Do you know about the Health Benefits of Pumpkin? Pumpkin is a widely grown vegetable and its bright orange color clearly shows that it is a rich source of antioxidants and disease-fighting vitamins. They might be used for carving and filling it with candles during Halloween, but they are actually highly nutritious and are considered as one of the superfoods. Pumpkins are low in calories and the best-known source of Beta carotene. Here are the top 10 health benefits you can get from a pumpkin.
Top 10 Best Health Benefits of Pumpkin
Top 10 Best Health Benefits of Pumpkin
1. Helps in Lowering Blood Pressure
Pumpkins are rich in potassium and Vitamin C, and a diet that includes natural sources of potassium is essential for controlling blood pressure. Potassium intake reduces the effects of extra sodium. The high amount of sodium can cause your blood pressure to rise, which is the major cause of the development of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Reduces Menopausal Symptoms
Studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil, as well as pumpkin vegetable, has shown to have a significant improvement in the menopausal symptoms. The addition of pumpkin in your diet can decrease the severity of hot flushes, headaches, and joint pains.
3. Protect from Intestinal Parasites
Pumpkin, as well as its seeds, helps the body in getting rid of intestinal worms like a tapeworm. They have been traditionally used as an antihelmintic. Pumpkin contains a compound named cucurbitacins that paralyze the worms and prevents them from holding on to the intestinal wall and thus helps in eliminating them from our body during a bowel movement.
4. Helps in losing weight
Pumpkins are rich sources of dietary fibers and as they are low in calories, they are considered as an ideal vegetable for weight loss. High fiber food helps in curbing appetite as they slow down overall digestion and they also slow the rate at which sugar or glucose is absorbed by your body, which in turn keeps the blood sugar level stable. If you are planning to lose weight, make sure that your blood glucose level always remains stable as possible.
5. Helps in sleeping better
Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that is responsible for making serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps in relaxing and sleeping. Besides improving sleep, it also improves mood.
6. Boosts Immune system
Pumpkins are high in Vitamin C, E and beta carotene, which keeps our immune system strong and healthy. These vitamins also protect our cells from damage by free radicals by increasing the activity of macrophages.
7. Promotes Eye Health
Being rich in Vitamin E, A, and Beta Carotene, pumpkins provide potential benefits to our eyes and vision. Vitamin E plays an important role in protecting certain parts of the eyes which are highly susceptible to oxidative damage. Vitamin E along with Vitamin A and beta carotene helps in preventing age-related macular degeneration.
8. Promotes Healthy Heart
Pumpkins are rich in Phytosterols, that play a vital role in reducing the level of “bad” cholesterol or LDL and in turn reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Health Benefits of Pumpkin.
9. Helps in treating Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia and it occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron. Pumpkin being rich in iron is a good source for blood building and energy-boosting.
10. Promotes healthy Digestion
Pumpkin, being rich in dietary fiber, helps in the digestion of food more efficiently and keep you from getting constipation. It also aids in the absorption of nutrients from your food.
