You must have heard the name of Pumpkin or Pumpkin. Pumpkin is used to make many types of dishes in the kitchen. At the same time, in the medical world, pumpkin is considered beneficial for health due to its medicinal properties. In this article, we are talking about the advantages, uses and disadvantages of pumpkin. Pumpkin is a vegetable rich in many types of nutrients. Consuming this can help in avoiding many types of diseases. At the same time, if someone is ill, then taking it on the advice of a doctor can help in recovering from the symptoms of the disease.
Let us come straight to the point and know in detail about the advantages of pumpkin.
Benefits of Pumpkin
According to research published on the website of ANCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), pumpkin has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic properties, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-inflammatory and many more. Important properties include ( 1 ). How these properties found in pumpkin can be beneficial for health, here we are elaborating below.
1. The advantages of pumpkin to lose weight
Overweight and obesity can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain types of cancer as well as many problems ( 2 ). A training was done on the mice to find out the same effect of the pumpkin. According to this research published on the website of ANCBI, extracts of pumpkin stem may be helpful in reducing obesity and increasing weight problem to some extent. Actually, research has found that pumpkin stem has anti-ovidity properties. These properties may be beneficial in reducing obesity and excess fat ( 3 ). At the moment, only research has been done on animals in this regard. Research on humans remains to be done.
2. Benefits of eating pumpkin to reduce the symptoms of cancer
Cancer is a fatal disease, with many serious consequences. Pumpkin can help protect against this disease. According to a research published on the website of ANCBI, pumpkin has anti-cancer properties, which can help prevent cancer from growing. According to research, this property found in pumpkin may be beneficial in preventing breast cancer and prostate cancer from flourishing (4) . In addition, another research has found that pumpkin also has anti-carcinogenic properties ( 1 ). Keep in mind that pumpkin cannot cure cancer. Treatment given by a doctor can be beneficial for the treatment of cancer.
3. Rich in Vitamin-A
Pumpkin contains many nutrients, one of which is vitamin-A. It contains approximately 8513 IU of vitamin A ( 5 ). Vitamin-A is believed to be beneficial for health in many ways. It can be beneficial for healthy teeth, strong bones, tissues, and skin. In addition, vitamin-A has also been considered important during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This vitamin can also prove to be helpful in relieving eye problems ( 6 ).
4. Benefits of pumpkin to control diabetes
Increasing the amount of sugar in the blood can cause the risk of diabetes. Nowadays it has become a common problem among the people, so pumpkin can be used to avoid it. According to a research published by ANCBI, methanol is found in pumpkin, which may help reduce the level of glucose present in the blood. In addition, pumpkin also has anti-diabetic properties, which may be effective in reducing symptoms of type-2 diabetes to some extent ( 7 ).
5. Benefits of eating pumpkin for the immune system
The immune system needs to be strong to fight against diseases. Pumpkin consumption can be beneficial for this. According to a journal paper, pumpkin contains vitamin-A, vitamin-C, vitamin-E and beta-carotene, as well as a good amount of fiber, riboflavin, potassium, copper and manganese. All these nutrients can help reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, as well as strengthen the immune system. Research has also suggested intake of pumpkin-rich food for the immune system and good health ( 8 ).
6. Benefits of Pumpkin for Healthy Eyes
Eyes are precious. This is the reason that special attention should be paid to eye health. According to a research, pumpkin intake can be beneficial for the eyes. Beta-carotene is also included in many nutrients found in pumpkin. This nutrient acts as an antioxidant, which is converted into vitamin A in the body and helps to keep the eyes healthy. Also helps to protect from degenerative eye disease i.e. eye problems that occur with aging ( 8 ).
7. Benefits of eating pumpkin for heart health
According to a research paper published on the NCBI website, bad cholesterol (LDL) can increase the risk of heart disease. Pumpkin is considered beneficial to overcome this problem. Actually, pumpkin has antioxidant properties. According to research, antioxidants may be beneficial in reducing bad cholesterol. It can also prevent oxidative stress and dyslipidemia, ie abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood, which can reduce the risk of heart disease (9) . In addition, beta-carotene found in pumpkin, which is an antioxidant, may reduce the risk of heart disease (10) .
8. Benefits of pumpkin to control blood pressure
Pumpkin can control blood pressure as well as many diseases. Actually, 340 milligrams of potassium is found in 100 grams of pumpkin (5) . According to a research published on the NCBI website, potassium intake may be a good nutrient for the prevention and treatment of hypertension (11) .
9. Benefits of Pumpkin for Skin
Pumpkin can be beneficial for health as well as skin. According to a research paper published by NCBI, pumpkin contains beta carotene, which has antioxidant properties. This property can help protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. In addition, research has found that linoleic acid present in pumpkin seeds may help reduce wrinkles, dryness, and cell damage to some extent ( 12 ).
After the benefits of pumpkin, here we are talking about the nutrients found in it.
Pumpkin Nutritive Ingredients
The properties of pumpkin are due to the nutrients found in it, which we are going to detail in the table below (:
| NUTRIENTS | QUANTITY PER 100 GRAMS |
|---|---|
| Water | 91.6 grams |
| Energy | 26 kcal |
| Calorie | 109 kilojoules |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Fat | 0.1 gram |
| Carbohydrate | 6.5 grams |
| Fiber | 0.5 gram |
| Sugar | 2.76 grams |
| MINERALS | |
| Calcium | 21 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Phosphorus | 44 mg |
| Potassium | 340 mg |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Zinc | 0.32 mg |
| Copper | 0.127 mg |
| Manganese | 0.125 mg |
| Selenium | 0.3 micrograms |
| VITAMIN | |
| vitamin C | 9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 0.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.298 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.061 mg |
| Follett | 16 micrograms |
| Choline | 8.2 mg |
| Vitamin-A, RAE | 426 mcg |
| Beta carotene | 3100 mcg |
| Vitamin-A, IU | 8513 IU |
| Vitamin E | 1.06 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1.1 mcg |
| LIPID | |
| Fatty Acid Total Saturated | 0.052 g |
| Fatty Acid Total Monounsaturated | 0.013 g |
| Fatty acid total polyunsaturated | 0.005 g |
After knowing the nutrients found in pumpkin, it is time to learn about its use.
Pumpkin use
Pumpkin is used in almost every kitchen. Here we are talking about some special uses of it.
- Pumpkin like other vegetables can also be made delicious.
- Pumpkin pudding can also be made by mixing it with milk.
- Even pumpkin laddus can be made.
- Those who do not like sweet, can use pumpkin sauce in their food.
- Pumpkin can also be used to make flavored rasam.
- Can make cupcakes made of pumpkin and gud for children.
Quantity: It is believed that consuming half a cup of pumpkin daily can be beneficial for health, but no scientific evidence is available. Therefore, if you want to consume pumpkin for the benefits of eating it, you can include it in your diet by asking the dietician about the right amount.
After the use of pumpkin we are talking about the loss of pumpkin.
Pumpkin Damage
The benefits of pumpkin can be given only when it is consumed in limited quantities. Pumpkin damage can also occur if consumed in excess. Below we are talking about the disadvantages of eating pumpkin. Which are as follows:
- Those who have a low level of sugar in their blood should avoid its intake, because the pumpkin contains an extract called methanol, which can reduce the level of glucose present in the blood ( 7 ).
- As we have already mentioned above, pumpkin is a good source of Vitamin-A ( 5 ). If the quantity of this beneficial vitamin is increased in the body, then it can cause problems in pregnancy and the baby who has a birth defect. ( 6 ).
- Also some people’s bodies may be sensitive to pumpkin. If they consume it, they may be allergic to pumpkin.
You have learned through this article that pumpkin can be beneficial for health in many ways. While the medicinal properties found in it can be beneficial for health, on the other hand its nutrients can help to overcome many skin problems. One thing to keep in mind here is that pumpkin can help reduce the symptoms of diseases, but cannot be an alternative to any medical treatment. After reading this article, if you have also thought of including pumpkin in your diet, then you can include it in the diet with the advice of your doctor. Explain the benefits of pumpkin, how this article was beneficial for you, do not forget to tell us through the comment box below.
