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Did you know? The pumpkin is a berry! It is also one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, having been cultivated in Central America for over 7000 years. There are about 800 varieties of pumpkins, but only about 30 are regularly used in the kitchen. Pumpkins are great for preparing a variety of delicious dishes such as soups, casseroles, chutneys, cakes, and jams. Their kernels are also a healthy snacking alternative to chips and the like. High-quality pumpkin seed oil is also extracted from their oil.
So while Pumpkin is often overlooked as a food stuff and many of us just think about the vegetable at Halloween, you should actually be eating more of it. It’s great for you! If you don’t believe us then read on.
1. You will feel fuller
Pumpkins are an excellent source of fiber at almost 3g a cup with seeds that pack in 1.7g of fiber per cup. This is important because the recommended dietary intake is about 30g to 50g a day and most people are only getting about half this amount. But never fear, including a little more pumpkin or winter squash in your diet can help you meet this important requirement, furthermore, higher fiber content helps you to feel more satisfied after you eat by slowing the digestion and adjusting blood sugar levels.
2. You will sleep better
Pumpkin is an important source of tryptophan that the body needs to produce serotonin. This might be why people feel plenty sleepy after Thanksgiving Dinner, turkey is also a source of tryptophan. Serotonin plays an important role in managing the sleeping cycle. If you struggle to sleep, try a classic pumpkin soup recipe.
3. You will have a healthy heart
The more fiber in the diet the better your chances at avoiding many of the worst heart conditions plaguing society. This was exemplified in a study of over 67,000 women over a decade of observation.
4. You’ll increase your prostate health
There is a good reason that very man will want to include a good supply of pumpkin in their regular diet. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer plaguing American men today and one in every 7 men will likely be affected by this. It has been observed that zinc is an important nutrient that is lacking in those with prostate cancer and this has led researchers to conclude that zinc in the diet could contribute to the prevention of prostate cancer. For men who want to regain their prostate health, you may read the prostadine reviews from customers.
5. You will get magnesium
Magnesium is another important mineral that should be included in the diet. It is essential for generating ATP –– which is the energy units of the body –– it is also important to bowel functions, muscle growth and protecting and maintaining the nervous system. Around 80% of all Americans have been found to be deficient in Magnesium. The good news is that a single oz. of Pumpkins has almost 30% of the recommended dietary intake of magnesium.
6. You’ll feel the antioxidant benefits
Beta carotene is used in the body to produce Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that has been found effective at reducing the risks of cancer. But before it dos that it has many other effective uses in the body such as keeping the reproductive system healthy. There is hardly a better way to stay on top of your Vitamin A intake than including Pumpkin in the diet –– a half a cup contains over 900mg and only 42 calories.
7. When you eat some pumpkin, you burn the fat
Pumpkin is high in nutrients and very low in calories. With only 42 calories per cup and lots of fiber to keep you satisfied and away from cravings, pumpkin helps you burn away the fat and keep it off. Fiber also helps to manage blood sugar levels
8. It’ll keep your eyesight sharp
Vitamin A helps keep your eyesight on point and has been known to reduce instances of night blindness. But if your vision is distorted or blurry, or you have trouble seeing objects close up or far away, it might be time to get prescription glasses online.
9. You will have to eat less bananas
Bananas have taken center stage for their high content of healthy potassium. A deficiency of this important nutrient can lead to muscle fatigue, low energy levels and reduced reflexes. But now you can switch out some of your banana intake for 500mg in a cup of cooked pumpkin.
10. It will boost your mood
Serotonin deficiency is becoming a greater problem and health officials are concerned about it reaching epidemic proportions. It has been noted that almost 80% of the global population will fall under the cloud of depression from serotonin deficiency. This is one of the main reasons serotonin is essential to general wellness as it is a great defense against depression and anxiety.
One of the best ways you can protect yourself from the effects of this grave deficiency is by ensuring your diet is replete with tryptophan as found in pumpkins. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin and can greatly improve the mood and demeanor. So for a sunnier disposition and a world of health benefits, eat more pumpkins.
