Health benefits of pumpkin

According to Healthline, pumpkin is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family.

It is native to North America, in the US it is called winter squash and it is more widely known by its scientific name, Cucurbita pepo. In other countries like Australia, any type of winter squash may be referred to as a “pumpkin.”

Pumpkin is actually a fruit because it bears seeds, despite the fact that it is usually mistaken for a vegetable. However, it is closer to veggies than fruits in terms of nutrition.

Pumpkin is nourishing and offers a lot of health benefits in addition to its delicious flavor. According to MedicalNewsToday, below are some health benefits of pumpkin:

Reducing the risk of cancer

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene. According to a 2016 study, a diet high in beta carotene may help to reduce prostate cancer tumor growth.

According to the findings of a cross-sectional study conducted in 2014, beta-carotene prevented colon cancer in a Japanese population from progressing.

Preventing and controlling diabetes

Dietary pumpkin may aid in the management of diabetes and blood sugar levels. According to a 2019 study, combining two plant extracts, one of which was pumpkin polysaccharides lowered mice’s blood sugar levels.

Although no humans were included in the study, the research suggests that these plant chemicals may have some ability to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Protects against age-related eye problems

Antioxidants are abundant in pumpkins. In older persons, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene promote eye health and guard against deterioration.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study was a clinical trial carried out by the National Eye Institute in 2019.

The findings demonstrated a relationship between high intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene with a markedly lower incidence of age-related macular degeneration.