Pumpkin can be called a real gift of nature, tasty and healthy. These properties are recognized all over the world; many dishes are prepared from it, including desserts. The plant itself is absolutely unpretentious to grow, it is well stored and you can buy it all year round in any grocery store.
The plant came to Europe from South America, due to its unpretentiousness, it quickly took root and is grown to this day. It is believed that they knew about the pumpkin 5-8 hours ago. For some time, it was used exclusively for medicinal purposes, in particular, to remove worms and as a laxative. But soon, the vegetable entered the diet of an ordinary person and is still popular.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 28 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 1.3 |
| Fat in 100 g, (g): | 0.3 |
| Carbohydrates per 100 g, (g): | 7.7 |
| Glycemic index: | 25-75 |
Composition and calorie content of pumpkin, vitamins and minerals
The chemical composition of the pulp is very diverse, it contains almost all the B vitamins, vitamins K, E and C. The vegetable is famous for its high content of beta-carotene, which protects the body from the negative effects of the environment. There is 5 times more of this substance in pumpkin than in carrots.
The seeds of the crop are famous for their high zinc content. This is a real dietary product, as it has a low calorie content – only 22 units per 100 g of product.
Why is pumpkin useful?
To date, scientists have managed to establish many useful properties of pumpkin, namely:
- cleansing the body of toxins and toxins;
- decrease in pressure;
- stabilization of metabolic processes;
- bringing the water-salt balance back to normal;
- improving the digestive process;
- an increase in the amount of hemoglobin;
- increased immunity.
And of course – this is the antiparasitic effect of the use of seeds. However, these are not all useful properties, you can talk about them endlessly.
The benefits of pumpkin for women
The pulp of the plant is extremely useful for maintaining women’s health. It helps to saturate the body with iron, which means to establish the process of hematopoiesis. Helps maintain an optimal balance of nutrients in the body during menstruation.
The pulp is recommended to use to accelerate the healing of erosion of the cervix, with other vaginal and uterine diseases. It helps lower cholesterol levels and remove heavy metals. The plant helps the plant to cope with the manifestations of menopause, reducing symptoms.
The benefits of pumpkin for men
Pumpkin is no less useful for the male body, especially the juice of the plant. The drink helps to establish potency and normalize the work of the heart muscle. Seeds and just dishes from the pulp of the fruit will be useful. They help prevent atherosclerosis and prostatitis.
The fruit stimulates the testosterone production process and improves sperm quality.
Pumpkin during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Despite the low allergenicity, you should be careful with the vegetable before and after childbirth. It is extremely rare, but it still causes allergic reactions. In other cases, only benefits can be obtained from the pumpkin, namely:
- get rid of puffiness;
- eliminate the symptoms of toxicosis;
- protect the body from the development of anemia;
- correctly form the skeletal system of the unborn child.
In addition, the fruit has a low calorie content, therefore, will not allow you to gain excess weight.
Is it possible for children to pumpkin
Definitely pumpkin has a positive effect on the correct development of the baby. It helps to calm down, helps the liver and kidneys. It is very useful for the normalization of the stomach and strengthens the immune system.
The seeds are an effective prophylactic against the appearance of helminths. They also help to successfully cope with worms that have already appeared.
The diet is included before the onset of 1 year.
Is pumpkin good for weight loss?
Not only due to its low calorie content, pumpkin is useful for inclusion in the diet. It speeds up metabolic processes, allows you to quickly burn fats, remove toxins. And the unique vitamin T prevents folds from appearing after losing weight. Fiber prevents fat from being absorbed.
The benefit of pumpkin is that it consists of 91% structured water, which is healing for the human body.
There is even a pumpkin-based diet. Its essence is that only it should be consumed for 14 days. You can expect minus 6-8 kg.
Pumpkin for diabetes
Due to the high starch content of pumpkin, it should be treated with extreme caution by diabetics. It should be remembered that after heat treatment, the glycemic index of the plant greatly increases due to the destruction of starch. For diabetics, it is preferable to consume the fruit raw.
During an exacerbation, it is not recommended to use it at all. Even after the glucose level has stabilized, it is introduced gradually, with constant control of the amount of sugar. If the increase exceeds 3 mmol / l, then until the condition stabilizes, it is better to refuse the vegetable.
What does pumpkin treat? How to take it medicinally
To accelerate recovery during the rehabilitation period after hepatitis, pumpkin is the best choice for nutrition. A medicine is made from the pulp with honey. To do this, cut off the top of a medium-sized fruit, take out the seeds and place honey there, preferably from acacia. The pumpkin is closed, and the cut place is covered with dough. Leave the plant in a dark place for 10 days. After that, treatment is started by consuming 1 tablespoon of pulp and honey 3-4 times throughout the day. Be sure to take the medicine 20 minutes before a meal.
It is also used as a remedy for kidney stones and gall bladder. This will require a fruit weighing 9 kg or more. It is peeled and minced in a meat grinder, including seeds. Add 5 kg of honey to the resulting mixture and mix thoroughly. After that, they insist for 10 days, after which they squeeze out the juice, and get rid of the pulp. Drink the resulting medicine 50 g 30 minutes before meals, 3 times.
The seeds are widely used to treat prostatitis. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the genitourinary system. It is recommended to consume at least 20 raw seeds throughout the day. It is best to do this on an empty stomach, 3 times, before meals. More efficiency can be achieved if the seeds are germinated, it takes about 8 days. After which the sprouts are consumed, although they have a bitter taste.
The use of pumpkin in cosmetology
Pumpkin is often included in home beauty products. It improves the color of the skin, tightens it and makes it more elastic. And most importantly, it does almost miracles in the matter of rejuvenation.
To refresh the face, the pulp of the fruit is crushed in a blender, mixed with olive oil and applied to the face and neck area for 15 minutes. Then the mask is removed with cotton pads and washed with running water.
Use pumpkin as a scrub. To do this, boil a small amount of pulp, grind it, add ground coffee and a little sugar. After that, lightly rub into the face for 7 minutes and wash.
To achieve the optimal effect, it is better to apply masks 2 times during the week.
Pumpkin harm and contraindications
It is best to give up the use of pumpkin in the presence of diabetes mellitus and gastritis, stomach ulcers. Do not get carried away with this vegetable if there are problems with acidity, and seeds are not recommended during pregnancy.
Fruit juice can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and baked vegetables are mildly laxative.
Which pumpkin is healthier than raw or processed
Doctors say that it is best to eat a raw vegetable, as it retains the maximum amount of nutrients. You can alternate between baked, boiled, and raw pumpkin in your diet.
Why is pumpkin juice useful and harmful?
The juice from the pulp allows you to cleanse the liver and rejuvenate the entire body as a whole. It boosts the immune system and improves the functioning of the stomach.
Do not get carried away with juice if chronic diarrhea is present, so the symptoms will only worsen. You will have to give up the drink with a severe form of sugar disease.
How pumpkin is eaten in the world
Pumpkin pulp is suitable for preparing a variety of dishes; it is baked, boiled, fried and steamed, eaten raw. Sauces and desserts, first and second courses are made from it. When fresh, the pulp has a soft and pleasant taste.
Some craftsmen make crafts from the fruits.
How to choose and store a pumpkin
Ripe pumpkin has a pleasant aroma and a beautiful appearance. The fruit has a hard peel, after pressing on which, no dents should remain. There should be no dents or damage on the surface. After cutting, the juice should stand out, in a small amount, sticky.
The stalk should be a little dry, but by no means rotten. If you shake the fruit, then no rustling or splash should be heard. It keeps well throughout the winter in a dark and dry place.
Pumpkin is a delicious autumn fruit that can compete with many vegetables and fruits in terms of the amount of nutrients. It keeps well and is suitable for preparing a variety of dishes.