Is Pumpkin Good for Me?

It’s that time of the year again. The leaves are changing colors, people are pulling out their cozy sweaters, and the grocery store is filled to the brim with pumpkins. This time of year, you cannot walk down a grocery store aisle without seeing dozens of boxes for pumpkin raviolis, pumpkin flavored cookies, cereals, etc. As you find yourself lost in a sea of orange and yellow products, you may be wondering, how healthy is pumpkin for me? 

Pumpkin, believe it or not, is actually considered a fruit since it contains seeds. It is a hearty winter squash that is fairly low in calories and very adaptable to many recipes. So, you’re probably thinking, “it’s low in calories and it’s a fruit. That’s a home run, right? That has to be healthy.” And you’d be correct in thinking that. There are many health benefits that come from adding pumpkin to your diet. 

Before we begin singing pumpkin’s praises, it’s very important to note that not all pumpkin dishes are created equal. Roasted pumpkin is not the same as a heaping slice of pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream on the side. Dishes like pumpkin pie, while delicious, have large amounts of added sugars and fats which negate the benefits of the pumpkin. The less processed and less sugary your pumpkin dishes, the better for you. 

Now, let’s talk about the good news, what are the good things about pumpkins? Well the most obvious benefit is that pumpkins are orange. Pumpkins (along with carrots and sweet potatoes) get their orange color from a compound called Beta-Carotene. Beta-Carotene is converted by the digestive system into Vitamin A. Vitamin A has many benefits from eye health to helping with women’s health. 

Vitamin A helps prevent age-related macular degeneration in the eyes. It also promotes healthy skin through its antioxidant effects. It has also been found to help improve cognitive function and help with symptoms of menopause. So while pumpkin pie or sweet potatoes covered with mini-marshmallows may not be the healthiest choice, picking foods with that warm orange color are a good idea. 

Aside from being orange, pumpkin is high in fiber which promotes healthy digestion. It is also high in potassium which is essential for muscular function. 

Pumpkins are more than just a decoration or a pie filling, when prepared correctly, they can be a great addition to your diet.

Author bio- Jane Silverstein is the owner of Soul Source Therapeutic Devices located in Los Angeles. She is committed to women’s health issues and to helping women worldwide regain and/ or maintain their sexual health. She is passionate about helping others and has always been involved in a multitude of charitable causes.

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