Eating more health pumpkin can make you a lot healthier. You might not think it but the humble pumpkin has some excellent health properties – read on to see how.
#1. Pumpkins Help Boost Your Immunity Keeping You Well
The pumpkin flesh and seeds contain a high concentration in antioxidants (such as beta-carotene and carotenoids) and vitamin C.
Pumpkin is renowned as one of the best sources for beta-carotene and the other variety of synergistic carotenoids. These nutrients are responsible for the characteristic pumpkin yellow color.
Beta-carotene helps boost your immune system as it is converted into vitamin A, which in turn, triggers and aids the creation of white blood cells that fight infection, keeping healthy. All in all pumpkin could be beneficial to most of us – click here for a quick and easy way to get more pumpkin in your diet.
#2. Pumpkins Can Help Cleanse Your Liver
Beta-carotene and the other carotenoids found in pumpkins help detoxify and improve tissue health, and the general health of your liver.
#3. Pumpkins Help Improve The Health Of Your Eyes
Aside from improving your immune system, carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein, improve the health of your eyes.
While the aforementioned antioxidants found in pumpkins go a long way in preventing degenerative conditions from affecting your eyes, pumpkins are packed full of other antioxidants.
The National Institute of Health has stated that one cup of cooked pumpkin contains more than 200% of the required daily vitamin A intake. The intake of this vitamin improves eye health and vision, especially in dim light.
#4. Pumpkins Support Your Weight Loss By Making You Feel Full
Pumpkin contained a lot of fiber, which makes you feel fuller and satisfied for a longer period. This lowers your food intake, supporting your weight loss efforts. Additionally, fiber has been linked to weight loss.
Fiber slows the rate of absorption of sugar into the blood. Moreover, it is beneficial for digestion.
#5. Pumpkins Improve Your Skin Healthy
Eating pumpkins can improve your skin’s texture and appearance.
The antioxidants packed in pumpkins, especially vitamin C and E and carotenoids, help keep your skin healthy.
#6. Pumpkins Are Healthy For Your Heart
Pumpkins are packed with plenty of potassium, which is essential in blood pressure regulation.
The published study “Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases” suggests that increasing potassium intake can be as helpful in decreasing sodium intake in the fight against high blood pressure.
Another study showed that participants with high beta-carotene had about half the risk of cardiovascular death has participants that consumed a lower amount of the nutrient.
Soluble fiber found in pumpkins is also useful in lowering triglycerides and cholesterol.
#7. Pumpkins Can Help In Cancer Prevention
Pumpkins have plenty of antioxidants. Eating pumpkins more often will reduce the risk of getting different types of cancers.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the beta-carotene found in pumpkin can help keep some types of cancer away.
Moreover, the NIH discovered that food sources of the beta-carotene are more effective than supplements, particularly when the food source also contains the full range of carotenoids.