It's pumpkin season! And this winter squash variant isn't only great for carving into funky (or spooky!) faces for front porch decor. Pumpkins—a cultivar of a squash plant—are packed with numerous incredible nutrients and vitamins, making them a wonderful addition to your fall diet and winter meal plans.
Curious to know more? Pick one up this weekend—either at your grocery store or local pumpkin patch. And enjoy! Here are just a few of the health benefits of pumpkins.
Health Benefits of Pumpkins
1. Pumpkins are rich in fiber.
Did you know that 1 cup of canned pumpkin contains about 7 grams of fiber? Fiber not only helps **move things along** in your digestive system but it has been shown to prevent intestinal conditions and reduce heart disease.
2. Pumpkin benefits your skin.
The beta-carotene in pumpkin assists in protecting you from the sun's UV rays (which cause wrinkles). And just because it's getting cooler and darker out doesn't mean you can shelf your sunscreen! Slather up during the day and, at night, use pumpkin pulp for a face mask. It can help exfoliate and soothe your skin!
3. Pumpkins improve your eye-sight.
Yep! It's true! Carrots aren't the only ones offering better vision. One cup of pumpkin alone has 200 percent of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, so eat up! Thanks again to beta-carotene (beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A when ingested); eating pumpkin can improve your eye-sight and strengthen your retinas.
4. Pumpkins are rich in potassium.
Take a step back, bananas. Pumpkin is the go-to post-workout food this fall. One cup of pumpkin has—wait for it—565 mg of potassium! That's almost 100 mg more than an 8-inch banana. Potassium also lowers the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Whether you boil, bake, roast, or eat it straight from the can, don't just buy pumpkins for decoration this fall. Add them to your salads, your curries and soups, and even to your desserts (in moderation, of course). Eat up and enjoy the health benefits!
How do you plan to add pumpkin to your diet this season? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook and Instagram!
