Surprising Health Benefits of Pumpkins

Pumpkins Can Be Good for Your Health

We are nearing the end of October when the fall weather is producing lots of gorgeous leaves, but also ripe pumpkins in the fields. It’s a great time to go pumpkin picking, not just for a fall pumpkin to carve, but also for the surprising health benefits of pumpkins.

 

Pumpkins are incredibly healthy vegetables that are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are good for your body. This orange vegetable that we carve in the fall for decorations is considered a superfood for our health. Pumpkins contain beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and folate, which can help strengthen your immune system. Adding pumpkin to your diet can help your immune cells work better, help fight off germs, and speed the healing of cuts and bruises.

Pumpkins also contain carotenoids, a pigment that works as an antioxidant. Carotenoids can help lower your risk of certain cancers. Other than being packed with lots of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are also relatively low in calories, as like watermelon it’s 94% water.

 

Pumpkin May Help Protect Your Eyesight

 

As we age our eyes age with us and it’s quite common for eyesight to lessen with age. Eating the right nutrients can help lower your risk of worsening eyesight. Pumpkins are endowed with so many nutrients that have been linked with strong eyesight as our bodies age. Pumpkin has beta-carotene which provides your body with vitamin A. Pumpkin is also one of the best sources for lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that can lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

 

Pumpkins May Promote Weight Loss

 

There are two reasons that pumpkins might help you lose weight; one is their nutrient density and the other is that eating pumpkins makes you feel full. Pumpkin is considered a nutrient-dense food because of the ratio of low calories combined with nutrients. You can consume more of this healthy vegetable than other carbohydrate sources compared to rice or potatoes because it has fewer calories. Pumpkin is packed with fiber which is why it can help you feel full and help curb your appetite.

 

Pumpkins Can Be Good for Your Face

 

Believe it or not, pumpkins can have multiple benefits for your face. Pumpkin is full of antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which can help soften and soothe dry skin. Pumpkin can also help boost collagen production which can keep your skin from looking dry or scaly.

Pumpkin masks are a great way to feed your skin. Just wash your face as usual, then apply this mask to your clean and dry skin. You’ll let it sit on your face for about 20 minutes until it begins to dry, and then rinse it off with cool water, pat dry, and apply your usual moisturizer.

Pumpkin Mask Recipe

You can use this mask 1-2 times a week, of course, your skin’s condition would let you know how often is best for you.

Combine pumpkin puree, honey, and lemon juice so that it becomes a smooth paste consistency in your blender or food processor. Since it’s best to use this mask fresh I only make up one portion at a time. I use about 2 tablespoons puree to 1 tablespoon honey and then add in about 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice.

My alternate recipe uses pumpkin puree, egg, honey, and apple cider vinegar to make up a mask. In this second mask, I used 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and also apple cider vinegar. You can blend this combination in your blender or food processor. This mask is good for combination and oily skin too. The apple cider vinegar can help with acne.

Because pumpkin contains lutein, zeaxathin, vitamin E, and many more antioxidants, pumpkin can help boost your skin’s defenses against UV rays that can harm your skin.

 

The Best Way to Eat Pumpkins

 

Pumpkins are technically a fruit because they have seeds, but most of us view pumpkins as vegetables. One of the simplest ways is to cook pumpkin as a vegetable. Just slice a small pumpkin in half. scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and cook in a 400-degree oven till a toothpick comes out clean.

Cooking pumpkin as a fruit you can slice the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, cut into 3/4-inch slices like an arch, and then toss in a bowl with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Lay out the pumpkin arches on a parchment-covered cookie sheet and cook in a 400-degree oven till a toothpick comes out clean. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve the individual slices as a dessert.

 

Pumpkins Are Healthy for Your Heart

 

 

Pumpkins are high in potassium, which is a key ingredient for heart health. A cup of pumpkin provides about 16% of your recommended potassium a day. Pumpkins are also heart healthy because they are loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, all of which can help prevent heart disease.

 

Roast Your Pumpkin Seeds for a Healthy Snack

 

Pumpkin seeds are not only a healthy snack but they are also a good addition to your salad as a heart-healthy garnish. When carving or cutting your pumpkin for roasting, separate the pumpkin seeds from all the other goopy innards, rinse them off, and put them on a paper towel to dry off.

 

Simple Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

• Dried pumpkin seeds
• Olive oil
• Your favorite spices

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, distribute the pumpkin seeds on the paper being sure not to overcrowd, spray with olive oil, and dust with your favorite spices. Watch the contents so the pumpkin seeds don’t burn. You want them a golden brown. Once they are finished roasting you can use them immediately or store them in an airtight plastic bag for up to a week.

If you like ourselves are thinking ahead to the holiday season, give us a call at 707-827-3316 to book your pre-holiday or post-holiday cleaning now, or fill out our Free Estimate form and one of our cleaning professionals will be in touch promptly to answer your questions.