Pumpkin Power! Superfood Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!

Pumpkin Power! Superfood Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!
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Pumpkin is at the heart of Halloween festivities, and for
many is the only experience they have of the squash all
season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin carving
rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy
pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes
are just as worth getting excited about and that it would
be foolish not to eat the remaining flesh left over from
your pumpkin carving. (As a note, if you're rolling up your
sleeves ready to tackle your orange fellow there are plenty
of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas available on the
internet).

Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it's not just the
inner meat of a pumpkin that's virtuous but its seeds are
super nutritous too and contain a wealth of
health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and
squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much
celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their
flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E,
magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and
variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant
natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous
cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin
contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge
concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a
cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene
protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has
also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin
A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth,
development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents
cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to
stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium,
potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its
heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most
effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has
been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in
particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other
squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and
sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty
alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known
as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy
texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in
minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing
approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium
and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous,
potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also
contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant
qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been
used throughout history in India, Europe and America to
fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with
prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been
recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its
high content of essential fatty acids.

Pumpkin seeds have been found to help prevent against
prostate gland enlargement due to the chemical substances
called cucurbitacins it contains. The essential fatty acids
in pumpkin seeds are also necessary for prostate health,
and zinc (which pumpkin seeds are especially high in) is
great for the reproductive systems and has been shown to
reduce prostate size.

The L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds is known to have
anti-depressant properties, so it is suggested eating them
can elevate your mood. Pumpkin seeds also contain omega-3
fatty acids known for their role in improving mental
function, alleviating depression and aiding memory. Both
the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in pumpkin
seeds have a broad range of health functions in the body.

So, for a smashing pumpkin Halloween, as well enjoying
carving pumpkins, check out some tasty pumpkin recipes so
you can benefit from the super healthy flesh of your
pumpkin carving remains, and throw a handful of pumpkin
seeds on top for that extra nutritional boost!

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MIRACLE SUPERFOODS:
http://www.miracle-superfoods.com
MANIFESTING SECRETS:
http://www.manifestingsecrets.co.uk
MIRACLE MIND:
http://www.miracle-mind.com