Pumpkin is not just for
Halloween. It's a super-food, rich with healthful attributes
Pumpkin Power! Superfood
Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!
by Sylvia Riley
Pumpkin is at the heart of
Halloween festivities, and for many is the only experience they have
of the squash all season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin
carving rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy
pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes are just
as worth getting excited about and that it would be foolish not to
eat the remaining flesh left over from your pumpkin carving. (As a
note, if you're rolling up your sleeves ready to tackle your orange
fellow there are plenty of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas
available on the internet).
Pumpkin is a superfood
indeed. In fact, it's not just the inner meat of a pumpkin that's
virtuous but its seeds are super nutritous too and contain a wealth
of health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and squash,
pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much celebrated by
Native American Indians who made use of their flesh and seeds for
culinary and medicinal purposes. Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and
vitamins C and E, magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity
and variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant natural
sources of these amazing phytonutrients.
Dietary carotenoids
correlate with lower a risk of numerous cancers, heart disease,
cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin contains heaps of beta-carotene as
well as a huge concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter
of a cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene
protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has also been
discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.
Both alpha- and
beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A within the body, which
plays an essential role in growth, development and immunity.
Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
and prevents cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead
to stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium, potassium and
folate in pumpkin heightens its heart-friendly attributes.
Beta-carotene works most effectively in combination with other
carotenoids and has been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon
cancer in particular.
When exploring pumpkin
recipes experiment with other squashes too. There are numerous types
in all shapes and sizes with many similar nutritional values. One
tasty alternative is the butternut squash.
Pumpkins yield delicious and
highly nutritious seeds. Known as pepitas, they are dark green and
flat with a chewy texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are
dense in minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing
approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium and
iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous, potassium,
selenium, manganese and copper. They also contain the amino acid
tryptophan known for anti-depressant qualities, and essential fatty
acids.
The dark green oil produced
from pumpkin seeds has been used throughout history in India, Europe
and America to fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help
with prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been
recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its high
content of essential fatty acids.
Pumpkin seeds have been
found to help prevent against prostate gland enlargement due to the
chemical substances called cucurbitacins it contains. The essential
fatty acids in pumpkin seeds are also necessary for prostate health,
and zinc (which pumpkin seeds are especially high in) is great for
the reproductive systems and has been shown to reduce prostate size.
The L-tryptophan in pumpkin
seeds is known to have anti-depressant properties, so it is
suggested eating them can elevate your mood. Pumpkin seeds also
contain omega-3 fatty acids known for their role in improving mental
function, alleviating depression and aiding memory. Both the omega-3
and omega-6 essential fatty acids in pumpkin seeds have a broad
range of health functions in the body.
So, for a smashing pumpkin
Halloween, as well enjoying carving pumpkins, check out some tasty
pumpkin recipes so you can benefit from the super healthy flesh of
your pumpkin carving remains, and throw a handful of pumpkin seeds
on top for that extra nutritional boost!
About the author: MIRACLE
SUPERFOODS:
http://www.miracle-superfoods.com MANIFESTING SECRETS:
http://www.manifestingsecrets.co.uk MIRACLE MIND:
http://www.miracle-mind.com
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