ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY
6 THORN MELON – 6.46 – HEALTH BENEFITS OF KIWANO

 
Thorny melons are cultivated agriculturally, but also grow on their own in the bush and in the fields. The plant germinates well at an altitude between two hundred ten and one thousand eight hundred above sea level. Thorn melons are also planted in greenhouses because of their high market value.
The thorny melon is locally known as Kiwano, Passion Mwitu, Jelly Melon, Para Chichi Mwitu, African Horned Cucumber or Passion Lenye Tête Maji.
A ripe thorn melon is orange in colour while its inner part is lime green. This article looks at the nutritional benefits of thorn melon in the body.

Benefits of Thorn Melon
The kiwano fruit has numerous health benefits, and Africans consider it a symbol of long life because of its nutrients and medicinal properties. In fact, thorn melon is quite famous and praised by overweight individuals and those with arthritis and diabetes.
The benefits of thorn melon in the body include weight loss, boosting metabolism, protecting the skin, preventing some chronic diseases, strengthening bones, improving eye health, accelerating wound healing, improving cognitive abilities, and optimizing digestion.

Below is a list of health benefits of thorn melon:
1. Weight loss is one of the benefits of thorny melon in the body.
Thorn melon has a water content of almost eighty percent, making it perfect for filling your stomach without adding pounds. The fruit is highly recommended for people trying to lose weight as it contains fibre and nutrients that prevent one from feeling hungry quickly. Kiwano is low in fat and calories; Therefore, it is mainly consumed by people who have problems with their weight.

2. Benefits of Thorny Melon for Eye Health
In addition to weight loss, another health benefit of the thorn melon fruit is the promotion of eye health. The vitamin A content in thorn melon is very important, making it a valuable fruit and a booster for the eyes. In addition, the types of vitamin A carotene contained in the kiwano fruit prevent the development of cataracts and eliminate free radicals that lead to macular degeneration.

3. Thorn melon fruit boosts metabolism and is a stress reliever
Horned melon also has metabolic health benefits. The fruit contains an element of zinc, a mineral that plays a crucial role in metabolism and produces the protein essential for wound healing and repair of tissues, organs, blood vessels and cells. Research has also shown that Kiwano can be used to calm the mind and bring the body into a relaxed and calm state.

4. Thorny melon prevents fontal abnormalities and anemia
For expectant mothers, thorn melon is not only filling, but also packed with minerals and vitamins that are needed during pregnancy. Thorny melon benefits during pregnancy include preventing amnesia, leg cramps, and abnormalities in the fetus, as well as boosting the immune system, to name a few. The high content of vitamin C in Kiwano plays a crucial role in the absorption of iron, which is vital during pregnancy as it not only forms red blood cells but also develops tissue for the placenta and the baby. Therefore, thorny melons are highly advisable during pregnancy to prevent anaemia, which leads to infant mortality and premature labour. In most cases, expectant women often suffer from leg cramps, usually a sign of potassium deficiency. Pregnant women need about 4.1 mg of potassium daily by taking a kilogram of thorn melon instead. Thorn melon also has a high proportion of vitamin B9 or folic acid, which contributes significantly to the early development of an unborn baby.
In addition, melon contains zinc, which supports the development of body tissues. According to studies, if an expectant woman consumes thorny melon daily, the likelihood of neural tube defects in a fetes can be quickly reduced by up to 50 percent.

5. Thorny melon fruits are a natural source of antioxidants.
Thorny melon contains antioxidants that have positive effects on health. Kiwano has high levels of alpha-tocopherol compounds, which are powerful antioxidant forms of vitamin E. These antioxidant properties are crucial for blood vessel and nerve health. Thorn melon's medicinal benefits also include neutralizing free radicals that cause heart disease and degenerative cancer.

5. The fruit can improve cognitive ability and bone strength.
The composition of vitamin E in Kiwano is of great importance. Cognitive health benefits and is directly linked to slowing the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Thorn melon has high levels of tocopherol, which is primarily used to maintain brain health and keep the mind sharp and fresh. Kiwanos is also known for its high mineral content. In particular, calcium, which is used to prevent the onset of osteoporosis and promotes the strength, growth and repair of bones.

6. Thorn melon helps with digestion
The thorn melon has a high fibre composition, which supports the digestive process. Fiber helps cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates peristaltic movement, keeping bowel movements regular and preventing bloating, cramps, constipation and serious diseases such as colon cancer and stomach ulcers. Fiber also helps regulate cholesterol levels in the human body and insulin receptors, which prevents or treats diabetes. These are more than enough reasons to include thorny melon fruits in your diet. Stay healthy!

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
TIKITI 6 LA MWIBA – 6.46 – FAIDA ZA KIWANO KIAFYA
 
Matikiti yenye miiba hulimwa kwa kilimo, lakini pia hukua yenyewe msituni na mashambani. Mmea huota vizuri katika mwinuko kati ya mia mbili na kumi na elfu moja mia nane juu ya usawa wa bahari. Tikiti za miiba pia hupandwa kwenye bustani za miti kwa sababu ya thamani ya juu ya soko.
Tikiti hilo lenye miiba linajulikana kienyeji kama Kiwano, Passion Mwitu, Jelly Melon, Para Chichi Mwitu, African Horned Cucumber au Passion Lenye Tête Maji.
Tukio la miiba lililoiva lina rangi ya chungwa na sehemu yake ya ndani ni kijani kibichi. Makala haya yanaangazia faida za lishe za tikitimaji mwiba mwilini.
Faida za Tikiti ya Mwiba
Tunda la kiwano lina faida nyingi za kiafya, na Waafrika wanalichukulia kuwa ishara ya maisha marefu kwa sababu ya virutubishi na mali yake ya dawa. Kwa kweli, melon ya mwiba ni maarufu sana na kusifiwa na watu wazito zaidi na wale walio na ugonjwa wa yabisi na kisukari.
Faida za tikitimaji mwilini ni pamoja na kupunguza uzito, kuongeza kimetaboliki, kulinda ngozi, kuzuia baadhi ya magonjwa sugu, kuimarisha mifupa, kuboresha afya ya macho, kuharakisha uponyaji wa jeraha, kuboresha uwezo wa utambuzi na kuboresha usagaji chakula.
Ifuatayo ni orodha ya faida za kiafya za tikitimaji:
1. Kupungua uzito ni moja ya faida ya tikitimaji mwiba mwilini.
Tikiti ya miiba ina maji ya karibu asilimia themanini, na kuifanya iwe kamili kwa kujaza tumbo lako bila kuongeza pauni. Tunda hilo linapendekezwa sana kwa watu wanaojaribu kupunguza uzito kwani lina nyuzinyuzi na virutubisho vinavyomzuia mtu kuhisi njaa haraka. Kiwano ni chini ya mafuta na kalori; Kwa hiyo, hutumiwa hasa na watu ambao wana matatizo na uzito wao.
2. Faida za Tikiti Miiba kwa Afya ya Macho
Mbali na kupunguza uzito, faida nyingine ya kiafya ya tunda la tikitimaji la miiba ni kukuza afya ya macho. Yaliyomo ya vitamini A katika melon ya miiba ni muhimu sana, na kuifanya kuwa tunda la thamani na kichocheo cha macho. Aidha, aina za vitamini A carotene zilizomo kwenye tunda la kiwano huzuia ukuaji wa mtoto wa jicho na kuondoa viini vinavyosababisha kuzorota kwa macular.
3. Tunda la tikitimaji la miiba huongeza kimetaboliki na ni msongo wa mawazo
Tukio lenye pembe pia lina faida za kiafya za kimetaboliki. Tunda lina kipengele cha zinki, madini ambayo ina jukumu muhimu katika kimetaboliki na hutoa protini muhimu kwa uponyaji wa jeraha na ukarabati wa tishu, viungo, mishipa ya damu na seli. Utafiti pia umeonyesha kuwa Kiwano inaweza kutumika kutuliza akili na kuleta mwili katika hali ya utulivu na utulivu.
4. Tikiti miiba huzuia matatizo ya fetasi na upungufu wa damu
Kwa mama wanaotarajia, melon ya miiba sio kujaza tu, bali pia imejaa madini na vitamini ambazo zinahitajika wakati wa ujauzito. Faida za tikitimaji zenye miiba wakati wa ujauzito ni pamoja na kuzuia amnesia, maumivu ya miguu, na matatizo katika fetusi, pamoja na kuimarisha mfumo wa kinga, kwa kutaja machache. Kiwango cha juu cha vitamini C katika Kiwano kina jukumu muhimu katika kunyonya chuma, ambayo ni muhimu wakati wa ujauzito kwani sio tu hutengeneza seli nyekundu za damu lakini pia hutengeneza tishu kwa placenta na mtoto. Kwa hivyo, matikiti yenye miiba yanashauriwa sana wakati wa ujauzito ili kuzuia anemia, ambayo husababisha vifo vya watoto wachanga na leba kabla ya wakati. Mara nyingi, wanawake wanaotarajia mara nyingi wanakabiliwa na miguu ya miguu, kwa kawaida ni ishara ya upungufu wa potasiamu. Wanawake wajawazito wanahitaji takriban 4.1 mg ya potasiamu kila siku kwa kuchukua kilo ya tikitimaji badala yake. Tikiti ya mwiba pia ina kiwango kikubwa cha vitamini B9 au asidi ya folic, ambayo huchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa ukuaji wa mapema wa mtoto ambaye hajazaliwa.
Aidha, melon ina zinki, ambayo inasaidia maendeleo ya tishu za mwili. Kulingana na tafiti, ikiwa mwanamke mjamzito anakula tikitimaji yenye miiba kila siku, uwezekano wa kasoro za mirija ya neva katika fetasi unaweza kupunguzwa haraka kwa hadi asilimia 50.
5. Matunda ya tikitimaji yenye miiba ni chanzo cha asili cha antioxidants.
Melon ya miiba ina antioxidants ambayo ina athari chanya kwa afya. Kiwano ina viwango vya juu vya misombo ya alpha-tocopherol, ambayo ni aina ya antioxidant yenye nguvu ya vitamini E. Sifa hizi za antioxidant ni muhimu kwa mishipa ya damu na afya ya neva. Faida za dawa za tikitimaji la Thorn pia ni pamoja na kupunguza viini vya bure vinavyosababisha ugonjwa wa moyo na saratani inayoharibika.
5. Tunda linaweza kuboresha uwezo wa utambuzi na uimara wa mifupa.
Muundo wa vitamini E katika Kiwano ni muhimu sana. Faida za kiafya ya utambuzi na inahusishwa moja kwa moja na kupunguza kasi ya kuanza kwa shida ya akili na ugonjwa wa Alzheimer's. Thorn melon ina viwango vya juu vya tocopherol, ambayo hutumiwa kimsingi kudumisha afya ya ubongo na kuweka akili safi na safi. Kiwanos pia inajulikana kwa maudhui yake ya juu ya madini. Hasa, kalsiamu, ambayo hutumiwa kuzuia mwanzo wa osteoporosis na kukuza nguvu, ukuaji na ukarabati wa mifupa.