Pumpkin is an extremely nutrient-dense food, meaning it is full of vitamins and minerals but low in calories.
There are many creative ways pumpkin can be incorporated into meals, including desserts, soups, salads and preserves.
Key points about pumpkins:-
1. The potassium contained within pumpkins can have a positive effect on blood pressure. The fibre, potassium, and vitamin C content in pumpkin all support heart health.
2. The antioxidants and vitamins contained within pumpkins could prevent degenerative damage to the eyes.
3. Pumpkin is one of the best-known sources of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that gives orange vegetables and fruits their vibrant colour. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body once it is eaten. Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, offer protection against asthma and heart disease, and delay aging and body degeneration.
4. Research has demonstrated a positive relationship between a diet rich in beta-carotene and a reduction in the occurrence of prostate cancer.
5. Plant foods like pumpkins that are high in both vitamin C and beta-carotene offer an immunity boost from their powerful combination of nutrients (Source:- Medical News Today)
6. Pumpkin are rich in fibre, which slows digestion and keeps you feeling fuller longer, so could help with weight loss.
7. Eating pumpkin can help you look younger (beta-carotene in pumpkin helps protect us from the sun's wrinkle-causing UV rays), but the pulp also makes a great, all-natural face mask that exfoliates and soothes. All you need is 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie), an egg, a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of milk. Mix, then apply it, wait for 20 minutes or so and wash it off with warm water (CNN).
8. Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan, the amino acid that contributes to sleepiness. Tryptophan is also responsible for helping the body make serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that helps you relax and unwind.
General: Pumpkins are low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Potassium, Copper and Manganese (Nutrition data).
Please use the link below for a delicious recipe for pumpkin soup.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-pumpkin-lentil-soup
