8 Health Benefits Of Pumpkin
By
Sarah Klein
Pumpkin bread, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie, pumpkin risotto,
pumpkin beer -- the options are endless, and endlessly mouthwatering.
It's finally pumpkin season, and the reasons to celebrate are many.
Not
only is fall's signature squash versatile enough to fit into all the
above and more, it also packs some powerful healthy perks -- like
keeping heart health, vision and waistlines in check, as long as you
take it easy on the pie, that is.
Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite health benefits of pumpkin. Let us know what else you love about pumpkins in the comments!
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1.Pumpkins Keep Eyesight Sharp
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2. Pumpkins Aid Weight Loss
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3. Pumpkin Seeds Can Help Your Heart
Nuts and seeds, including those of pumpkins, are
naturally rich in certain plant-based chemicals called phytosterols that
have been shown in studies to reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
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4. Pumpkins May Reduce Cancer Risk
Like their orange comrades the sweet potato, the
carrot and the butternut squash (to name a few), pumpkins boast the
antioxidant beta-carotene, which may play a role in cancer prevention, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Food sources of beta-carotene
seem to help more than a supplement, according to the NIH -- even more
reason to scoop up some pumpkin today. And the plant sterols in pumpkin
seeds have also been linked to fighting off certain cancers.
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5. Pumpkins Protect The Skin
The same free-radical-neutralizing powers of the carotenoids in pumpkin that may keep cancer cells at bay can also help keep the skin wrinkle-free, Health magazine reported.
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6. Pumpkin Seeds Can Boost Your Mood
Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acid
tryptophan, the famed ingredient in turkey that many think brings on the
need for that post-Thanksgiving feast snooze. While experts agree that
it's likely the overeating rather than the tryptophan lulling you to
sleep, the amino acid is important in production of serotonin, one of the major players when it comes to our mood, WebMD reports. A handful of roasted pumpkin seeds may help your outlook stay bright.
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7. Pumpkins Can Help After A Hard Workout
Ever heard of bananas being touted as nature's
energy bar? Turns out, a cup of cooked pumpkin has more of the refueling
nutrient potassium, with 564 milligrams to a banana's 422.
A little extra potassium helps restore the body's balance of
electrolytes after a heavy workout and keeps muscles functioning at
their best.
- 8. Pumpkins Can Boost Your Immune System