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This is a guest post by Toby Sanford of 121doc
If you are looking for ways in which to meet your 5-a-day quota without growing bored with the same fruit and vegetables day in day out, then add a pumpkin to your shopping basket this October.
Halloween’s favourite orange vegetable is loaded with essential health properties and simple to adapt as a meal or snack making it one of the most versatile and undervalued health foods available. Pumpkin’s work in the following ways to keep your general health intact:
1. It protects against heart disease and cancer.
Pumpkins are very rich in carotenoids, which are types of antioxidants. It’s a known fact that infections contribute to heart disease, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Additionally, viruses are responsible for the development of some forms of cancer. Carotenoids can help strengthen the immune system, thereby lowering the potential risk of heart disease and cancer.
2. Stimulates weight loss
The pumpkin is a low-calorie food; it provides just 26 cal per 100 g and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. This vegetable is also rich a source of dietary fibre and minerals. Because of its abundance of nutritional values, pumpkin is seen as a sensible dietary choice for controlling weight management.
3. Loaded with essential vitamins
Pumpkins are bursting with vitamin A, providing roughly 246% of RDA. Vitamin A intake is necessary for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes; it is also crucial for promoting healthy vision. Studies have concluded that natural foods rich in vitamin A help protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.
4. Stabilizes cholesterol and blood pressure
Pumpkins contain a powerful antioxidant called beta-carotene, which is a well known anti-inflammatory agent. This substance acts by preventing a build-up of cholesterol on the arterial walls; this in turn lowers the chance of stroke. Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is also associated with lowering the risk of high blood pressure.
5. Slows the ageing process
Pumpkins exploit an antioxidant called zea-xanthin, which has ultra-violet rays filtering actions in the eyes. It essentially serves to protect from a disorder called age-related macular disease (ARMD), more so in elderly people. If left untreated, macular degeneration can result in blindness.
6. Synchronizes bowel movements
For the majority of patients who develop colon cancer, hemorrhoids, fistula and fissure, there is usually a history of bowel problems. It can often be put down to chronic habit constipation. Consuming a high fibre food, such as pumpkin helps you meet the daily requirement of 25-30 grams and live to avoid such health complications.
7. Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Eating pumpkin is said to reduce inflammation, without producing many of the known side effects of anti-inflammatory medicines.
8. Boost’s prostate health
Pumpkins are useful for promoting overall prostate health and alleviating the problem of difficult urination that is associated with an enlarged prostate.
9. Offers relief from depression
The pumpkin contains a substance called L-tryptophan, which has been found to be effective against widespread mental health disorders, such as depression.
10. Distracts from snacking
And finally, a fun tip to test your creative ability; the pumpkin is best known as a canvas on which to carve out a scary face. Resist snacking between meals by getting to work on creating your own Halloween pumpkin design.
121doc is a licensed online clinic that offers accessible private healthcare to UK patients. For general health advice, including weight loss tips or to order prescription treatment with next-day delivery, visit www.121doc.co.uk
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