Cheeses and other dairy products, healthy foods? This says, Harvard.
Autumn is the perfect season to taste one of the iconic fruits of the harvest, one that, over the years, has gained popularity for being the protagonist in Thanksgiving, Halloween, and even Day of the Dead celebrations.
We refer to winter squash, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and originating in North America.
These seasonal fruits are characteristic for their color ranging from yellow to orange and striated or rough skin thick enough to keep the interior long.
It is also famous for its dense flavor with firm flesh used in unique stews such as soups, pieces of bread, and desserts, as well as its multiple health benefits that help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, say experts from the State University. From Michigan.
Next, we leave you with eight benefits of eating pumpkin, according to specialists.
1. They are nutritious and low in calories
Among its nutrients are vitamin A, C, B2, and E, iron, potassium, fiber, copper, and manganese.
2. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases
According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the antioxidants alpha-carotene and beta carotene neutralize free radicals preventing them from damaging the body’s cells and being attacked by diseases like hypertension, cancer, inflammation, and respiratory diseases common this season.
3. Increases immunity
Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins that boost the immune system and help fight infection, prevent arthritis, and make wounds heal faster.
4. Benefits heart health
Being rich in potassium, pumpkin helps counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure, suggests a study cited by Harvard where a group of mice was given polysaccharides to lower cholesterol.
5. Helps maintain good eye health
Because of its vitamin A content, winter squash is linked to good eye health, indicates a study published in the US National Library of Medicine.
Together with lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin A reduces the risk of vision loss, the appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration and makes it more potent as the body ages.
6. Promotes weight loss
The nutrient density and low calories promote weight loss, keep you feeling full longer, and provide a generous amount of fiber per day to help curb your appetite.
It is undeniable that more and more, the old traditions of the deceased typical of these dates are irretrievably replaced by others that of ours have very little. And it is that, in recent times, the Anglo-Saxon custom has been installed in such a way that, for weeks, the pumpkin becomes the protagonist left and right, decorated with the terrifying faces. I wonder how many people who decorate them know why they do it and what it means. However, I will not dwell on this. What’s more, the third changed it radically.
How about we talk about the pumpkins themselves? They go almost unnoticed before us during the rest of the year, except to be part of one of our stews or stews or to be the protagonist of authentic pastry delicacies. But … do we know what its properties and benefits are? Let’s know a little more about them …
Even though they first arrived in Europe more than five centuries ago, from America, only today we are beginning to know their culinary and nutritional possibilities. And it is that the pumpkin is one of those foods to which justice has not yet been done.
Digestive, delicious, and with an attractive appearance, this exceptional food boasts many varieties of sizes and colors. There are yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and even gray. And in terms of size, they usually weigh between 2 and 8 kg, although sometimes they exceed 35 kg. And well, there are the giant pumpkins that can reach up to 600 kg.
Regarding the shape, the best known and most used are the varieties of “citron,” which are pear-shaped, with a jelly-like pulp and an intense yellow color and, on the other hand, confectionery or angel hair, which here in the Canary Islands, we call it, swamp. But as I say, there are many more.
Properties and benefpumpkin icies
A distant relative of the cucumber, watermelon, or cantaloupe, squash has similar nutrients to these. It is rich in vitamins of group B, C, and E and essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, or zinc … And also provides you with very few calories. What more could you ask for?
As for its benefits, it is advisable for all ages, but especially in childhood, since it generally contributes to the excellent condition of the skin, bones, and teeth. And on the other hand, they highly recommend it during pregnancy and lactation.
Beyond this, if consumed regularly, it also has many other benefits for other health problems:
For hypertension. By not having sodium, it helps the symptoms of people who suffer from it to strengthen. And in turn, it is also preventive since the high amount of potassium has helped regulate blood pressure, and in general, for the entire cardiovascular system.
For the stomach. The pumpkin incorporates a substance that encourages mucosa production that lines the walls of the stomach and protects it. For this reason, its habitual consumption is highly recommended in people who have related problems such as gastritis, heavy or slow digestion, heartburn, heartburn, or gastroduodenal ulcers.
For diabetes. Despite being sweet, the sugars they have are absorbed very slowly and do not overload the pancreas. In addition, being rich in fiber and other nutrients, it is highly beneficial for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, but also hypoglycemia.
For the view. As we have seen, pumpkin is exceptionally rich in nutrients, and one of them is vitamin A. This makes it essential to prevent degenerative diseases of the eye and, in general, for good visual health.
For fluid retention. It is rich in potassium and is a powerful ally against fluid retention and, therefore, against edema. Consequently, it helps to stimulate the processes of urine production and expulsion, avoiding the retention, not only of the liquid but of many toxins that our body accumulates.
As an antioxidant. The more orange it is, the better. The intensity of the color indicates that it has certain chemicals that, when in contact with the digestive system, are transformed into antioxidants. This makes it a beneficial vegetable for many things … From preventing cell aging to strengthening the immune system.
As a natural slimming agent, being a versatile food that can be eaten in countless ways without affecting its properties, it is ideal for those who want to lose weight. This, together with its high fiber content and its delicious flavor, makes it ideal for including it as a “hunger killer” in slimming diets.