Autumn is everyone's favorite time of year. The air cools, leaves change, and all of the sudden pumpkin is E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E. Starbucks rolls out pumpkin spice lattes and canned pumpkin lines grocery store shelves.
You love pumpkin, but is it good for you? Turns out, the answer is yes!
Continue reading to learn 8 surprising health benefits of pumpkin.
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1. Remove kidney stones. If you are suffering from a kidney stone, drink 1/2 glass pumpkin juice 3 times daily for 10 days. Home Remedy Hacks also recommends consuming 5- 10 grams pumpkin seeds daily to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
2. Prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Pumpkin contains beta-cryptoxanthin, a type of provitamin A that prevents rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory issues, says Home Remedy Hacks.
3. Sharpen vision. According to Huffington Post, 1 cup of cooked, mashed pumpkin contains more than 200 percent of one's daily intake of vitamin A, key to sharpening vision. As an added bonus, pumpkin gets its rich orange color from the same beta-carotene that makes carrots orange. Beta-carotene really is good for eyesight, because the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
4. Reduce your risk of cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports beta-carotene and vitamin A are two of the antioxidants that prevent against cancer.
5. Boost your workout and recover faster. According to Huffington Post, 1 cup pumpkin has a whopping 564 milligrams potassium (as a comparison, banana contains 422 milligrams potassium). Potassium is important to restoring the body's balance of electrolytes and promoting muscle function.
6. Lose weight. Reader's Digest reports 1 cup of pumpkin contains 3 grams of fiber, a slim 50 calories, and absolutely no fat. High-fiber, low-calorie foods like pumpkin can make you fuller longer, thus preventing over-eating and promoting weight loss.
7. Improve prostate health. Men should fill up on pumpkin seeds. According to Prevention's clinical herbal advisor Douglas Schar, DipPhyt, MCPP, pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols, protective compounds that can shrink an enlarged prostate. For best results, eat 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds 3 times weekly.
8. Treat menopause symptoms. Pumpkins seeds are not just for men. According to Home Remedy Hacks, pumpkin seeds contain phytoestrogens, known to decrease hot flashes, headaches, and joint pain, among other uncomfortable menopause symptoms.
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