Superfruit update: Now it's melons?

As we mentioned in a recent post, the superfruit category is becoming a crowded one, with champions of this or that piece of produce putting forth their contenders in news releases brimming with hyperbole.

Today we have a new candidate: the melon -- in particular, a "rare exotic melon harvested from fields in the South of France," news of which was sent to us in an e-mail with the subject line "Breakthrough Melon Extract contains the 'Enzyme of Life.' "

"Melons were introduced to Europe in the 16th century and were so rare and treasured that they were grown in glasshouses," we are told. "For centuries scientists have looked to these superior fruits for the key to anti-aging." (They have?)

The "enzyme of life" in question is the free radical scavenger superoxide dismutase, higher levels of which have been linked to longevity in such creatures as worms and fruit flies, though the enzyme alone is not the one key to why and how rapidly we age. This particular melon contains a lot of superoxide dismutase, apparently, and there are even pictures of a "normal melon" and this special melon 15 days post-harvest, with the "normal melon" looking considerably more decrepit than the special melon.

The e-mail goes on to explain that a cosmetic created from this melon "activates the synthesis of the cell and quenches free radicals. It allows the cells to project moisture back into your complexion and leaves you with a dewy look by actually ‘switching on’ the genes which allow the body to make its own antioxidant enzymes."

We won't get into the side issue of whether, for seed dispersal purposes, it's useful or detrimental for a melon to sit around indefinitely hard as a rock. (This melon is nearly extinct, we are told.) Just to say: Fruit are good. We should eat more of them. But perhaps we should leave it at that?

P.S. If you want to fritter away some time learning about the history of melon cultivation, here's a fun link. And here's another.

-- Rosie Mestel 

Photo credit: David Karp

Comments

[tony marino]

In the next segment could please give us it's name or is it a secret.

[Steve]

Dear LA Times: Just keep the following text at the top of your "Health" section every week: Eating a diet of fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts and fish will help boost nutrition levels, increase resistance to illness and promote healthy living and longevity. So please stop with the attention-grabbing "New Superfruit?" headlines that state nothing but the obvious.

[johburgjen]

To the writer of this article:
Fruit are good.....? hmmmm.... (see last line of your article....)

[sandiegan]

If plums were unknown and were just discovered in the Amazon, its dried fruit, commonly known as the "prune," would be touted as the Superfruit to end all Superfruits, not only because of its quite high anti-oxidant level, but also, due to many alternative health advocates focus on all things colon, because of its amazing effect on gastrointestinal peristaltic...action.

[Anna M]

Oooh, a "rare exotic melon" from France...that just sounds delicious. But yes, overall, the message on antioxidants, phytosterols, vitamins, ect is that fruit and veg are good for you. And, the more diverse color you've got in your fresh foods bin, the more nutrients you're probably getting. Here's to living life colorfully!
- Anna M, Content Writer, Nutri-Health
http://blog.nutri-health.com/

[Monique]

This is just poor reporting because the name of the melon is not mentioned anywhere in the article. So what if there is a special melon if we don't know the name of the melon how is it going to help people.

[Stephan Dorlandt]

Power to the melons. The greatest superfood of all is a melon, bitter melon. Don't believe it? Check out the book, Dr. Gourd.