Did you know pumpkins are great for your health?

The Many Benefits of Pumpkin

Halloween is around the corner! And Pumpkins are everywhere...

Many of us think Pumpkins are to carve funny faces, and make Jack O' Lanterns for Halloween.  And they are. And such fun too... But Pumpkins have an amazing number of Health Benefits as well.  Here are a few:

1. Pumpkins are a great source of Vitamin A and keep our eyesight sharp! One cup of cooked, mashed pumpkin has 200% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, which aids vision, according to theUS National Institute of Health
   
2. Pumpkins aid Fat Loss!  Pumpkins are a great source of Fiber. Three grams/cup of cooked pumpkin! Thats just 49 calories. A fiber rich diet can help people eat less and shed weight. So, cooked pumpkin can keep you full and healthy, helping fat loss as well.
3. Pumpkins have Heart-Healthy Magnesium! One-quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, which participates in a wide range of vitally important physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of your heart, proper bone and tooth formation, relaxation of your blood vessels, and proper bowel function. Magnesium hasbeen shown to benefit your blood pressure and help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke.
4. Pumpkins protect the skin:  Who knew? The free-radical-neutralizing powers of the carotenoids in pumpkins can help keep the skin wrinkle free, according to Health Magazine.  
5. Pumpkins may help reduce risk of cancer: Pumpkins boast the antioxidant beta-carotenewhich may play a role in cancer prevention, according to the US National Cancer Institute
6. Pumpkins are a great source of Energy: One cup of cooked pumpkin has 546mg of the refueling nutrient potassium. Can be a great energy booster after a hard workout!
7. Pumpkin seeds have amazing benefits: With a wide variety of nutrients ranging from magnesium and manganese to copper, protein and zinc, pumpkin seeds are nutritional powerhouses wrapped up in a very small package. They also contain plant compounds known as phytosterols and free-radical scavenging antioxidants which can give your health an added boost.
1. The seeds are rich in phytosterols which reduce LDC or "bad cholesterol". 
2. The seeds are rich in amino acid tryptophan that can help restful sleep if eaten a few hours before bedtime with a little carbohydrate in the form of a small fruit
3. The tryptophan in the seeds helps the production of serotonin that helps boost your mood and your outlook stay bright
4. The seeds help heart and liver health since they are rich in fiber, antioxidants and healthy fatsPumpkin seed oil is rich in natural phytoestrogens and studies suggest it may lead to a significant increase in good “HDL” cholesterol along with decreases in blood pressure, hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women
5. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc (one ounce contains more that 2mg). Zinc is an important mineral that benefits the body in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep, mood, sense of taste and smell, eys and skin health, insulin regulation and prostate health. 
6. Pumpkin seeds may help improve insulin regulation and help prevent diabetic complications by reducing oxidative stress, as shown in animal studies.
   
   
   
   
   ENJOY PUMPKINS! ENJOY GOOD HEALTH! ENJOY HALLOWEEN!