People all across the world celebrate Halloween on the 31st of October. Hundred years ago it was customary to carve pumpkins into lanterns on Halloween day.
It was done in order to frighten away evil spirits wandering through farms. Since then, Pumpkin has become a mandatory part of Halloween celebrations. Pumpkins are also one of the most widely available fruits in the world. Yes, you heard it right. Pumpkin is scientifically a fruit! But commonly it is viewed as a vegetable. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. This family includes squash, watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber. It is also a healthy food option in a number of important ways. Here, let’s look at some health and beauty benefits of pumpkin and pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkins for a Healthy Heart
Pumpkin is abundant in potassium. It is a vital component that lowers the risk of stroke and heart disease. Pumpkins are also rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants and potassium content keeps in check the arterial deposits in. Thus they protect against the hardening of arteries.
Pumpkin also contains a lot of phytosterols. It is a substance that resembles human cholesterol a lot. It restores the cholesterol level to a normal range. Low blood pressure risk is also minimized.
Wholesome Nutrition
Pumpkins are a great source of beta-carotene. This pigment gives a distinctive brilliant orange hue to the pumpkin. This colour is a carotenoid, which the body changes into vitamin A. Vitamin A and beta-carotene are necessary for maintaining excellent vision. A diet high in beta-carotene also lowers the risk of cancer in people.
Fibre-rich foods like pumpkins can help you feel satisfied for longer. Thus pumpkins are a great option if you’re trying to reduce weight. They are also rich in magnesium and potassium.
Boost Immune System
As mentioned earlier, it contains beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. According to studies, vitamin A can boost your immune system. This in turn aid in the prevention of illnesses. Pumpkins also have vitamin C content. These vitamins strengthen the immune system by increasing the body’s production of white blood cells. This invariably increases one’s resistance to numerous illnesses like the flu, the common cold, and fever.
Magnesium in pumpkin helps to maintain healthy muscles and a robust immune system.
Bright and Clear Skin
Pumpkins are rich in enzymes. Antioxidants, Vitamins A and C are abundant in pumpkin enzymes. These enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids in pumpkins help to dissolve dead skin cells. This results in glowing skin by smoothing and brightening the skin.
Pumpkins also boost the formation of collagen. It further enhances skin tone and elasticity. Thus, pumpkin facial and pumpkin enzyme peels are becoming famous in the cosmetic industry.
Anti-ageing Effect
We already mentioned that pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C. This vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant. Pumpkins, a good source of beta-carotene, also help to enhance skin texture and repair UV damage. These vitamins defend the skin from the radical damage that results in wrinkles and potential skin cancer.
Conditions the Hair
Pumpkin also has biotin. It is known for supercharging hair development. The protein that makes up our hair strands, keratin, is produced with the help of biotin. In pumpkins, zinc, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and many other nutrients are also abundant. Thus, pumpkins not only promote hair growth but also nourish the scalp. Pumpkin is usually blended with yoghurt and coconut oil to make a nourishing hair mask. This hair mask gives your hair strength, shine, nourishment, and proper health.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seed
The flat white seeds for pumpkins are a powerhouse of nutrients. Researchers suggest that pumpkin seed also has the same beneficial effect as the pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds offer a great nutrient profile. It also offers great health benefits. The seed contains nutrients like protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that lower the risk of developing chronic illnesses like cancer.
