Pumpkins are often associated with fall holidays and carving jack-o-lanterns. But have you considered why you should eat more pumpkin?
Pumpkin is high in vitamins, low in calories, high in antioxidants, packed with fiber, and full of potassium. Pumpkin can aid in weight loss and improve your overall health.
While the orange squash may not be on your radar throughout the year, there are several reasons it’s a great addition to your diet. Let’s dive into why pumpkin is an excellent addition to your diet.
5 Benefits Of Eating Pumpkin
You don’t have to wait for fall to cook with pumpkin. Instead, you can find canned pumpkins at your local grocery store, and the good news is that it’s also incredibly inexpensive. Now, let’s consider why you should add pumpkin to your shopping list.
Pumpkin Is Loaded With Vitamins
One of the best reasons you should eat more pumpkin is because it is loaded with vitamins to keep you healthy. While supplements are a way to get your vitamins in, it’s much better to get vitamins from foods.
Pumpkin contains the following vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Folate
Eating foods rich in vitamins helps boost your immunity system and can prevent certain illnesses. For example, Vitamin A can help you fight infections, while Vitamin C can increase white blood cell production. Vitamin A can also help lower your risk of certain cancers.
Pumpkin Is Low In Calories
If you watch your waistline, you will appreciate that pumpkin is low in calories. Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food, meaning it’s low-calorie but loaded with nutrients.
One serving of pumpkin, about one cup, contains about 90 calories. However, you want to ensure you buy 100% pure pumpkin to avoid additives. While pumpkin pie is a way to get your nutrients in, it may not be the answer to weight loss.
Pumpkin Is High In Antioxidants
The antioxidants in pumpkin can help you improve vision and slow the development of macular degeneration. In addition, antioxidants may lower your risk for certain chronic diseases. Some of the antioxidants found in pumpkin include:
- Alpha-carotene
- Beta-carotene
- Beta-cryptoxanthin
Antioxidants can also protect your skin from UV rays and improve its appearance and texture.
Pumpkin Is Packed With Fiber
Eating foods high in fiber can aid in weight loss and benefit heart health. For example, one cup of pumpkin provides 7 grams of fiber, roughly one-third of the suggested daily amount. Fiber is essential in having healthy bowel movements, avoiding constipation, helping control blood sugar levels, and aids in lowering cholesterol levels.
Pumpkin Is Full Of Potassium
You don’t need to rely on bananas to get your daily potassium. Pumpkin contains nearly 400 mg of potassium in one serving, which is only slightly less than that in a banana. Potassium is beneficial to your diet because it can help avoid hypertension by lowering your blood pressure.
In addition, potassium can lower your risk of kidney stones, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Potassium-loaded pumpkin can also boost bone health by increasing bone mineral density.
