In this article we will tell you about what a vegetable like pumpkin is. Useful properties and contraindications to eating this product will also be described below.
Botanical description
A pumpkin is a genus of herbaceous plants thatbelongs to the pumpkin family. It has hairy or hard-rough stems, creeping along the ground. Also, this plant has branched tendrils and large burdock-shaped leaves.
As you know, the pumpkin has large white or yellow flowers that can sit either alone or in bunches. It is on them that the fruits are formed.
Pumpkin, beneficial properties and contraindications tothe use of which we describe in detail below, is a large vegetable covered with a solid outer layer. As a rule, its crust has an uneven surface. Inside this vegetable there are numerous oblate sunflower seeds.
Vegetable history
The benefits of pumpkin for human health is indisputable.After all, this vegetable began to be eaten 5 thousand years ago. It was first seen in ancient Rome and Greece. In Mexico, it was presented to the table in 3000 BC. As for Egypt and Persia, as well as Indian tribes and oriental countries, the pumpkin in them was valued and loved for its quick preparation and beneficial properties.
This vegetable was used by everyone.Pumpkin eaten raw, stuffed, baked and fried. Moreover, many people used this product not only as food, but they also made a lot of useful things for the house (for example, jugs, bowls, trays for children, hats and musical instruments).
Caloric value of the product
Low calorie and pumpkin use allowseat it is committed to any person. As it is known, its energy value is about 23 kilocalories per 100 g. This value is especially pleasing to those who love this vegetable very much, but at the same time carefully watching their figure.
No wonder many nutritionists recommend regularlyuse this product to your customers. From it you can easily make a variety of cereals, casseroles and desserts. It should be noted that for the preparation of the presented vegetable you will not need any culinary knowledge. After all, dishes are made from it easily and simply.
It must be said that the pumpkin becomes soft and usable already after 15-18 minutes after the start of the heat treatment.
Pumpkin: useful properties and contraindications
Many people know about the beneficial properties of this product. But if you do not have this information, we will present it right now.
Основная польза тыквы для организма заключается в that it contains a huge amount of useful elements. It has long been established that the mentioned vegetable includes vitamins A, B2, B1, B3, B9, B6, C and PP. As for micro-and macronutrients, the pumpkin is very rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, copper, fluorine and zinc.
From the foregoing, we can safely concludethat the benefits of pumpkin for the human body is huge. After all, it has a large supply of all useful vitamins and elements that are essential for a person.
It should also be noted that the pulp of this fruithelps to easily cope with irritability and fatigue. The substances contained in it improve sleep, calm the nervous system and significantly increase attention.
Fresh juice made from pumpkin,recommended to take during stress and autumn depressions. Also, pumpkin is very useful to those people who constantly have weakened immunity. But this is only if they have no contraindications to its use in food.
Contraindications to the use of the product
The benefits of boiled pumpkin, as well as raw, baked orfried, indisputable. But if you think that this product can be consumed by everyone and in any quantities, then you are mistaken. After all, like any other fruits that are saturated with useful elements, the pumpkin also has its own contraindications. About them will be discussed below.
So, it is not recommended to use pumpkin in any form, if you have the following deviations in health:
- individual intolerance of the product;
- allergic reaction to a vegetable;
- gastritis with low acidity (especially in the period of exacerbation);
- gastric and duodenal ulcer (especially in the period of exacerbation);
- diabetes.
If you have one of the above-mentioned health disorders, it is prohibited to take pumpkin for food. Otherwise, you can significantly worsen your condition.
How does it affect the body?
To understand how this product generally affectshuman health, we decided to tell you about what changes you can observe in yourself after regular and, of course, the correct use of this vegetable.
Vision improvement
As mentioned above, the pumpkin contains a largethe amount of vitamin A (i.e. carotene). Of course, the substance in this product is much less than in carrots. But, regularly eating a vegetable, you will definitely notice that it positively affects the organs of vision, protecting them from various ailments.
Digestion Improvement
Pumpkin seeds, the benefit and harm of which always cause violent debate, should be consumed only raw. After all, after heat treatment, they lose almost all their vitamins and trace elements.
So how are pumpkin seeds helpful?The benefits and harm of seeds cause an ambiguous attitude among their lovers. On the one hand, such a product contains a lot of substances that beneficially affect the entire digestive system. On the other hand, pumpkin seeds abound in salicylic acid, which can easily cause a stomach ulcer. That is why it is not recommended to use such seeds in large quantities.
Что касается оранжевой мякоти тыквы, то она affects the digestive system only in a positive way. By consuming this fruit with meat, you can significantly facilitate the process of digestion. It should also be noted that the pumpkin contains a lot of fiber. Thanks to the latter, you can clean your digestive tract from accumulated slags in a short period of time.
Benefit for hypertensive patients
Baked pumpkin, the use of which isThe indisputable fact is very often recommended for those who suffer from high blood pressure. Its regular use helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, as well as the normalization of water-salt balance.
It is impossible not to say that such a fruit is almost always shown to those who have elevated cholesterol levels.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Pumpkin, beneficial properties and contraindications tothe use of which has been described in detail above, is used not only as a food product. So, orange fruit is often used as an external agent. This is due to the fact that pumpkin has anti-inflammatory properties. Crushed in mush, it is applied to the skin with burns, pimples, eczema and rash. As practice shows, such a folk remedy in a short time reduces pain, and also contributes to the rapid healing of wounds.
What else is useful in an orange vegetable?
Many experts claim that the pumpkin possessesexcellent diuretic effects. This fruit contains a lot of water (about 90%), as well as potassium salts. And therefore actively contributes to the gradual dissolution of sand and stones in the bladder and kidneys.
If a patient has inflamed hemorrhoids, then he only needs to use the pumpkin raw.
Также следует отметить, что, регулярно включая в your diet is such a vegetable, you are able to get rid of emotional stress and depression. Experts have noticed that pumpkin lovers are in high spirits and noticeably increased vitality.
Due to its special properties, this product is good for insomnia. Moreover, due to the high content of vitamin C pumpkin contributes to the fight against viral diseases.
Application in cosmetology
Having learned about the beneficial properties of this vegetable, manyCompanies began to make on its basis various balsams, shampoos, lotions, creams, soaps and masks. Those cosmetics, which are intended for application to the skin, are famous for their rejuvenating effect. As practice shows, they are able to smooth out not very deep wrinkles.
The benefits of pumpkin for men
According to experts, men shouldpay special attention to pumpkin seeds already familiar to us. After all, they are rich in substances such as zinc, which is involved in the formation of testosterone.
Eating a few seeds every day, representatives of the stronger sex are able to protect their bodies from diseases such as prostate adenoma and prostate gland.
It should also be noted that pumpkin juice is also very useful for men. This is due to the fact that he very quickly restores physical strength after a working day.
By the way, it has long been proved that the pumpkin significantly increases male potency. That is why it is among the ten best aphrodisiacs.
How to choose and store?
Before buying such a vegetable should pay itsattention to its size. Do not chase after big fruits. It is better to buy an average pumpkin, which has a weight of 4-5 kg. At the same time, one should pay attention to its skin. It should be free of stains, bruises and cracks, as well as other damage.
To properly store a pumpkin, you need to knowthat she likes cool and light-tight places. The ideal place for such a vegetable cellar will serve. By the way, the pumpkin must have a stem. This is the only way to ensure its long and proper storage.
