5 Reasons You Must Avoid Eating Kiwanos

Kiwano or horned melon is a nutritious fruit which is well known for its horn-like spines. It is native to Sub Saharan Africa but is now grown in many regions of the world such as United States, Australia, Chile, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and New Zealand. It is known by some other names such as hedged gourd, jelly melon, melano, etc. Kiwano belongs to the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae, and is scientifically known as “Cucumis metuliferus”. Being a good source of many nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, phytonutrients, and polyphenols, etc. they provide a number of benefits. Although kiwano is good for us and provides a number of benefits, it is advisable to keep them in moderation. This is because too much of everything is bad and the same is true for kiwano. Consuming kiwano in excessive quantities is bad for us, and in this article, we will know about the major side effects of eating too many kiwanos ( Horned Melons).

# Keeping our digestive system healthy

This benefit of kiwanos is mainly due to the presence of dietary fibers in them. The dietary fibers present in the horned melons acts as a natural laxative which means it improves bowel movement and ensures smooth elimination of stool from our system. This provides relief from constipation and also reduces the risk of various gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gas, flatulence, etc.

Although dietary fibers are very beneficial for our digestive health, it is advisable to consume kiwanos in moderation. This is because over intake of dietary fibers in our system can do more harm than the good. Some common side effects of fiber overload in our system are the poor absorption of nutrients, indigestion, abdominal pain, intestinal gas, intestinal blockage, etc.

# Too Many Antioxidants Are Bad For Our Health

Horned melons are an excellent source of many antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and other antioxidantal compounds that provide a number of benefits to us.These antioxidants fight with the free radicals in our body, stabilizes them and prevents them from causing oxidative damage caused by the free radicals, and thus reduces the risk of various cancers. It also aids in removing toxins from our system, which in turn helps our vital organs like liver and kidneys.

Antioxidants also provide a number of other benefits such as improves cognitive function, reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, strengthens the immune system, improves cardiovascular health and so on.Although antioxidants are great for us and provide a number of benefits, it is advisable to keep an eye on them. This is because a high intake of antioxidants in our system can do more harm than the good.

# May Develop Allergic Reactions In Some Individuals

Kiwano is an excellent source of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, dietary fibers, etc. and presence of these compounds make them very beneficial for us. Because of the presence of these nutrients, kiwano provides a number of health benefits and beauty benefits.

However, these benefits can’t be enjoyed by all of us.It has been found that some individuals might be allergic to kiwanos and they should avoid consuming kiwanos at all cost. Some common allergic reactions caused by the horned melons are skin rashes, itching, swelling of mouth, tongue, lips, and face, etc.

# May Cause Hypotension

Consuming kiwanos on a regular and moderate basis has been found to be very beneficial for providing relief from hypertension or high blood pressure, which is a major health problem that affects millions of people around the world and is a primary cause of various cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, heart stroke, irregular heartbeat, etc.

This benefit of kiwano is mainly due to the presence of potassium in it. Potassium is a vital mineral that acts as a natural vasodilator which means it relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation and thus provides relief from high blood pressure or hypertension.

Although kiwano is beneficial for regulating high blood pressure, it is advisable to eat kiwanos in moderation. This is because of the high level of potassium in our system can do more harm than good. Potassium present in the kiwano can lower our blood pressure to an abnormally low level giving rise to hypotension.

# May Increase The Risk of Hypoglycemia

Regular and moderate intake of kiwano has been found to be very beneficial for diabetic patients and for those who are at the risk of developing diabetes.

This advantage of kiwano is mainly because of its low glycemic index. Being a low glycemic index fruit, it ensures that it releases sugar into the bloodstream at a slow rate and doesn’t causes a sudden spike in the blood sugar level, and thus aids in managing diabetes. The dietary fibers present in the kiwano reduce the rate at which sugar gets absorbed into the bloodstream and thus helps in managing diabetes.