Health Benefits of the Humble Pumpkin
By on 27 October 2016
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Pumpkin is a widely grown vegetable that is incredibly rich in vital antioxidants, and vitamins. Low in calories, it carries vitamin A, and flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, xanthin, and carotenes in abundance.
Health benefits of Pumpkin
- It is very low in calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins
- Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.
- At 7384 mg per 100 g, it features the highest levels of vitamin-A, providing about 246% of RDA.
- Also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as a, ß carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zea-xanthin. Carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.
- Zea-xanthin is a natural anti-oxidant which has UV (ultra-violet) rays filtering actions in the macula lutea in retina of the eyes. So, it may offer protection from "age-related macular disease" (ARMD).
- It is a good source of B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.
- A rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are an excellent source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for heart health. In addition, the seeds are concentrated sources of protein, minerals and health-benefiting vitamins. The seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to GABA in the brain.
