other ways you can enjoy this fruit.

Honeydew melon can be added to a wide variety of dishes, including:

  • Salads: Slice some
    honeydew into bite-sized pieces and add it to your favorite salad.
  • Desserts: Puree the melon
    and use it as a base for popsicles or ice cream.
  • Breakfast: Serve sliced
    melon alongside cottage cheese or blend it into a
    smoothie.
  • Soups: Serve honeydew
    as the base of a chilled soup with peppers, mint and cucumber.
  • Appetizers: Wrap slices of melon with cured
    meats or add it to a spicy salsa.

Summary Honeydew
can be enjoyed by itself or added to many different dishes, including salad,
salsa, soup or dessert. The key is choosing a ripe melon while it’s in season.

The Bottom Line

Honeydew melon is a sweet fruit that can be found around the world. Its flesh is light green, while its rind is typically white or yellow.

Honeydew is full of vitamins, minerals and other health-promoting plant compounds. Eating this type of melon could have several health benefits, mainly due to its rich nutrient content.

Honeydew melon can be eaten by itself or as part of other dishes like soups, salads, smoothies and more. For the tastiest experience, choose an in-season and ripe melon.

Melon Health Benefits + Top Ways to Use Melon & Melon Recipes

What is the health benefit of melon? Wondering how to use melon in the kitchen? Looking for fabulous melon recipes? I’ve got you covered with this 101 melon guide answering your top questions on melon health benefits and beyond. Get this melon list too.

A sweet juicy melon on a hot summer day is one of summer’s best rewards, isn’t it? When I was a kid, I visited my aunt and uncle’s watermelon farm in Idaho during the summers. We would each pick out our favorite watermelon in the field, pick it up, throw it down to crack it open, and eat out the heart with our grubby little paws. On those hot, dusty days, nothing tasted better! I can smell the sweet watermelon nectar just thinking about it. Ever since then, I have been totally in love with summer’s bounty of melons: watermelons, crenshaws, cantaloupes, honeydews—and many more unusual varieties beyond these. Melons are so sweet and yummy; and they’re really at their best, served simply and unadorned. But they are also fabulous in so many recipes. I have melons growing in my garden each summer, and I am enamored with their cheery flowers and curling vines as the fruits begin to emerge. But did you know that melons offer more than just good taste? They are packed with health benefits, and are more versatile in the kitchen than you might imagine.

What Are Melons?

Melons are sweet edible fleshy fruits in the Cucurbitaceae family. Botanically speaking, melons are actually a kind of berry. First originating in Africa and Southwest Asia, melons made their way to Europe during the Roman Empire—in fact, they were cultivated in ancient Egypt. These sweet juicy fruits were among the first to be domesticated in the Old World, as well as the New World. There are many types of melons available (over a thousand varieties!), each with different sizes, shapes, peels, colors, and flavors. While you’ll find the basic varieties in supermarkets, check out a farmers market to spot a wider range of unusual varieties. And try growing them in your own garden. Melons peak in the warm summer months.

Melon List

Try some of these more commonly available melons.

  • Ambrosia
  • Canary
  • Cantaloupe
  • Charentais
  • Crenshaw
  • Galia
  • Hami
  • Harper
  • Honeydew
  • Piel de Sapo
  • Sharlyn
  • Snow Leopard
  • Watermelon

Melon Health Benefits

These fruits are not only delicious, but they are packed with hydrating fluid, fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemicals linked with their color—all for a skinny little calorie load. For example, did you know that watermelon contains lycopene—the compound linked with prostate cancer protection? Each melon has different plant compounds linked with its color, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

How to Use Melons in the Kitchen

Of course, the best way to enjoy melon is fresh and simple. Just slice into wedges and bite in! However, you can use melons in interesting ways beyond fresh slices. Melons can be used in breakfast bowls, salads, cold soups, smoothies, sorbets, popsicles, and even grilled for a caramelized treat. Find more ways to use melons below. How to pick a melon? Look for melons that feel heavy for its size, with a slightly sweet smell (for some types of melons) that is not overpowering (which can indicate over ripe fruit). For watermelons, you may want to give the surface a light knock—if it sounds hollow, it should be ripe and ready to enjoy. For cantaloupes, look for outer surfaces that aren’t green, which indicates it’s not ripe.

Top 5 Ways to Use Melons

Make the most of melons when they are in season! Try these interesting ways to put melons on your menu.

1. Au Naturel

One of the very best ways to enjoy melons is in their natural form. Just a wedge with breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert is the way to go! No matter what the type of melon, start by washing the outside surface of the melon. For honeydew/cantaloupe varieties, slice in half, scoop out the seeds (you can save them to replant in your garden), and slice it into wedges. For watermelons, slice in half, then quarters, and slice into wedges. You can choose to remove the rind or peel (try pickling watermelon rind!), or people can bite around the rinds. You can also chop the melon flesh into easy chunks to enjoy out of hand, on fruit platters, or in fruit skewers served with my strawberry tofu dip in my book The Plant-Powered Diet.

2. Savory Pairings 

Did you know that sweet, aromatic melons pair really well with savory dishes? That’s right! You can grill wedges or chunks of melon on veggie kebabs with tofu or tempeh (try melons in my Hawaiian Tempeh Skewers), and even blend fresh melon in an herbal cool soup, such as my Cucumber Avocado Soup. Try cantaloupe on this easy pizza recipe, Cantaloupe Basil Flatbread Pizza.

3. Bowled Over with Melons

So many bowls are divine with the addition of juicy, sweet melons. Slice chunks of honeydew over your next Green Goddess Grain Bowl, puree watermelons into a smoothie bowl, and use watermelon in a Vegan Poke Bowl. You can also try a simple melon parfait bowl, which is one of the best no-fuss, no-cook, hands-down delicious and healthy breakfasts, lunches or snacks in the summertime. Just layer cubed melon with plant-based yogurt, granola, dried fruit, and nuts or seeds.

4. Toss up a Pretty Salad 

Melons just shine in salads—offering just the right amount of crunchy, juicy sweetness. Whether it’s a green salad, grain salad, or pasta salad, toss in some chunks of melons for flavor and texture. Try my watermelon salad in my book The Plant-Powered Diet, or this yummy cantaloupe salad featured above. 

5. Beverages Galore 

Hydrating melons are perfectly suited to a variety of beverages, from smoothies to slushies to cocktails! Drop a few cubes of melon in a blender with a bit of lemon juice and you can whip up a delicious fruity drink in no time. Or simply add cubed melon to your favorite smoothie recipe, with a bit of plant-based milk, seeds, nuts, and greens. Check out this Watermelon Basil Slushie for starts and enjoy this Cantaloupe Margarita (featured above) for celebrations.

Top 7 Melon Recipes

Check out these favorite plant-based healthy melon recipes:

  • Vegan Poke Bowl with Tofu, Watermelon, and Quinoa
  • Watermelon Chia Ginger Smoothie Bowl
  • Watermelon Basil Slushie
  • Rose Sangria Sparkler
  • Radish Salad with Cantaloupe and Pumpkin Seeds
  • Vegan Cantaloupe Basil Flatbread Pizza
  • Light & Lovely Cantaloupe Margarita

Also, try these 40 Vegan Summer Fruit Recipes with Melon!

For more Plant 101 Guides, check out the following:

  • Zucchini 101: Zucchini Health Benefits + Zucchini Recipes and Cooking Tips
  • How to Cook Millet
  • Top 5 Ways to Cook Celery Root
  • Top 5 Ways to Cook Tempeh + Tempeh Recipes
  • Top 5 Ways to Use Rapini + Rapini Recipe Guide
  • Top 5 Ways to Use Turmeric + Turmeric Recipes
  • Top 5 Ways to Use Chickpeas
  • How to Use Blackberries
  • How to Use Sweet Potatoes
  • How to Use Carrots

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