logo

"Good for blood pressure and smooth skin"... Old pumpkin makes you younger?

"Good for blood pressure and smooth skin"... Old pumpkin makes you younger?

Reporter Kim Seong-hun (kisada@kormedi.com)
 
 
 

Old pumpkins are in season. A bowl of pumpkin porridge on a cold day is both satisfying and healthy. Old pumpkins have long been known to be beneficial for postpartum edema, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Not just old pumpkins, but all pumpkins are good for your health. USA Today recently highlighted nine health benefits.

Is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? Many people tend to think it's a vegetable, but it's actually a berry. Blueberries and acai berries, both known for their health benefits, are siblings of pumpkin. In the West, pumpkin is used in a variety of dishes, including pies, bread, and lattes. In Korea, pumpkin is enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including jeon (Korean pancakes), doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and buchimgae (Korean pancakes). So, what are pumpkin's benefits?

 

Improved immune function = Samantha Cassetti, a registered dietitian and wellness expert, says, "One cup of pumpkin contains more than the daily requirement of vitamin A." Vitamin A compounds play a key role in supporting immune function, as they aid in the development of white blood cells.

 

Healthy eyesight = Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision. "Vitamin A helps with vision by producing certain pigments that the retina needs to function properly," says Kerri Gans, a registered nurse in dialysis.

 

Rich in antioxidants = Pumpkin's vitamins A, C, E, and other antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that may help your body fight free radicals and reduce your risk of heart disease, dementia, and certain cancers.

 

Pumpkin seed oil is good for your skin = Pumpkin seed oil is rich in vitamin E. It is known to help protect skin from free radicals and provide nourishment. It also helps maintain skin firmness and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Maintain blood pressure levels Pumpkin is a good source of potassium, which can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, said Cassetti. Foods high in potassium help flush out sodium.

 

Digestive Health Pumpkin is high in fiber, which is good for digestive health. Foods high in fiber help you feel full and satisfied, making them beneficial for weight control. "Fiber can lower cholesterol levels, maintain gut health, stabilize blood sugar, and aid in weight management," said Gans.

 

Stress management Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin are both high in magnesium. "The magnesium in pumpkin helps regulate sleep and stress hormone production," says Cassetti. Magnesium can help manage levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, and has a calming effect on the nervous system.

bone health Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. Vitamin K helps stimulate proteins responsible for bone formation. Studies have shown that increasing vitamin K intake reduces the risk of bone fractures.

 

heart health Pumpkin is rich in heart-healthy nutrients and minerals, including calcium and potassium. Pumpkin's high fiber content also helps lower cholesterol levels, contributing to heart health.

 

One of pumpkin's greatest strengths as a healthy food is its ease of preparation. Pumpkin recipes can be created in a variety of ways. Cassetti advises eating pumpkin a few times a week as a healthy way to stay healthy. "A half-cup serving is standard, but even up to a full cup is beneficial," he says. "Even small amounts, whether for meals or snacks, can be beneficial."

 

 

===============

Stress management is the best.

I'm also taking care of my eye health these days.

 

I need to make pumpkin porridge

9
0
Comments 10
  • Profile Image
    강미형
    늙은호박이 혈압에 좋군요
    좋은하루 되세요 
  • Profile Image
    써니
    겨울에 늙은 호박죽 끓여 먹어야지요
    벌써 먹고 싶네요~ ㅎㅎ
    즐거운 오늘 되세요~^^
  • 해피혀니
    늙은 호박 영양이 풍부하네요^^
    정보 감사합니다
  • Profile Image
    깐데또까
     늙은 호박 맛나지요
     어릴적엔 싫어 햇는데
     요즘엔 죽으로 만들어 먹으니
     소화에도 좋고 위에도 부담이 없어
     좋은것 같아요 
  • Profile Image
    샤이너스
    늙은 호박이 좋군요 
    정보 감사합니다 
  • Profile Image
    천하무적
    완존 종합 영양제나 다름없네요 요즘 시장에. 나가면 늙은 호박이 많던데 한통 사와야겠네요
  • Profile Image
    반딧불초롱
    저렇게 좋은걸 어릴적엔 자주 먹곤했는데~
    호박죽,범벅으로~
    요즘은 자주 접할수조차 없기에 안타깝네요~
  • 다우니향기
    호박 효능이 참 좋은거같네요 
    호박이랑 친해져 보겟습니다 ㅎ
  • Profile Image
    아침햇살77
    호박 예찬이군요
    예찬 할 채소 맞아요
  • 은하수
    늙은 호박으로 호박죽이나 호박전 먹음 진짜 맛있어요 
    호박씨도 까먹고요