Pumpkin fruit is one of the widely grown vegetables, and it’s native to North and Central America. It is one of the most popular field crops cultivated around the world, including in the USA. Pumpkin and its seeds are loaded with many health benefits, and that’s the main reason it is used in medicines and home remedies for ages.
Nutrition Value of Pumpkin
It is great sources of manganese, tryptophan, magnesium, copper, phosphorous, zinc, iron, and protein, as well good amounts of B-complex vitamins, and vitamin A.
The best way to get all the benefits of Pumpkin is to make its smoothie, its delicious and simple.
Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 banana
1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
1tsp of cinnamon
1tbsp of pecan/almond butter
Directions:
Blend all the ingredient until smooth.
Add a teaspoon of maple syrup for an extra hint of sweetness, if desired.
You can even pour the smoothie into popsicle molds to make creamy pumpkin ice pops.
Health Benefits and Healing Power of Pumpkin
Sleep better
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of tryptophan which is an amino acid that our body converts into melatonin; known as the sleep hormone. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that helps you settle down and improve sleep cycle.
Sharper vision
Pumpkin’s orange coloring comes from its high value of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for eye health and helps the retina absorb and process light. Pumpkin also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that prevent cataracts and slow the development of age-related disease macular degeneration.
Prostate Cancer
Pumpkin seeds contain a compound called phytosterols can lower the risk of prostate cancer. It is shrinking the prostate and stimulating the secretion of chemicals that protect testosterone and ensure it does not transfer into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As high DHT levels can cause enlargement of the prostate glands.
Treat Diabetes
Pumpkin has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels due to low glycemic index, it improve glucose tolerance and increase the amount of insulin the body produces, and pumpkin seed oil is scientifically proven to be an antihyperglycemic, or natural diabetes treatment.
Lowers Blood Pressure
The high potassium content in pumpkins helps control high blood pressure. Its seeds are full of natural phytoestrogens, which are useful for preventing hypertension. Pumpkin seed oil contains 90 percent unsaturated fats as well as many fatty acids, helping to stabilize blood pressure levels.
Boost Immune
The combination of vitamin C and beta-carotene in pumpkin can help support your body’s immune system. Vitamin A helps with cellular communication, which protects body tissue against pathogens. Beta-carotene also has immune-stimulating properties.
Lower Depression
Its flesh contains L-tryptophan, a chemical compound that triggers feelings of happiness. Eating pumpkin daily can keep your spirits high and prevent depression and mood disorder.
Sources:
1) http://www.avogel.co.uk/food/ingredients/pumpkin/the-health-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds/
3) https://authoritynutrition.com/11-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds/
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