Pumpkin: properties and contraindications A couple of months ago we received questions related to pumpkin, also called pumpkin or squash, such as the following: What are the disadvantages of pumpkin? Could you tell me the disadvantages of pumpkin? What are the disadvantages of pumpkin? Does the pumpkin have properties and contraindications? What are the contraindications of pumpkin?
In order to give you the answers to these questions, we must first analyze its botanical aspect.
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General and botanical aspects
Auyama is a vegetable that provides health benefits, but it also has contraindications and side effects that are worth knowing.
Although it is native to North America, it is now cultivated in many regions of the world. Depending on the place of cultivation, it can vary in textures.
Being a good source of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, etc., it provides a number of health benefits and beauty benefits for our skin and hair. Let’s see below the squash benefits and contraindications:
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Pumpkin or squash properties and contraindications
Benefits of pumpkin, pumpkin or auyama
Improves men’s sexual health Pumpkins, and especially their seeds, are packed with beta-carotene and other antioxidants that have protective properties against cancer.
Taiwanese researchers found that pumpkin seed oil blocked harmful prostrate growth in male rats. ¼ cup of the seeds contains about 2.75 mg of zinc, which may contribute to male sexual health.
According to a Wayne State University study, young men who did not get enough zinc intake had substantially lower testosterone levels after 20 weeks.
better sleep The Pumpkin seeds they are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that is responsible for post-Thanksgiving dinner drowsiness. Tryptophan also contributes to helping the body produce serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps you relax and unwind. In addition to promoting better sleep, serotonin will improve your mood.
Helps reduce the risk of cancer Research conducted by the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health shows a positive relationship between a diet rich in beta-carotene and a reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer.
He beta carotene has an inverse relationship with the development of colon cancer in the Japanese. Additionally, the plant sterols present in pumpkin seeds may help fight certain types of cancer.
better immunity Looking for a way to fight disease and improve your overall immune system? Then you should try pumpkin. Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, and both offer an immune boost due to their powerful blend of nutrients and combination. They help your body viruses, infectious diseases and infections. Pumpkin oil can help you fight numerous fungal and bacterial infections.
May help treat diabetes In scientific tests, pumpkins have been shown to lower blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, and increase the amount of insulin produced by the body.
healthy cholesterol Pumpkin supports healthy cholesterol levels. Research conducted on animals and humans have shown the positive effects of pumpkin on cholesterol levels. Pumpkin is high in soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps lower “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, LDL cholesterol).
Fiber is not absorbed in the intestine; therefore, it can bind to cholesterol in the intestine and remove it from the body. Eating 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day can help lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 5 percent. Eating pumpkin is a good way to increase your intake of soluble fiber.
Research has also shown improvements in «good» cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, HDL) in people who consume pumpkin seed oil. One study found a whopping 16% increase in HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women given 2g of pumpkin seed oil daily for 12 weeks. The researchers theorized that this result was due to phytoestrogens present in the pumpkin seeds (for example, secoisolariciresinol).
Phytoestrogens are compounds found naturally in plants. These compounds have been extensively researched because they have weak estrogenic activity. During menopause, estrogen levels drop, causing negative changes in cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar). Therefore, the consumption of phytoestrogens can help reduce some of the negative effects observed during menopause.
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Benefits of pumpkin for the skin
youthful skin The beta-carotene present in pumpkin not only helps protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but the pulp also makes a wonderful natural mask that not only soothes but also exfoliates.
Additionally, pumpkin contains 20% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, which can help you recover from colds more quickly. One cup of cooked pumpkin comprises more than 11 milligrams of vitamin C, which is around 20% of the IOM recommended daily intake for women (men are advised to aim for 75mg)
Also know recipes Pumpkin juices and smoothies to lose weight, cholesterol and more
Fruit enzymes, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids increase cell turnover, smooth skin, and help control oil production and hormone level.
Everything you need for a pumpkin face mask It is a quarter of a pumpkin in puree, a spoonful of honey, a spoonful of milk, an egg. Combine all the items and apply to your face, wait for about 30 minutes, and then wash off with lukewarm water.
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Contraindications and disadvantages
Disadvantages of pumpkin, squash or squash #1 It can cause allergic reactions In moderate consumption, pumpkin is a safe food and provides a number of health benefits, such as maintaining cardiovascular health, regulating blood pressure, regulating sugar level, maintaining digestive health, improving metabolism, strengthening the immune system. , etc.
However, if you are allergic to pumpkin, then it is better to completely avoid pumpkin as otherwise, it can lead to allergic reactions like itching, dermatitis, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips and face, etc.
These people should avoid pumpkins altogether, as the allergic reaction can be triggered even by skin contact with pumpkin or squash seeds.
Disadvantages of pumpkin, squash or squash #2 Not so good for our digestive system if consumed abundantly Regular and moderate consumption of pumpkin is very beneficial for our stomach and helps keep our digestive system healthy. This benefit of pumpkin is mainly due to the presence of many nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, etc. in them.
The dietary fibers present in pumpkin act as a natural laxativeimprove intestinal movement and ensure the smooth removal of waste from our body.
By doing so, it not only provides relief from constipation, but also reduces the risk of digestive disorders such as abdominal pain, bloating, indigestionetc. Other nutrients like vitamins and minerals also play an important role in maintaining our digestive health.
Although the dietary fibers present in pumpkin provide a number of benefits, still it is better to eat pumpkin in moderation as there are also some side effects of excessive intake of dietary fibers.
Some of the major side effects of overeating dietary fibers are malabsorption, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, indigestion, intestinal gas, intestinal bloating, etc. For this reason, it is best to eat pumpkin in moderation.
Although the pumpkin, having fiber, helps in case of constipation, excessive consumption of its seed can cause just that effect. That is, constipation, since it contains elements that cause greater absorption of water and eventually leads to hard stools.
Disadvantages of pumpkin, squash or squash #3 can cause carotenemia. It is a skin disorder caused by the great abundance in the pumpkin of a substance called beta-carotene that when eaten excessively causes a change in the person’s skin color to an orange tone. It occurs more often in young children. Once you stop eating squash, that skin color disappears.
Disadvantages of pumpkin, squash or squash #4 It can cause hypoglycemia if you eat too much Pumpkin has been found to be very beneficial for patients who are diabetic or at risk of developing diabetes. This benefit of pumpkin is mainly due to the low sugar (carbohydrate) content present in them.
Regular consumption of pumpkins decreases the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream and this helps to control diabetes.
Furthermore, the dietary fibers present in pumpkin also play an important role in the management of diabetes due to their ability to reduce the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream.
Although pumpkin is very effective in managing diabetes, it is best eaten in moderation as eating too much pumpkin can drop blood sugar to dangerously low levels, which can lead to ‘hypoglycemia’.
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which our blood sugar level drops to a dangerously low level leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, headache, dizziness, excessive hunger, excessive sweating, loss of consciousness , etc.
Also, if you are a diabetic patient and are already taking medication for the same, then including excessive pumpkin in your diet may interfere with the medication and may cause your blood sugar level to drop into the danger zone. This is another reason to eat pumpkin in moderation, and if you are taking medication, then it is better to eat pumpkin only according to the doctor’s advice.
Disadvantages of pumpkin, squash or squash #5 It can cause hypotension if I eat too much It has been found that consuming pumpkin on a regular basis and…