originated in North America. They are exceptionally
healthy, so it's quite unfortunate to think that they are
often overlooked as a source of fiber. They are also
full of important disease-fighting vitamins and a
whole host of other essentials.
That's why it's time to read up about the fantastic
benefits of pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, and allow
yourself to be inspired with some ideas to include this
luscious treat in your dishes!
Benefits of Pumpkin Pulp:
1. Boosts vision
Pumpkin contains high amounts of vitamin A,
which is directly linked to our optical health.
The plentiful nutrients found in pumpkin pulp
sharpen your vision, particularly in dim light.
Regular consumption of pumpkin is also said to
slow down visual decline brought about by conditions
like macular disease and retinitis pigmentosa
(which can lead to blindness), and helps prevents
eye cataracts.
Have cup of mashed pumpkin each day in order
to ensure a steady dose of vitamin A.
2. Makes your skin look younger
The vitamin A that pumpkin contains is also
proven to boost our skin's health. Consume pumpkin
to keep your skin looking younger, as this vitamin
protects you from developing wrinkles caused by
the sun's UV rays. Apart from consuming it, pumpkin
can also be used to make an all-natural facial mask to
exfoliate and soothe the skin.
Here's how to make the mask: Combine 1/4 cup pureed
pumpkin, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon
of milk. Mix and apply the mixture to your face. Leave it
on for 20 minutes before you wash it off with warm water.
3. Aids weight loss
Because pumpkin is packed with a great deal of
fiber, it can keep you satiated for longer periods of
time than other foods. Fiber is a substance that slows
down digestion, and considering that 90% of pumpkins
consists of water, it's one of the most recommended
foods to consider during diets. In one cup of pumpkin,
there's 7 grams of fiber, and that is more than what you
get from two slices of bread, but it contains less than 50
calories!
4. Boosts energy levels
We've been told that bananas are an excellent source
of energy, but did you know that pumpkins are even
better? While a banana contains 422 milligrams of the
refueling nutrient potassium, a single cup of mashed
pumpkin contains a whopping 564 milligrams, making
it one of nature's very best energy-packed goods.
Drink a cup of mashed pumpkin after a workout to
restore the body's balance of electrolytes (the minerals
you lose when you sweat) and help your muscles recover.
5. Promotes heart health
Eating foods that are high in fiber, like pumpkin,
is incredibly beneficial for your heart. Recent studies
have found that male individuals with a high-fiber
diet had 40% less chance of getting coronary heart
disease than individuals with a lesser intake of fiber,
whereas for female individuals, this was 25%. Apart
from this, the chemical phytosterol found in pumpkin
seeds has been proven to work against the "bad"
cholesterol, LDL, which has a positive effect upon
the health of your heart.
6. Enhances immunity to disease
It may sound hard to believe, but pumpkin is extremely
effective when it comes to our body's immune system.
If you're looking to improve your body's ability to
combat illness, increase your intake of pumpkin and/
or pumpkin seed oil. This will help it to fight infections,
viruses and infectious diseases, due to its high vitamin C
content. In fact just a single cup of pumpkin contains
more than 11 milligrams of this healthy vitamin,
which is almost equivalent to the 60% of women's
recommended daily dose (this would be around
75 milligrams for men), and this can
help the body recover from a common cold
or a more serious parasitic-related illness.
While discussing the beneficial properties of pumpkins,
we cannot help but mention one terrific discovery research
has recently revealed. This amazing food has been shown
to help lower blood glucose levels when consumed,
encouraging glucose tolerance and an increase in the
body's insulin levels.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
8. Improves your mood
Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of the amino
acid tryptophan, which is more well-known for its presence
in turkey dishes. Apart from being one of the most vital
amino acids required by our bodies, tryptophan is responsible
for the production of serotonin in our bodies, a substance
that plays a major role in our mood control. It is also
found in some other seeds, as well as poultry, red meat,
fish, and more.
9. Gives you a better night's sleep
Your search for sleeping solutions may end here.
Apart from being a feel-good neurotransmitter, the
tryptophan found in pumpkin seeds may even improve
your resting time. This substance allows the body to
relax and unwind, making it the perfect means to
lull you in to a deep, untroubled sleep.
10. Treats low blood pressure
Furthermore, eating pumpkin seeds may also
exhibit positive improvements in individuals
that suffer from low blood pressure. This is mainly
due to the phytoestrogens found in pumpkin seeds,
which are said to help prevent hypertension.
11. Lowers the risk of cancer
So far, pumpkin and pumpkin seeds have shown
several perks brought by its regular consumption,
which has been proven to be super essential to us.
However, perhaps most surprisingly of all, scientists
have found that the Beta-carotene pigment found in
pumpkin, and pumpkin seeds in particular, is not only
beneficial for your skin and vision, it's also a
cancer-fighting agent. In particular, men's health has
been linked to the benefits of pumpkin seeds, due to
their richness in zinc, which can effectively prevent
men from developing prostate cancer. Consequently,
his can lead to improvements in their sexual health.
The zinc levels contained in a quarter cup of pumpkin
seeds results in 17% of the recommended daily intake
of zinc for adults.
