Health benefits of eating pumpkin, including youthful appearance and weight loss
During fall, pumpkins become a popular household decoration. They are often carved, decorated and displayed for passers-by, but did you know they could be carved and put right on your dinner plate, too?
It can also be used in more savory dishes such as soup, pasta, hummus and more. And while pumpkin might be fall’s favorite fruit, it’s also packed with vitamins and minerals that can help improve your health.
Here are a few facts you should know about pumpkins before you stop by your local pumpkin patch or grocery store.
Pumpkins are a high source of vitamin A, which plays a significant role in eye health, according to experts.
Christie Gagnon, a registered dietitian at the food and lifestyle blog Hoorah to Health, told Fox News Digital that pumpkins are “packed full of vitamin A,” which is a nutrient that can “lower the risk of developing cataracts, a common cause of blindness.”
Vitamin A also helps promote “good eyesight,” according to Michelle Rauch, a registered dietitian at the Actors Fund Home, an assisted-living facility in Englewood, New Jersey.
Rauch added, “It plays an important part in forming and maintaining soft and skeletal muscle tissue, bone and mucus membranes.”
Additional compounds found in pumpkins that support vision health are lutein and zeaxanthin, two plant pigments that help to protect the eyes from harmful light waves, according to WebMD.
Vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin are beneficial to eye health, experts say.
An article reviewed by one of WebMD’s registered dietitians said a single cup of pumpkin can give a person 200% of their recommended daily vitamin A intake.
“If you get it, your eyes will thank you. Vitamin A helps you have healthy eyes and see more clearly, especially in low-light conditions,” the WebMD “Health Benefits of Pumpkin” article states.
Zinc, a mineral found in pumpkin, helps keep the retina healthy.
Aside from vitamin A, pumpkins are a high source of vitamin C, which is a nutrient that has long been associated with boosting immunity.
“Vitamin C aids neutrophils, a type of immune cell, in carrying out various immune functions such as getting rid of harmful bacteria,” Mackenzie Burgess told Fox News Digital. Burgess is a registered dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, a food blog focused on offering simple meal solutions.
“With flu season just around the corner, consuming more pumpkin may be a great way to support your immune system,” Burgess told Fox News Digital.
Pumpkins are also full of vitamins D and E, beta-carotene, folate and iron.
Aside from vitamin A, pumpkins are a high source of vitamin C, which is a nutrient that has long been associated with immunity-boosting.
Mixing pumpkin into your diet can give you the immunity boost you need as the temperatures start to drop.
If you feel sickness coming on during fall, put together a warm pumpkin soup to help you feel better in no time.
“There are about 250 milligrams of potassium per half-cup serving of cooked pumpkin,” said Kimberly Baker, who is the director of the Clemson University Extension Food Systems and Safety Program.
“Potassium helps to contract muscles, regulates fluid and mineral balance within the cells of the body, and helps to maintain normal blood pressure.”
She added, “Males who are older than 19 should consume approximately 3,400 milligrams of potassium per day, and females older than 19 should consume 2,600 milligrams potassium per day unless told differently by a doctor or registered dietitian.”
Bananas aren’t the only fruit rich in potassium. Pumpkins can be a great source for the mineral.
A potassium fact sheet published by the National Institutes of Health matches Baker’s nutrition guidance for individuals who don’t have medical conditions with “impaired potassium excretion” or use medications that “impair potassium excretion.”
About 90% of potassium is excreted through urine and less than 10% is excreted through sweat or stool, according to a potassium-focused health report on Medscape, a website owned by WebMD that provides medical information to clinicians.
Pumpkins are 90% water. If you’re looking to shed a few pounds on a healthier diet, pumpkins could become your secret weapon, according to Burgess.
“Pumpkin is beneficial for weight loss because it’s largely made up of water, so it is low in calories while still containing many nutrients,” Burgess told Fox News Digital.
“Try adding more pumpkin to your diet by making pumpkin soup, pumpkin oatmeal, roasted pumpkin or pumpkin energy bites.”
If you’re looking to shed a few pounds on a healthier diet, pumpkins could become your secret weapon.
Including pumpkin in sugary treats like desserts and drinks is going to take away the weight-loss benefits.
Instead of a sugar-filled pumpkin pie, opt for a healthy roasted pumpkin — or a yummy pumpkin smoothie.
Pumpkins are high in fiber, which has a list of benefits, including satiating hunger and lowering “bad” cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein, according to Rauch.
Other fiber-based benefits include improved bowel health and a lessened chance of blood sugar spiking, she said.
Since pumpkins are so high in fiber, they will help you stay full longer, which can help promote weight loss.
Pumpkins are high in fiber and antioxidants, which offer a list of health benefits, including improved bowel and skin health.
“Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and the pumpkin’s seeds which, in addition to being delicious, are rich in antioxidants and contain magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese,” Rauch told Fox News Digital.
“Canned pumpkin contains seven grams [of fiber] per cup.”
Pumpkins are loaded with antioxidants. These molecules help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals — unstable atoms.
Antioxidants neutralize these atoms, which in turn slows the aging process, according to Harvard Medical School.
Antioxidants have been connected to skin anti-aging.
One of the most prevalent antioxidants in pumpkin is beta-carotene, Baker told Fox News Digital.
In her words, “beta-carotene is an antioxidant, which can provide anti-inflammatory benefits [and] prevent aging in the skin.”
Have you ever given any thought to what would happen to your body if you continually subjected it to the effects of drinking hot water? When everything is taken into account, we are aware that water is important for the body to keep adequately hydrated and that it accounts for sixty percent of the human adult body (via USGS). Water makes up sixty percent of the human adult body. Who would have thought, though, that the temperature at which you consume it plays a role in the kinds of health benefits you gain from it?
However, drinking water that has been brought to a boil on a frequent basis offers a variety of additional health benefits, which your body may be prevented from taking advantage of if you drink cold water instead of water that has been brought to a boil. People have a propensity, when they think about drinking water, to picture themselves in a position in which they are sipping some water that is really cold while basking in the warmth of the late spring sun or relishing in the virus-like sensation of it after a particularly tough twisting class. This is because people have a tendency to picture themselves in scenarios in which they are partaking in activities that involve extreme temperatures. Drinking warm water first thing in the morning is recommended by medical professionals, as stated by Stella Metsovas, a professional nutritionist, who explains why this is the case. Medical Daily has been provided with this information. In point of fact, and to some degree one is taken aback by this revelation, access to this kind of information has been available for a significant amount of time now. According to Reader’s Digest, both Chinese and Indian physicians encourage drinking this steaming hot beverage first thing in the morning to get the most out of the day due to the many excellent benefits it has on one’s health. This is because traditional Chinese medicine and Indian medicine both believe that drinking this beverage in the morning helps one get the most out of the day.
Therefore, would you be so kind as to elaborate on what you mean by that? If you drink hot water on a regular basis, your body will experience these effects, which are something that may be expected.
In this difficult environment, there is a clear approach for being able to stretch less, and it all starts with establishing a daily appreciation for water. This is the first step in the process. Dietitian Amanda Carlson, who is also a qualified dietitian, is of the opinion that individuals can benefit from keeping an adequate level of hydration in order to experience reduced levels of anxiety. If you don’t give your body the liquids it needs, you’re adding extra weight to it, and your body will react to this by acting erratically.
According to Healthline, consuming hot water reduces the activity of your focus sensory system, which is responsible for determining how your brain reacts when it is subjected to pressure. According to the American Psychological Association, not getting enough water can cause confusion in the central nervous system, which can trigger a vicious loop that never comes to an end. It is actually easier to become dehydrated when you are under pressure, as your pulse will be higher than normal, and you will be breathing more actively than usual, says Renee Melton, MS, RD, LD, who is the head of nutrition at Sensei. This is because your pulse will be higher when you are under strain. WebMD received this information from another source. Therefore, if you truly want to get rid of the problem the next time it comes up, you might want to consider the alternative of continuously drinking hot water.
Regularly consuming water that has been heated to a boil has the ability to reduce the amount of physical pain and suffering that individual is experiencing.
Shaving may be a time-consuming and occasionally painful activity. If you’re seeking an easy way to remove face and body hair, Coca-Cola could be the answer. Here’s how to use this famous soft drink to remove hair without discomfort and why it works.
Why Coca-Cola?
Coca-Cola includes a combination of ingredients that can weaken hair follicles and facilitate hair removal. The carbonation and acidity in Coca-Cola combine to break down hair, making it easier to remove…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
How to Use Coca-Cola for Hair Removal
Ingredients:
1 can of Coca-Cola
Cotton pads
A small bowl
For illustrative purposes only.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Solution:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola into a small basin.
2. Application:
Soak a cotton pad with Coca-Cola.
Apply the moistened cotton pad to the region with excess hair. Make sure the area is completely covered.
3. Let it Sit:
Allow the Coca-Cola to settle on your skin for approximately 15-20 minutes. This allows the carbonation and acidity to gradually damage the hair follicles.
Depending on the thickness of the hair, you may need to repeat this step several times. With regular application, you should see a reduction in hair growth.
For illustrative purposes only.
Benefits of Using Coca-Cola for Hair Removal
1. Pain-Free:
Compared to traditional methods like waxing or plucking, utilizing Coca-Cola is painless and gentle on the skin.
2. Cost-Effective:
Coca-Cola is inexpensive and widely available, making it an affordable option for hair removal.
3. Convenient:
This method may be done at home quickly and easily, with no special equipment or expert services required.
4. Decreases Hair Growth:
Hair follicle weakening over time might result in lower hair growth, making upkeep easier.
Conclusion
Using Coca-Cola for hair removal may seem unorthodox, but it is a painless and cost-effective alternative to typical techniques. With consistent usage, you can get smoother, hair-free skin without the inconvenience of shaving or the discomfort of waxing. Give it a shot and see the startling results for yourself!
Are you tired of dealing with skin imperfections like wrinkles, blemishes, melasma, moles, and warts? Look no further! We have a natural and effective solution for you – banana peels combined with baking soda.
Why Banana Peels and Baking Soda?
Banana Peels: These peels are not just food waste! They are actually packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can nourish and revitalize your skin.
Scrape the inner white part of the banana peel with a spoon and collect about 2 tablespoons of the material.
In a small bowl, mix the banana peel paste with the baking soda until a smooth paste forms.
Application
Thoroughly clean and dry the area of skin where you intend to apply the mixture.
Apply the paste directly to the areas affected by wrinkles, blemishes, melasma, moles, or warts.
Leave the mixture on for about 15-20 minutes.
Rinse Off
Wash off the paste with lukewarm water. Be gentle to your skin while washing to avoid any irritation.
Moisturize
After drying your skin, apply a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Tips for Best Results
Frequency of Use: To see significant improvements, use this treatment two to three times a week. Consistent application is key!
Patch Test: Before applying the mixture broadly, always perform a patch test on a small area of skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Sun Protection: Protect your skin from the sun, especially after using this treatment, as the skin may be more sensitive to UV rays.
Precautions
If you have moles or warts, it’s important to have them checked by a healthcare provider before trying any home treatments.
Baking soda can be drying and may irritate sensitive skin. If you experience any redness, itching, or discomfort, discontinue use and consult with a dermatologist.
