Why we love pumpkin?

Posted by: Healthy Life & Beauty team in Food and Recipes, Must-Eat Foods 10/15/2014

Pumpkin season starts. Pumpkin is one of the healthiest foods that can and should be found on your menu. It’s delicious and affordable.

Pumpkin contain very little saturated fat, cholesterol, and salts thereof. A good source of vitamin E, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium and phosphorus. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, potassium, copper and manganese.

Will quickly saturate

30 grams of pumpkin seeds contains about 1.7 grams of fiber. Mashed pumpkin contains only 50 calories per cup, and as much as 3 grams of fiber.

Fiber will help you feel fuller for longer and your appetite will be kept under control. That way you’ll feel during the day less craving for snacks, especially carbohydrates.

Improves eye health

One cup of pumpkin contains more than the recommended daily dose of vitamin A, which is responsible for good vision. Studies have shown that pumpkin can reduce the risk of various eye diseases, including macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.

Several studies have shown that vitamin A may help in better health, skin, teeth, bones, and in the prevention of skin cancer and osteoporosis.

Regulates blood pressure

The oil from pumpkin seeds are rich in compounds that help prevent hypertension. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Studies have shown that people who daily consume oil from pumpkin seeds over a period of 12 weeks, had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Improves the quality of sleep

Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid that improves the quality of sleep. Tryptophan stimulates production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good, reduces stress and helps the body and mind to relax.

In addition to pumpkin seeds enhance sleep, increased levels of serotonin will improve your mood and reduce the risk of depression.

Improves heart health

Pumpkin is rich in fiber that improve the health of the entire cardiovascular system. One study has shown that a diet rich in fiber can the risk of coronary heart disease reduced by 40%.

The pumpkin will help to reduce chronic inflammation in the body, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. One study, conducted on laboratory rats showed that pumpkin can reduce the risk of blood clots.