Health benefits of pumpkin

This post is a part of the Fantabulous Fall Favorites blog chain put together by a great group of bloggers. The theme this week is pumpkins. Be sure to check out all the great ideas shared at the end of this post!

 

This is what has been appearing in front of the grocery stores lately. I took this photo in front of a Dillon's store, which is part of the Kroger chain. Aren't they beautiful?

 

And not only are pumpkins plentiful now, they are starting to go on sale. In a few weeks, they'll be really cheap! I, for one, plan to stock up and I'll tell you why. Pumpkins are good for you! 

I like pumpkins in general because they are so versatile - pie, soup, muffins, pancakes - on and on. And not only that, their consistency makes them a good substitute for egg which I always need because of Brady's egg allergy.

I had the idea they were healthy, but just recently did a little research to find out just exactly HOW healthy.  Here's what I found out about the nutrition of pumpkins as well as their interesting history:

• Pumpkins are loaded with beta carotene. Every source I looked at, from CNN to Men's Health, mentioned this benefit. This antioxidant gives it its orange color and may help prevent heart disease and cancer and boost immunity.
• It has tons of Vitamin A and Potassium. 
• 1 cup has few calories (49) and lots of fiber (almost 3g). 
• According to this article at How Stuff Works, canned pumpkin and fresh are about equally nutritious.
• At WebMD, this article states that 80 % of the U.S. pumpkin supply is available in October. This article also states canned and fresh are fairly similar with small variations in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. 
• According to the Poughkeepsie Journal it is also a good source of vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, riboflavin, copper and manganese. 
• The Huffington Post reports that pumpkin seeds - also called pepitas - are rich in phytosterols which are touted for reducing bad cholesterol. Wikipedia states they are a good source of protein, magnesium, copper and zinc. 
• The Huffington Post also states that pumpkin seeds can boost your mood because they contain the amino acid tryptophan and that pumpkin boasts more potassium than a banana. 
• Livestrong.com touts the seeds' zinc content. 
• Jack Creek Farms in California has a really neat website all about pumpkins. There is a full nutrition break down here, information on growing pumpkins here, a great list of varieties here and recipes here.
• According to the farm website, pumpkin is a fruit!  Here's more about what constitutes a fruit or vegetable at Mayo Clinic's website.
• Pumpkins originated in North America and were grown, cooked and eaten by Native Americans. I had no idea!
• According to Wikipedia, the oldest evidence of pumpkin-related seeds dates between 7000 and 5500 BC in Mexico.
• Also at Wikipedia, Nestle (under the name Libby's) produces 85 % of the processed pumpkin the U.S. I remember in 2009 when canned pumpkin had a shortage because of rains in Illinois.
• When I first attempted to grow pumpkins last year, I was surprised to learn that the plant has both male and female flowers. It is well described here at Missouri Botanical Garden's website.

I hope this little research project has inspired you to go out and stock up on pumpkin as well. It's a far more interesting plant than I ever knew. Happy Fall!

Interested in more amazing Pumpkins ideas? Check out these posts!

Bee Tree Studios - This is Halloween, Halloween!
Gift of Curiosity - Pumpkin Decorating with Melted Crayon
Creative K Kids - Monster Pumpkin Cookies
Called to Be a Mom - 6 Easy Pumpkin Activities for Preschoolers

Still want more? Head to our Fantabulous Fall Favorites Pinterest Board!