One of the biggest challenges of eating healthy meals is finding something that isn’t just good for you but is also delicious. Luckily, pumpkin products fill both requirements, so you can add more pumpkin to your diet without worrying about its impact on your body (though you should still avoid overly processed foods with tons of additives and preservatives).
That said, you may find yourself wondering what sets pumpkin apart from other foods you like but need to limit in your diet. If that sounds like a question you’re asking yourself, you’re in the right place – here are some of the many benefits of pumpkins and pumpkin products.
Pumpkins are High in Antioxidants
Pumpkins – and pumpkin products – are full of antioxidants, which fight the effect of free radicals on your body. Excessive free radicals in your body have been linked to chronic diseases, including cancer and heart issues. The antioxidants in pumpkin neutralize these effects and can also protect your skin against sun damage.
Antioxidants found in pumpkins include alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, among others.
Pumpkin Seeds are High in Magnesium
Just like other types of seeds you can grow, most parts of the pumpkin are beneficial to your health, including the seeds. If you’re worried about developing diabetes, pumpkin seeds are a great addition to your diet. They are high in magnesium, which helps regulate your blood sugar levels.
These seeds are also great for people who already have diabetes because it helps them maintain control over their blood sugar. Spikes in blood sugar are extremely harmful to people with diabetes, and the magnesium in pumpkin seeds reduces the risk of this happening.
If you’re not a fan of having the seeds raw, you can roast them or add them to salads. Alternatively, you can hide them in a favorite recipe or even opt for pumpkin seed oil as a replacement to add a nutty flavor to your meals – the oil allows you to get the benefit of the seeds without the added crunch, which is not a texture everyone enjoys.
Pumpkins are Great for Your Eyes
You’ve probably heard that carrots are good for your eyes – but they’re not the only orange vegetable that can boost eye health. If you’re looking to add variety to your diet and still protect your eyesight, pumpkins and pumpkin products are a great substitute.
Pumpkins are stuffed full of nutrients that can benefit your eyesight. These include vitamin A and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, all of which help reduce your vision from deteriorating as you age. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of blindness, which pumpkin helps prevent, and lutein and zeaxanthin protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Pumpkin Products Boost Heart Health
Other nutrients that are found in pumpkins and pumpkin products include:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Fiber
Along with antioxidants, these nutrients help protect your heart. They reduce the risk of strokes, lower your blood pressure, and prevent “bad” cholesterol from oxidizing, all of which are factors that have been linked to heart disease and heart attacks.
Aside from being full of vitamins and minerals that are great for you, pumpkin is also a great weight-loss food because of its low-calorie count. Given these benefits, you don’t have to stress about adding too much pumpkin to your diet – though you may still need to check the other ingredients in your favorite pumpkin products to confirm that they are healthy as well.
