Pumpkin - useful properties and contraindications

Pumpkin has been known to mankind for more than 5,000 years, and since then the vegetable has been successfully cultivated everywhere. It's all about the unpretentiousness of maintenance and care, as well as useful qualities. The food is pumpkin pulp, seeds, juice and oil. Due to such a wide range of applications, people need to look for information that affects all the possible characteristics of a pumpkin. Today we will talk about the valuable qualities and possible harm to the vegetable crop.

Composition and properties of pumpkins

1. A special place in the pumpkin pulp is given to vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. It is responsible for the immune system, increases resistance to viral infections, acts as a natural antioxidant.
2. There is a group of vitamins B in the composition, among them pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acids, riboflavin, and thiamine are isolated. All of them are necessary for the reproductive system of men and women, as well as the central nervous system.
3. Pumpkin oil, seeds, pulp and even peel contain the rarest vitamin T, which is almost never found. It increases all metabolic processes and makes internal systems with organs work without failures.
4. Not without the participation of natural antioxidants represented by tocopherol and retinol. They cleanse the blood channels of cholesterol plaques, remove toxic substances from tissues.
5. Pumpkin itself is low-calorie, per serving of 100 g. accounted for no more than 29 kcal. And due to the fact that a lot of pectin and fiber are present, the intestines are cleansed. All these properties are appreciated by those who lose weight.
6. Pumpkin is eaten in case of toxicosis, motion sickness and other bouts of nausea and vomiting. Also, the vegetable contains in its composition a lot of iron mineral, the volume of which exceeds the content of this substance in apples. Pumpkin is taken for anemia.
7. Thanks to the antioxidants contained, the probability of heavy metal salts, radionuclides, and other types of toxins accumulating in the body is reduced. All this prevents cancer and earlier organ aging.
8. The vegetable contains a lot of potassium, which is required for the proper functioning of the heart. It is not complete without dietary fiber, they control the digestive processes and do not allow food to settle in the intestines, causing fermentation.
9. Stewed or boiled pumpkin pulp is recommended for older people, whose digestion is already slowed down. Also, this dietary product copes with constipation, relieves the symptoms of peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatic ailments.
10. Pregnant women need to eat a pumpkin so as not to gain weight, relieve nausea, prevent constipation and cure heartburn. And due to its diuretic properties, this vegetable is an excellent remedy for swelling and heavy legs syndrome.
11. It contains a lot of carotene, which in combination with vitamin A supports eye health. Also, carbohydrates in vegetables are present in an easily digestible form, which allows diabetics to eat pumpkin.
12. For eating, not only pulp is suitable, but also freshly squeezed juice based on it. Such a remedy is famous for its anthelmintic properties, but it is necessary to combine fresh with the intake of pumpkin seeds. Suitable for both adults and children.
13. There are a lot of B vitamins in pumpkin and juice, they are needed for the psycho-emotional background and the fight against insomnia. Pumpkin is used in cosmetology in order to eliminate acne, psoriasis, furunculosis, dermatitis, etc.

Pumpkin good

For the digestive tract
The composition contains fiber, pectin substances and other valuable compounds that enhance intestinal motility. Also, its microflora is improved, the fight against helminthic infestations is carried out (but only when taking vegetable seeds).

In general, pumpkin is prescribed to patients who suffer from peptic ulcer, gastritis against a background of high or low acidity. When it enters the esophagus, the vegetable gently envelops the mucous membranes and heals ulcers.

Stewed pumpkin is recommended for people who suffer from constipation. Vegetable normalizes and speeds up digestive processes, reduces the frequency of food fermentation in the esophagus.

It is recommended to use pumpkin slices in dried form as an antiemetic for people who suffer from seasickness. This same treat is suitable for withdrawing urges for toxicosis.

For blood vessels and heart
Earlier it was said that pumpkin cleanses the blood channels from cholesterol deposits. As a result, the prevention of atherosclerosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and similar pathologies is carried out.

Pumpkin needs to be eaten with high blood pressure, the vegetable reduces performance. Potassium, which accumulates in a decent volume, is necessary to relieve swelling, normalize heart rate.

Patients with diabetes are most often obese and, as a result, worsen heart activity. Due to the fact that the pumpkin is low-calorie, it reduces the concentration of glucose, fights with excess weight, reduces the likelihood of heart pathologies.

With weight loss and obesity
Vegetable culture contains about 98% of water, which undoubtedly positively affects the body of losing weight and obese patients. Water starts all metabolic processes, which leads to the rapid burning of fat.

Nutritionists around the world recommend incorporating a stewed vegetable culture into daily nutrition to reduce body weight. Because pumpkin leads to better gastrointestinal activity and the absorption of food. Food no longer roams in the intestines, but is quickly absorbed by the walls of the esophagus.

For the central nervous system
The fetus is concentrated a lot of vitamins belonging to group B. They are important for the human nervous system, control the psycho-emotional environment, contribute to the elimination of apathy.

Pumpkin juice is introduced into the diet for insomnia and nightmares. Seeds are needed to satisfy hunger in the evening (stew pulp is also suitable).

When exposed to stressful situations, you need to eat pumpkin with frequent intervals, preferably every day. Also, the vegetable has a positive effect on brain activity, stimulates neurons.

For sight
Available in the composition of retinol and beta-carotene, they are needed to increase vision in people who suffer from its decline. These same substances reduce the likelihood of developing glaucoma and cataracts, strengthen the eye muscles and contribute to the development of a natural tear.

The incoming valuable elements that are present in the vegetable act as antioxidants. They cleanse cells efficiently and enrich them with oxygen.

For immunity
With the help of a pumpkin, otitis media and other diseases of the ears, pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, influenza, acute respiratory viral infections and other viral and fungal infections are treated. It's all about the ability of a vegetable to strengthen immunity.

Pumpkin should be eaten as often as possible to increase protective functions. It is available year-round, because it is stored for a long time and concentrates all the substances necessary for the body.

Due to the increase in metabolic processes, blood circulation is enhanced, internal organs are healed and restored. They begin to work smoothly, without failures. A decent iron content leads to the treatment and prevention of anemia (anemia).

Pumpkin during pregnancy and lactation

1. All future mothers and girls during lactation, like no one else, take great care of their health and carefully compose a diet.Do not be surprised, the fair sex is now fully responsible for the little man. Therefore, it is important to monitor your own condition and health of the child.
2. It is worthwhile to come to the right diet with all the responsibility during breastfeeding and during the period of gestation. Pumpkin will be an excellent product that will complement the usual menu. The composition of the vegetable contains valuable substances that are necessary for both organisms.
3. Systematic eating a pumpkin while carrying a baby will help the expectant mother cope with puffiness. The vegetable perfectly removes excess fluid from the body, solving an urgent problem. Also, the raw material fully stabilizes the digestive processes. Problems with stool disappear, nutrients are better absorbed.
4. Pumpkin is considered an excellent tool that prevents the development of anemia. Also, the fetus will not suffer from hypoxia. The abundance of phosphorus and calcium in the composition of the raw material has a beneficial effect on the formation of bone tissue in the baby. A vegetable helps a girl cope with the effects of toxicosis.
5. The only thing to consider is that carotenes are present in the pumpkin. Some women have an allergic reaction to such enzymes. Therefore, be careful and consider all the subtleties. Otherwise, you will have to completely refuse to accept this product.
6. While breastfeeding, girls are allowed to eat pumpkin already on the 10th day after birth. Active components of raw materials will not allow to gain excess weight. This feature is very important for women during lactation. Vitamin K is contained in a vegetable in sufficient quantities. Such a substance prevents bleeding in the postpartum period.

Pumpkin contraindications

1. It is not recommended to include raw materials in the diet in the presence of diabetes mellitus, low acidity in the stomach, peptic ulcer, gastritis, pathologies of the duodenum and gastroduodenitis.
2. If you suffer from intestinal colic, consuming pumpkin in any form is contraindicated. It is also worth considering that when eating vegetable seeds, tooth enamel suffers. Therefore, do not abuse raw materials. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water each time.
3. Individual intolerance to pumpkin is extremely rare, but this feature should not be ruled out. In other cases, in the absence of contraindications, pumpkin will only benefit the human body. Follow practical guidelines.

Is it possible to eat raw pumpkin?

1. Often people are interested in a similar question, fortunately, there is a definite answer to it. Vegetable can be eaten in its original form. There are sweet varieties that you can eat without any prior preparation. It is enough to chop the fruit into pieces of a suitable size and enjoy.
2. To provide the body with the necessary trace elements, it is enough to eat about 100 grams per day. fresh vegetable. Raw pumpkin also goes well with various cocktails, dishes and vegetable salads. Without heat treatment, the product retains all useful qualities.

Pumpkin selection rules

1. It’s easy to choose a quality product if you follow practical recommendations. Feel free to touch the vegetable, inspect it and feel the pleasant aroma that is typical for fresh pumpkins.
2. Please note, during a tactile examination, the product should not be soft. Fresh and healthy pumpkin will only be in solid condition. Also tap on the fruit a bit, as when choosing a ripe watermelon. A dull sound should be made.
3. The shell of the pumpkin should not contain mechanical damage in the form of abrasions and dents. Pay attention to possible rotten places. Sometimes there is a pattern on the pumpkin, it should be relatively symmetrical. The dry stem is responsible for maturity.
4. A quality product should be heavier than it seems visually.Regardless of the peel, the ripe fruit has a bright orange flesh. Also, the vegetable should emit a light pleasant aroma. Now you will have no problems when choosing raw materials.

Pumpkin is a unique vegetable that has been valued for its useful and healing qualities since ancient times. Raw materials have a minimum list of contraindications. With the correct and regular intake of the product, you can eliminate some health problems and significantly strengthen the body. Follow practical guidelines and consider potential damage to raw materials.

Video: pumpkin juice heals and rejuvenates