Scientific Name – Cucurbita
Amount Per 100 grams.
|Total Fat||0.1 g|
|Saturated fat||0.1 g|
|Polyunsaturated fat||0 g|
|Monounsaturated fat||0 g|
|Total Carbohydrate||7 g|
|Dietary fiber||0.5 g|
IT CONTROLS BLOOD PRESSURE
Eating pumpkin is good for the heart. The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C content in pumpkin all support heart health. Consuming adequate potassium is almost as important as decreasing sodium intake for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Other foods that are high in potassium include cantaloupe, avocado, pineapple, tomatoes, oranges, spinach, and bananas. Increased potassium intake is also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density, and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.
PUMPKIN IS A RICH SOURCE OF BETA-CAROTENE
The distinctive bright orange color of pumpkin indicates that it is a rich source of beta-carotene. People who eat a diet rich in beta-carotene are less likely to develop cancer. Beta-Cryptoxanthin and carotenoids in pumpkin decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Plant foods like pumpkins that are high in both vitamin C and beta-carotene offer an immunity boost from their powerful combination of nutrients.
IT REDUCES RISK OF HEART DISEASES
Pumpkin helps to get rid of the build-up of arterial deposits, thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases and strokes. The high amount of antioxidants in pumpkin also prevents atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). It minimizes the risk of high blood pressure. Pumpkin also has a high amount of phytosterol, which is very similar to human cholesterol. It normalizes the cholesterol to a healthy level.
IT ALLEVIATES ANEMIA
Anemia is a common condition which in a layman’s language means lack of blood. But actually, it is the Hemoglobin count in blood that is deficient in the body which leads to Anemia. Hemoglobin is the pigment that gives our blood its color and is the component that transports oxygen to all parts of our body. People suffering from Anemia usually show the symptoms of lethargy, drowsiness, pale complexion and tongue, dizziness and headaches. Pumpkin has a significant amount of Iron which constitutes hemoglobin and Vitamin B12 which supports the treatment of Anemia.
PREVENTS INFLAMMATORY DISEASES
Regular consumption of pumpkin also reduces the risk of developing inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
PUMPKINS TREAT INTESTINAL WORMS
Pumpkin seeds can also help your body get rid of nasty gut parasites that can make you sick. They have traditionally been used for this purpose by Native Americans; even today, pumpkin seeds are used to treat tapeworms in some parts of Africa.
GIVES RESPIRATORY RELIEF
Though there has been a long-standing debate on the effectiveness of Vitamin C in warding off colds and flu, many studies do show that Vitamin C works against them. Vitamin C shortens the duration and reduces the frequency and intensity of these conditions. It probably works by strengthening the immune system. Pumpkin has a high content of this water-soluble Vitamin C. Studies and experiments have established that a combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin E can reduce the frequencies of Asthmatic attack owing to environmental triggers. It also has shown a reduction in the usage of Asthmatic medicines containing corticosteroid in adults.
IT IS A RICH SOURCE OF VITAMIN K
Pumpkin is one of the best sources of Vitamin K. It contains around 40% of the daily recommended dose. Vitamin K is very beneficial for the health of bones and heart. Vitamin C in pumpkin is needed for proper growth and repair of the tissues in the body. One serving of pumpkins provides 20% of the daily recommended dosage.
PUMPKINS BOOSTS ENERGY
Now pumpkin itself has low calories and is usually not considered a high energy food. However, if you move beyond the Calorie factor and on to its Vitamin B12 content, you will realize that pumpkin is an energizing vegetable. The nutrition that we consume through our diet is not readily available for utilization, it needs to be broken down and synthesized for absorption. Vitamin B12 is responsible for breaking down Carbohydrates, Proteins, and fats to provide the ultimate platform for your body to absorb this nutrition. Without Vitamin B12, all the nutrition you consume would simply get washed out without getting absorbed leading to other deficiencies.
REDUCES STRESS AND DEPRESSION
Lack of tryptophan in the body often leads to depression. Pumpkin is rich in L-tryptophan, an amino-acid which reduces depression and stress. The sedative properties of pumpkin are very effective in curing insomnia.
IMPROVE PROSTATE HEALTH
In the early twentieth century, people used pumpkin seeds to treat enlarged prostate symptoms. They contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which may help shrink the prostate. It is recommended to men to eat about an ounce of pumpkin seeds three times a week.
IT PREVENTS PEPTIC ULCER
Pumpkin is an amazing detoxifying food. It is an innate diuretic, which is useful for flushing out toxins and wastes from the body. The medicinal properties of pumpkin calm the gastrointestinal tract to prevent peptic ulcer.
HELPS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
High fiber diet has a knack for making your stomach feel full with less amount and it also keeps you feeling full for a longer time. This way it curbs the unhealthy and unwanted food cravings that disguise themselves as hunger. Pumpkin is one such vegetable which has almost no fats and has a considerable amount of fiber.
IT RELIVES FROM CONSTIPATION PROBLEM
It also makes your metabolism work well by improving regular bowel movement. High fiber diet prevents constipation and softens stools which in turn leads to an effective excretion of stools out of the body.
PROTECTS AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER
The high content of carotenoids and zinc in pumpkin protects against prostate cancer. It prevents the enlargement of the prostate and over stimulation of the male hormones that cause prostate problems.
IT BOOSTS YOUR SEX LIFE
Pumpkin seeds provide a good dose of zinc (one-quarter cup contains almost 17 percent of your daily need). The mineral appears to play a role in men’s sexual health, including fertility, potency, and sex drive.
RICH SOURCE OF POTASSIUM
Potassium is an important mineral required for proper functioning of the heart and muscles. One serving of pumpkin provides around 550 g of potassium, making it one of the highest sources of potassium. You can add pumpkin to your post-workout snack or meal for the extra potassium boost.
PUMPKINS FOR HEALTHY SKIN
The problems of Acne, dark spots and premature aging of skin are some of the most common problems being faced by almost everyone. The contributory factors are pollution, unhealthy lifestyle and low nutrition. It is important to eat right to have a glowing and healthy skin. Pumpkin is a composition of antioxidants that flush out the toxins and free radicals in the body. These toxins are responsible for acne and pimple breakout on the facial skin. Free radicals damage cells and are known to cause premature aging in form of wrinkles. Apart from these antioxidants, Vitamin B2 in pumpkin boosts cell production which replaces the dead and old layer of tissue with the new one further delaying the skin aging. This process alleviates the dark spots that usually house themselves in the inner layers of the facial skin.
IT PROMOTES HAIR GROWTH
Pumpkin is a rich source of minerals including potassium and zinc. Potassium helps in keeping hair healthy and improve re-growth. Zinc helps maintain collagen and thus play an important role in promoting healthy hair. It also contains folate, an important B vitamin that stimulates hair growth by improving blood circulation.