Pumpkin: An Underrated Superfood

Pumpkin is often associated with Halloween, but did you know that it’s an underrated superfood? In this article, we’ll explore ten reasons why you should consider adding pumpkin to your diet.

1. You will feel fuller

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, with up to 3g of fiber per cup. Eating pumpkin increases satiation and helps you feel fuller longer, by slowing down digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.

2. You will sleep better

Pumpkin is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid which gets converted to serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter that helps you settle down, unwind and doze off to sleep.

3. You will have a healthy heart

Increased fiber intake can also help protect you from heart disease, research shows.

4. You’ll increase your prostate health

Pumpkin seeds should make their way in to every man’s diet for good reason. Pumpkin is rich in Zinc; it contains more than 2mg per ounce which can contribute to the prevention of prostate cancer, research shows.

5. You will get magnesium

Pumpkin seeds deliver about 30% of your daily recommended magnesium requirements, which aids in many physiological functions.

6. You’ll feel the antioxidant benefits

Beta carotene is a provitamin the body converts into vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with its ability to fend off cancer.

7. When you eat some pumpkin, you burn the fat

Pumpkin is a great high nutrient, low calorie food. With only 42 calories per cup and loaded with fiber, pumpkin will keep you full longer, regulate your blood sugar levels, and help you eat fewer calories and burn more fat.

8. It’ll keep your eyesight sharp

Pumpkin will help meet your daily vitamin A requirements that aid in the integrity of your vision, especially in dim light.

9. You will have to eat less bananas

A cup of cooked pumpkin has more potassium than a banana. Potassium deficiency can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness and inactive reflexes, so switch it up and rotate some pumpkin into your diet instead of solely relying on bananas for potassium.

10. It will boost your mood

Pumpkin seeds contain loads of tryptophan which will help keep your outlook on life bright.

So how do you incorporate pumpkin into your diet?

You can add canned pumpkin to almost any dish, and you have a seasonal autumn dish ready to go. You can add canned pumpkin to your oatmeal, make delicious pumpkin cookies, and even roast pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.

Overall, pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food that is not only delicious but also offers numerous health benefits. Don’t limit pumpkin to just Halloween decorations – start incorporating it into your diet and reap the benefits of this underrated superfood.

Featured photo credit: Gorilla via bigstockphoto.com.