Pumpkin
Pumpkin is known scientifically as ( Cucurbita pepo ), Is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Pumpkin is grown in northern Mexico to Argentina and Chile. It has also grown in Europe, Asia and Western America. It is a plant known for its seeds, fruits and leaves. Its low- Protein is the most important part of it, followed by the fruit that is used frequently in the manufacture of sweets and beverages.
It is mentioned in the hadeeth of Hisham ibn Erwa from his father that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: (O Aisha; if you cook a bit, and the more of the Dabbah, they tighten the sad heart) , The dice is the pumpkin.
The pumpkin has multiple health benefits this article aims to talk about and clarify.
Dietary composition of pumpkin
The following table shows the nutritional composition of each 100 g of cooked, boiled or drained pumpkin without adding salt:
Food ingredient | the value |
---|---|
water | 93.69 g |
energy | 20 calories |
Protein | 0.72 g |
Fats | 0.07 g |
Carbohydrates | 4.90 g |
Dietary fiber | 1.1 g |
Total sugars | 2.08 g |
Calcium | 15 mg |
Iron | 0.57 mg |
magnesium | 9 mg |
Phosphorus | 30 mg |
Potassium | 230 mg |
Sodium | 1 mg |
Zinc | 0.23 mg |
Vitamin C | 4.7 mg |
Thiamine | 0.031 mg |
Riboflavin | 0.078 mg |
Niacin | 0.413 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.044 mg |
Folate | 9 micrograms |
Vitamin B12 | 0.00 μg |
Vitamin A | 5755 global units, or 288 micrograms |
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.8 mg |
Vitamin D | 0 universal unit |
Vitamin K | 0.8 mg |
Caffeine | 0 mg |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Benefits of pumpkin
- Pumpkin is suitable for weight loss diets, as it is a good source of dietary fiber that slows digestion and stimulate the feeling of satiety for longer periods, and also low in calories.
- Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, due to its high content of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, which gives the pumpkin orange. Vitamin A plays a key role in eye health and vision.
- Vitamin A’s pumpkin content supports the immune system, which also contributes to its vitamin C content. Pumpkin oil also fights many bacterial and fungal infections.
- The beta-carotene compounds present in the pumpkin contribute to skin protection from the effects of UV rays.
- Pumpkin extracts have anti-oxidant properties, making it suitable for pre-diabetes, diabetes and vascular damage. Pumpkin seeds contain high amounts of vitamin E, known for their antioxidant activity.
- Pumpkin intake contributes to the prevention of certain types of cancer. Scientific studies have found that people who eat high-beta-carotene diets reduce their risk of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer and lung cancer. Vitamin A and vitamin C act as antioxidants that protect the body from Free radicals that cause cancer.
- Some preliminary research has found that eating pumpkin improves the level of glucose in the blood and raises the level of insulin produced by the body, which can play an important role in the cases of diabetes, and found several studies conducted on experimental animals directly anti-depressant effects After taking the pumpkin, but this effect needs more scientific research to prove it., Many researchers have isolated compounds of pumpkin and found to have antihypertensive effects of blood glucose.
- Scientific studies have found that taking pumpkin seed oil extract reduces the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Pumpkin can play a role in cases of intestinal worms, bladder irritation, kidney infections, and other conditions, but these effects need further scientific research to evaluate them.
- Pumpkin carries anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial to the body in many cases, such as arthritis.
- Pumpkin can contribute to lowering blood pressure, and can interact with antihypertensive drugs to increase their effect.
- Eating pumpkin seeds can reduce the chance of bladder stones.
- Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan (L-tryptophan), which raises the level of serotonin in the brain, and can therefore contribute to the fight against depression.
- Pumpkin seeds are a treatment approved by Commission E, which evaluates herbal and alternative treatments for nerve bladder and prostate problems.