Health Benefits of Eating Pumpkin
As you look at the jack-o-lanterns on people’s porches and around your neighborhood, consider that there’s more to a pumpkin than decoration. Not only are pumpkins edible; they may have health benefits.
Here are some of the health benefits of eating pumpkin.
Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are called pepitas. You can eat them raw or roasted, but some experts contend that nutrients get lost when the seeds are heated. At any rate, studies have shown that pumpkin seeds may help support a healthy prostate gland.
Pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc, a mineral that is sometimes lacking in the American diet. Zinc has been shown to protect against osteoporosis, so pumpkin seeds may help ward off this debilitating condition.
Another mineral that pumpkin seeds boast is magnesium (another one often lacking in our standard diet). Sources say that eating half a cup of pumpkin seeds provides over 90% of your daily intake of this important mineral.
Beta-Carotene
The pumpkin’s distinctive orange rind and flesh are due to beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A (it’s converted to vitamin A in the body). Beta-carotene has been shown to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Another benefit of beta-carotene is a potential decrease in cancer risk (particularly lung cancer) and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Once it becomes vitamin A, beta-carotene has a reputation for promoting eye health.
Pumpkin also contains carotenoids, substances that are said to boost the immune system. Interestingly, carotenoids have been shown to help prevent yeast infections in women.
Fiber
Pumpkin contains both types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is what its name suggests – it’s soluble in water, which has a thickening effect on the contents of the digestive tract. This may slow down the absorption of sugar, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Pumpkin also has insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water and therefore keeps things moving in the digestive tract.
Vitamin C
This important vitamin is also an antioxidant, making it an important component for immune health. And you guessed it – vitamin C is found in pumpkins! Vitamin C is important for all sorts of body functions, including healing of wounds and maybe staving off cancer.
Potassium
You’ll find this valuable mineral in pumpkin as well. Potassium is often recommended to people with high blood pressure, particularly if they take a diuretic. Potassium has a reputation for reducing the risk of various diseases and disorders, such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and hypoglycemia.
So take a new look at those pumpkins decorating everyone’s home and yard. They are a nutritional treasure trove!