Pumpkin, squash or ahuyama is a vegetable native to Central America belonging to the genus cucurbitaceae, like cucumber or melon. The different names of this product refer to different species, sizes and colors. It is a highly valued vegetable for its important nutritional values.
Its properties make this vegetable a very beneficial culinary component for our health. So, in this article you can find the numerous benefits of pumpkin on our health
Pumpkin is a vegetable with an important presence in the gastronomy of a large number of countries and cultures since it was exported to Europe. Although there are different varieties, most have similar nutritional properties. Its taste is sweet although it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Pumpkin is rich in fiber and one of the vegetables with the highest concentration of antioxidants. It is low in sodium and carbohydrates, hypocaloric and high in potassium. Besides It is rich in vitamins and it has a high percentage of water, making it a nutritious vegetable without being very caloric. Its nutritional values ​​per hundred grams are approximately twenty-eight kilocalories, 1.4g of fiber, 0 cholesterol, 0.1g of fat and 5.6g of carbohydrates.
Not only is its meat used, but its seeds are also beneficial due to its high magnesium content (although these are not so low in calories). The leaves of the plant from which it arises also have beneficial properties.
The benefits of pumpkin
The health benefits of pumpkin are many and diverse, which make it an interesting product to incorporate into our diet. Some of the most notable benefits are detailed below.
1. Suitable for people with digestive problems
Pumpkin or squash are easy to digest and contain mucilage that protects the stomach mucosa, so people with heartburn or digestive problems can eat it without causing discomfort. In addition, It is a soft food which has even been recommended as one of the first solid foods for babies.
2. Keeps hypertension and heart problems at bay
People with hypertension can consume it safely, since it is a low-sodium food. It is also beneficial for reducing blood cholesterol. The seeds are a source of magnesium , which contributes to the good health of the cardiovascular system. In addition, it provides useful minerals for the cardiovascular system, such as iron.
3. It has diuretic action
The genitourinary system also benefits from the consumption of pumpkin, since the high water content of This plant promotes diuresis, being useful in kidney problems In fact, it helps prevent the formation of stones in these organs, as well as reducing fluid retention.
4. Anti-inflammatory food
The consumption of pumpkin has proven anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce various inflammations.
5. Good for diabetics
Pumpkin has few calories, few sugars and few carbohydrates, so it is suitable for consumption by diabetics (although each subject must take into account their particular nutritional needs).
Furthermore, studies with rats showed that pumpkin It is useful for raising insulin levels in the blood , so if these results are replicated in humans, they could help reduce the number of times type 1 diabetics or insulin-dependent people have to inject it. In some of the experiments, it even helped regenerate damaged cells in the pancreas of rodents.
6. Contributes to good digestion and weight loss
Another benefit of pumpkin is that it allows good gastrointestinal motility and, being nutritious and highly satiating, it is very low in calories and has few carbohydrates. It also has a high fiber and water content. All this makes It is useful for those people who want to lose weight or have gastrointestinal problems.
7. Increase energy level
It is common to hear that after doing a large amount of exercise or physical effort in general, many people resort to eating bananas to recover energy due to their high potassium content and thus regenerate the level of energy that the muscles need to function correctly.
But bananas are not the only product that contains a high level of potassium. In fact, pumpkin contains an even greater amount than this fruit, so It is an effective and healthy alternative to recover energy
8. Prevents anemia
Despite being a low-calorie product, consuming pumpkin helps prevent anemia because it has a large amount of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Especially if eaten raw.
9. Helps prevent different types of cancer
Beta-carotene and the antioxidants it contains are very useful in preventing different types of cancer. Among them some types of melanomas. In the case of men, it also helps prevent prostate cancer due to the phytosterols and lycopene present in pumpkin seeds.
Being one of the vegetables richest in antioxidants and having a high beta-carotene content, pumpkin is beneficial in regenerative processes and allows cells to take longer to age due to oxidation These effects mean that, in addition to food consumption, pumpkin is used in different cosmetic products.
11. Helps regulate mood and sleep better
Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of tryptophan, a component necessary for the generation of various neurotransmitters. In addition It also provides zinc, which is useful for the health of the immune system Pumpkin therefore helps the body generate hormones that allow it to relax and reduce stress.
