Pumpkin - Useful Properties And Contraindications

Pumpkin is an orange vegetable and belongs to the Pumpkin family. It is scientifically classified as a fruit due to the content of seeds in it. In nutritional composition it is closer to vegetables than to fruits. In addition to its pleasant taste, it is nutritious and associated with many health benefits.

Nutritional value of pumpkin

One cup (245 grams) of pumpkin contains:

• 49 calories
• 0.2 grams of fat
• 2 grams of protein
• 12 grams of carbohydrates
• 3 grams of fiber
• Vitamins - A (245% of the reference daily intake *), C (19% *); B2 (11% *), E (10% *) and other B vitamins;
• Minerals - potassium (16% *), copper (11% *), manganese (11% *), iron (8% *), magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate;

In addition to being full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkin is also relatively low in calories, as it contains 94% water.

It is also rich in beta-carotene - a carotenoid that is converted into vitamin A in the body. Pumpkin seeds are edible, nutritious and are associated with numerous health benefits.

Health benefits of pumpkin

Pumpkin has healing properties, which are due to the presence inside of important elements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus) and vitamins (A, C, B1, B2, B12, PP and K, the latter is almost absent in other fruits and vegetables). Vitamin K deficiency in the body causes bleeding from the nose, gums and, more dangerously, from internal organs, including the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, inside the pumpkin there are many pectins - water-soluble dietary fiber, which increases the motor function of the intestine, frees the body from radionuclides.

The combination of biologically active substances in the composition helps to remove cholesterol, improve water-salt metabolism, so the product is recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system (in particular, atherosclerosis and edema caused by heart failure).

In anemia and exhausted body is useful flesh of the pumpkin, but in raw form, because it is rich in iron.

Good results have been observed in the treatment of the digestive organs with pumpkin. In inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis and liver edema, in addition to the raw inside of the vegetable, pumpkin porridge with rice, millet or semolina is also useful. For colitis accompanied by constipation and vomiting at night, it is good to drink orange vegetable juice. The juice and the soft part are used as a prophylaxis against caries. In addition, pumpkin is considered a high-density food. This means that it contains few calories and is rich in many useful nutrients. In fact, it contains less than 50 calories per cup (245 grams) and consists of about 94% water, which makes it a suitable food for weight loss.

Pumpkin puree is very useful in diabetes, gout, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic cystitis, stones in the urinary system (pumpkin itself is a good diuretic).

Pumpkin seeds (seeds)  are used in kidney disease, to strengthen the muscles of the bladder and as an aid in the treatment of prostate diseases.

As this fruit vegetable is low in calories, it is suitable for consumption in obesity. Pumpkin juice and raw inside are useful for coughs due to colds, tuberculosis, and the porridge helps to lower the temperature in bronchitis.

Fresh porridge of the product is used in the fight against eczema, burns, acne, rashes; accelerates the maturation of boils and abscesses. Pumpkin decoction in combination with honey works for insomnia.

Pumpkin is a good anthelmintic. The porridge and its decoction are undoubtedly preferred over other similar means for children up to 2-3 years, pregnant and lactating women, weak people, for those who have had serious illnesses and for people over 60 years.

Is pumpkin useful for diabetics?

Pumpkin is a healthy food rich in nutrients and compounds that maintain blood sugar control. Several animal studies have shown that it can lower blood sugar, improve diabetes control and help slow the progression of the disease in some cases. Most people consume vegetables in sweet drinks, pastries and holiday pies, which does not imply the same health benefits of consuming pumpkin alone without additives.

A typical portion of pumpkin contains large amounts of fiber and few carbohydrates. Vegetables have a high glycemic index and low glycemic load - an indicator that classifies foods in terms of their effect on glycemia. This means that it is unlikely to have a significant effect on blood sugar when controlling the amount of servings.

Pumpkin has a high glycemic index (75) and a low glycemic load (3). This means that if you eat only one serving of vegetables, your blood sugar levels will not be significantly affected. While consuming larger portions, this can drastically increase levels. As with any carbohydrate food, controlling amounts is key in sugar management.

Contraindications

Despite all the useful properties that this vegetable has, it is contraindicated in some cases:

- in peptic ulcer disease - consumption of the product is not recommended if you suffer from ulcers of the stomach or duodenum;

- if you have gastritis;

- with reduced stomach acidity;

- if you have a disturbed pH balance in the body.