Few people know the wonderful benefits of pumpkin

Pumpkin (also known as squash) is a popular daily food with high nutritional content and good for health.

Pumpkin is one of the foods commonly used to prepare daily dishes - Illustration photo/Source: Getty

According to the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health), pumpkin has a significant amount of beta-carotene and other antioxidants, which can help prevent chronic diseases and support good health. The benefits of eating pumpkin include:

Improve eye health

Eating pumpkin is good for the eyes because it contains nutrients that are beneficial for the eyes, especially vitamin A. Vitamin A is the main component of rhodopsin - a protein in the retina. It is also important for the conjunctiva and cornea to function properly.

Furthermore, beta-carotene — a precursor form of vitamin A that is also an antioxidant — helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Additionally, pumpkin contains vitamin C, another antioxidant that may help prevent and treat early AMD.

Another antioxidant found in pumpkin is vitamin E, which may also prevent and treat early AMD. It may also prevent oxidative stress associated with eye diseases such as cataracts.

Helps reduce the risk of chronic disease

Eating pumpkin is a way to add fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Therefore, it can help prevent chronic disease. Fiber is a nutrient that has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and better blood sugar control.

A large meta-analysis found that higher dietary intake of beta-carotene was associated with better lung health.

Additionally, a meta-analysis of dozens of studies found that vitamin C supplementation was associated with increased immune function and a reduced risk of disease.

Pumpkin is nutritious and has many health benefits - Illustration/Source: Shutterstock

Improve digestive health

Eating pumpkin is good for digestion because it is high in fiber. Eating enough fiber and foods rich in prebiotics can also help to nourish a healthy gut microbiome, which can not only improve gut health but also boost the immune system and mental health.

Support skin health

The antioxidants in pumpkin, especially vitamin C, are also essential for skin health.

Getting enough vitamin C is key because a vitamin C deficiency can lead to fragile skin, poor wound healing, and bleeding gums.

Furthermore, vitamin C works with vitamin E to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It is also needed to form collagen—a protein that gives structure and elasticity to your skin.

In addition to protecting against harmful UV rays, vitamin E may also protect against acne and other skin conditions due to its antioxidant effects.

What should you pay attention to when eating pumpkin?

According to health experts, to maximize the health benefits of pumpkin and avoid possible risks, when using this fruit, you should be careful not to eat too much at one time because its fiber content is too high, which can easily cause digestive disorders and bloating.

People with sensitive skin may be allergic to pumpkin, so they should pay attention to nausea, difficulty breathing, stomach pain... and quickly see a doctor if necessary.

Do not eat pumpkin that has been left for a long time or is too old because the sugar content increases, making it easy to ferment and change, causing toxins that are harmful to your health. Avoid eating pumpkin when you have digestive disorders.

Pumpkin is good for health and can be processed into many different foods, but should not be overused, only used 2-3 times a week.

In addition to eating dishes made from this fruit, each person should also supplement other foods to have a diverse diet that is not lacking in nutrients.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/it-nguoi-biet-loi-ich-tuyet-voi-cua-bi-do-20241111212121611.htm