Eating Pumpkin Is Healthier Than You Imagine

Pumpkins aren't only useful for making pies. They are delicious and have some impressive health benefits.

Most people associate pumpkins with jack-o-lanterns and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. However this brightly colored member of the squash family is full of healthy nutrients and antioxidants. Pumpkin is biologically a fruit (not a vegetable like most folks think). It contains a high concentration of vitamin A plus vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and potassium. Researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of pumpkins may help individuals with arthritis pain and joint pain, such as arthritis knee pain, hip pain, wrist pain and elbow pain. Pumpkin is also believed to lower cholesterol, promote prostate health, and reduce the risk of various types of cancer.

Although the pumpkin meat you find in the canned food aisle seems to have a creamy texture, pumpkin is actually a wonderful natural source of fiber. The fiber content is more noticeable as you carve up your jack-o-lantern and detach the little orange strands of meat from the myriad of seeds. Speaking of which, pumpkin seeds are high in protein plus vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and magnesium. Pumpkin is an amazing plant, most parts of which are edible including the meat, shell, leaves, and delicate golden flowers.