When people hear the word ‘pumpkin’, most of them immediately think of pumpkin-flavored treats and Halloween. And these plants are often associated with the fall, but there is a good reason to enjoy them all year round. Pumpkins contain lots of nutrients that are beneficial for our health in a number of ways; pumpkin seeds are also nutritious and healthful. They are best when roasted and can be added to your meals or eaten as a snack.
Here’s why pumpkins and their seeds are worth to be part of your diet:
Pumpkins are weight-loss friendly
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Being rich in fiber, pumpkin can make you feel full without too many calories. 100 grams of fresh pumpkin contain only 26 calories! In addition to fiber, pumpkins are also full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. There are hundreds of recipes with pumpkins, and you can try making a pumpkin soup or pumpkin smoothie for starters.
Pumpkins may help keep your eyes healthy
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Beta-carotene is a pigment that gives pumpkins their bright orange color (carrots also have plenty of it). Your body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, which is vital for good eyesight and helps the retina do its job – process light. 100 grams of pumpkin are enough to meet most people’s daily need of vitamin A.
Pumpkin may help boost the immune system
Along with vitamin A, pumpkin also contains vitamin C and smaller amounts of other vitamins. They can help your immune system fight colds and other infectious diseases.
You can make a nourishing skin mask using pumpkin
It’s really easy to make:
- take 1/4 cup of pureed pumpkin, an egg, 1 tbsp. of honey, and 1 tbsp. of milk;
- mix the ingredients well;
- apply the mixture on your face and leave it for about 20 minutes;
- wash the mask off with warm water.
Pumpkin may help reduce the risk of cancer
Some studies suggest that beta-carotene may help lower the risk of cancer, including lung, colon, and prostate cancers.
Pumpkin may help improve blood sugar
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There are studies that show that pumpkin can help lower blood sugar levels and increase the production of insulin. More research is needed to measure its effectiveness, but it seems that adding pumpkin to your diabetes-friendly diet won’t hurt.