Written and Published by BMT Foods, October 31, 2019
If there’s any food that basically defines the arrival of fall, it’s pumpkin. We enjoy pumpkin flavors in all sorts of places—pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, and even pumpkin juice. As it turns out, this “guilty pleasure” is loaded with health benefits, so, no cause to feel guilty.
Let’s look at five healthy reasons to love everything(!) pumpkin, valid any time of year.
1. Good for the Eyes
A regular supply of pumpkin in the diet is an excellent way to encourage better eyesight, especially as we age. Pumpkin is rich in beta carotene, which our bodies use to make Vitamin A. This nutrient, along with ample quantities of lutein and zeaxanthin, are linked to a reduced risk of macular degeneration.
2. Excellent Weight Loss Food
Pumpkin is considered a nutrient-dense food, which means you get more nutrients per calorie than you would with other foods. Pumpkin also likely provides more nutrients per dollar than many other foods, so it is an excellent way to maximize your nutrients per dollar spent. In addition, pumpkin has fewer calories per ounce than other carbs like potatoes, enabling pumpkin to make you feel full without packing on the weight. Many nutritionists are on the money when they recommend pumpkin as part of a healthy weight loss plan.
3. Great for the Immune System
Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin C, which is known to be an immune system booster. Pumpkin seeds are also a welcome source of peptides valued for their natural antimicrobial qualities. Thus, not only is consuming pumpkin a wonderful fall tradition—it can help keep your immune system strong and healthy just in time for cold and flu season.
4. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Pumpkin is naturally sweet without being too sweet, which means on its own (no sugar added), it’s an excellent food source for diabetics. In addition, the phytonutrients in pumpkin can also help to regulate blood sugar.
5. Reduced Cancer Risk
Pumpkin contains an entire arsenal of nutrients like iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and antioxidants—all of which in combination are scientifically shown to reduce the risk of many types of cancers. Pumpkin is also rich in soluble fiber, which can reduce the risk of various cancers in the digestive tract.
Pumpkin provides other health benefits too numerous to mention here—but these five give us plenty of reason to enjoy everything pumpkin without guilt. At BMT Foods, we’re proud to offer pumpkin puree and pumpkin powder (made from puree or made from juice) as part of our wide selection of nutrient-rich products. To learn more and to get answers to your questions, reach out to us via the link below.
