Reaping the Health Benefits of Pumpkin This Fall
By Brandi Swieter
The fall season is notorious for bringing many pumpkin desserts and dishes to the table. Pumpkins grow large for carving, leaving plenty of puree and seeds to use for recipes. What’s so great about this fall craze is the benefits it actually brings. People who eat pumpkin reap the health benefits when they do so.
Aids Vision
Just like carrots, the orange pumpkin contains beta-carotene. This substance helps to produce extra Vitamin A in the body, which has been know to aid vision and help people see better particularly when the light starts to dim. Those who would prefer something other than carrots to eat for their eyes can switch between the two orange choices.
Keeps People Full
Getting full and staying full are two different things. Many people who struggle with weight loss find it difficult to stay full, needing to snack more frequently throughout the day to keep themselves satisfied. Pumpkin contains plenty of fiber and not a lot of calories, making it beneficial to eat for those who need a way to stay satisfied for longer. A pumpkin a day may just become the new saying for fall months, replacing the fiber-rich apple.
Provides a Boost of Potassium
Bananas have long been recognized as a fruit filled with potassium. Consuming one after a workout can help the muscles recover quicker so they remain in peak shape. They are even suggested during pregnancy to rid the body of common leg cramps. Switch out bananas in the fall for pumpkin because the orange fruit has even more potassium in it. Just one cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than 500 milligrams, while bananas only have about 400.
Boosts Heart Health
The fiber found in pumpkin isn’t only good for feeling full. It also boosts heart health. Those who consume a fiber-rich diet are much less likely to experience coronary heart disease. Anyone already struggling with heart problems should add pumpkin to their diet to help combat the issue. Focus on using the seeds and pure pumpkin for healthy recipes, rather than turning them into desserts that still have added sugar that can quickly undo the benefits.
Pumpkin pie may not be the most healthy option, but there are plenty of ways to use pumpkin that do allow people to reap the benefits. With Vitamin A, fiber, and potassium within it, pumpkin has the potential to be an incredibly healthy source of nutrition. Use it while you can this fall.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Anderson, S.C.