A series of Pumpkin Benefits You Can Get

By the fasting month, pumpkin is often processed into compote. Not only delicious to eat, but there are also various benefits of pumpkin that you can get for health. You can use pumpkin from meat to seeds. At least, there are 19 vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, fiber, and various other nutrients contained in pumpkin. In 100 grams of pumpkin, there are 6.5 grams of carbohydrates, 26 calories, 1 gram of protein, 2.7 grams of sugar, 21 milligrams of calcium, 340 mg of potassium, and 12 mg of magnesium. This yellow or orange fruit is one of the healthiest and nutrient dense foods that you can consume in various ways.

Benefits of Pumpkin for Health

Here are the various benefits of pumpkin that you need to know, including:

• Lose weight

Pumpkin is rich in fiber which can slow down the digestive process. So, it can make you full longer. In a cup of canned pumpkin, there are at least about seven grams of fiber. More fiber in the pumpkin, compared to the two slices of whole wheat bread you usually eat at breakfast. Not only does it make you full longer, fiber also has benefits to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, overcome constipation, strengthen the immune system, and maintain intestinal health. In addition, pumpkin is also low in calories and contains lots of water that can hydrate you well.

• Reducing the risk of getting cancer

Pumpkin contains vitamins and beta carotene. Beta carotene which is processed into vitamin A in the body is very good for the health of your eyes and skin. In addition, this content is also an antioxidant that can fight free radicals as a cause of cancer. People who are diligent in consuming foods rich in beta carotene, have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer and prostate cancer. However, the safe dose of beta carotene and the recommended portion of pumpkin needed to obtain this property, still needs to be studied further.

• Good for heart health

Another benefit of pumpkin is to maintain the health of your heart. Research shows that regular consumption of fruits or vegetables such as pumpkin every day as part of a healthy diet rich in fiber, low cholesterol, and carbohydrates, can reduce the risk of heart attack by 7%.

• Helps improve memory and concentration

Pumpkin is an excellent source of lutein. Lutein is one of the carotenoid vitamins which is closely related to vitamin A and beta carotene. This content plays an important role for eye health. In addition, the content of lutein can also improve cognitive function, including the ability to learn, remember, and concentrate. Eating pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seeds can help maintain brain health, and help improve your memory and concentration. At least, about 225 grams of pumpkin contains more than 200 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin A for each person every day. Because the content of this fat soluble vitamin is quite high in pumpkins, it is recommended not to consume too much pumpkin, so that vitamin A poisoning does not occur.

• Increase endurance

If you are often affected by diseases, such as coughs or colds, it does not hurt from now on you regularly consume pumpkin. Because it turns out, the antioxidant properties in vitamins A and C in pumpkin, can increase your endurance. This can help the body fight viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

• Improve mood

Not only the meat, the benefits of pumpkin are also found in the seeds. Pumpkin seeds are a source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that can be converted into serotonin, a chemical associated with sleep and happiness. Because your body doesn't make tryptophan yourself, eating pumpkin seeds can make you sleep more easily and have a better mood.

• Make skin youthful

The content of beta carotene in this fruit can protect you from the effects of ultraviolet rays that can cause skin damage, such as wrinkles. In addition to being eaten, pumpkin can also be used as a face mask, which is useful for making your skin look young. How to make a pumpkin mask is mashed ¼ cup of pumpkin, then mix one tablespoon of honey and milk on the pumpkin. After that, apply on the face and let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

In addition to some of the benefits above, pumpkin is also good for consuming babies who have received MPASI. Knowing the benefits of pumpkin, there is no longer any reason not to like it, right? You can consume pumpkin directly or processed into delicious foods, such as compote, pie, porridge, or soup, which still provides health benefits for the body.