5 Health Benefits of Eating Pumpkins

Fall is a wonderful time that comes with cool weather, shorter days, and, yes, seasonal pumpkin treats. Pumpkins aren’t just great Halloween decorations or pie toppings. Pumpkins are a fantastic source of nutrients that can bring incredible health benefits. HiDow has put together a festive list of 5 health benefits of eating pumpkins for all of your fall recipes.

#1 Keep Your Eyes Sharp

Pumpkins are packed with vitamin A, which can help improve your vision. One cup of cooked pumpkin can have as much as 200% of your daily vitamin A needs. Pumpkins are also a great source of vitamin C, Lutenin and zeaxanthin, and zinc, which are great for combatting adult blindness and eye disease.

#2 Low Calories and High Nutrient Density Can Promote Weightloss

Adding pumpkins to your diet can also help you lose weight. Pumpkins only have about 50 calories per cup while containing 1.76 grams of protein and 2.7 grams of fiber. This nutrient-dense food is perfect for promoting weight loss because you can eat more than other carbs while consuming fewer calories overall. Additionally, fiber is a great way to help you stay full longer.

#3 Good for Your Heart

One of the most important health benefits of eating pumpkins is that it is great for your heart. Pumpkins are high in vitamin fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, which are all great for lowering your blood pressure and promoting a healthy heart. Potassium is one of seven microminerals of which you need a daily intake of at least 100mg to maintain a healthy heart. Potassium is responsible for regulating fluid balance in the body and affecting the electrical activity of the heart and muscles.

#4 Lower the Risk of Cancer-Causing Radicals

In addition to helping you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and helping your vision improve, pumpkins can also help you reduce the risk of developing cancer-causing radicals. This is possible because pumpkins have beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is known to protect the body from free radicals by boosting the immune system, which prevents chronic illness, cancers, and heart disease.

#5 Help You Sleep and Improve Your Mood

As if all of these benefits weren’t enough to make you add pumpkin to your diet, pumpkin seeds can even improve your sleep routine! It’s recommended that adults sleep between 7.5 and 9 hours a night to get the most out of sleep. Doing this may not always be so easy, though.

Pumpkin seeds have tryptophan, which your body uses to create niacin, melatonin, and serotonin. All of which are necessary chemicals needed to improve your sleep and mood.