All About the Pumpkin
BY APRIL PASCARELLI
It’s that time when pumpkin lovers come out ready. Truthfully, they have been ready, since August. Ready to go all-in on pumpkin everything. Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin smoothies. Wait, what? Okay, that last one does sound good. But, why all the hype for this seed-filled squash that’s more like a fruit than a vegetable? Well, for starters, they are full of nutrition, from the seeds to the bright, vibrant flesh. And, they have everything from vitamins to minerals to omega3 fatty acids and more. Talk about beneficial! Keep reading to find out what this curated combo of rich nutrients can do for you.
Full of Fiber
Pumpkins are notorious for being packed with fiber. And fiber is essential for keeping things running smoothly. But it actually can help you in more ways than one. Perhaps the most common benefit that people think of when it comes to fiber is that it helps to keep the digestive system regular. In addition, fiber is filling, so that full feeling will keep you from mindlessly munching and potentially have you weighing in at less.
Essential for Eye Health
These orange gourds get their beautiful, bright coloring from a little something you may have heard of called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is part of a group known as pigments called carotenoids. It converts to Vitamin A within the body. One thing Vitamin A is good for is your vision! Compounds found in pumpkin such as lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked with lowering one’s risk of things like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Improve Immune Functions
Would you jump on the bandwagon if we told you this fall favorite may potentially up your immune system and possibly protect you from getting sick? Stacked with a slew of vitamins and minerals that help to fend off illness, pumpkin can be a great first-line defender. High in vitamin A, it is a major player in fighting off infections, Also high in Vitamin C, which can kick up white blood cell production. White blood cells work in conjunction with our bodies’ immune cells to keep them working more efficiently and effectively, as well as helping to heal wounds at a much quicker rate.
Reduce Risk for Disease
Pumpkin is full of antioxidants, which give your body solid fighting power against infection and disease. The high combination of antioxidants can help to combat free radicals within the body. Having an excess of free radicals in your body has led to a state known as oxidative stress. Once someone’s body gets into this zone, it’s not uncommon to see things such as heart disease and cancer. '
Get Glowing
When it comes to glowing skin, nutrition plays a big part. And pumpkins are pretty powerful at regulating oil and battling blemishes along the way. The high content, and super potent combo, of vitamins A and E, potassium, magnesium, fatty acids, and zinc work together to reduce oil
while also combatting dry skin and acne. Zinc helps to improve skin tone, as vitamin A helps to prevent acne scarring. Additionally, pumpkin is mega-rich in alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs help to exfoliate and renew while correcting tone. Plus, the high levels of lycopene will help to protect your outermost layer from more of those pesky free radicals.
The moral is, whether you’re team pumpkin or team pump-can’t, we don’t need Cinderella to tell us that these pumped-up powerhouses are something magical. They’re high in nutrients and low in calories consisting of more than 90% water (which adds them to the list of great hydrating foods, as well). They have more benefits than we can even list. So do your body a favor and add more of this flavor into your life. And speaking of, go for the real thing when it comes to this fall favorite. Be sure to opt-out of food and drinks that are artificially flavored with anything! Keep making those healthy swaps and keep the pumpkin plentiful. As they say, when we eat better, we feel (and look) better!