Pumpkin - useful properties and contraindications

The pumpkin has been known to humanity for more than 5,000 years, and since then the vegetable has been successfully cultivated everywhere. It's all about the simplicity of maintenance and care, as well as useful qualities. Pumpkin pulp, seeds, juice and oil are taken as food. Due to such a wide range of applications, people need to look for information that affects all possible characteristics of a pumpkin. Today we will talk about the valuable qualities and possible harm of vegetables.

The composition and properties of pumpkin

1. A special place in the pumpkin pulp is given to vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. It is responsible for the immune system, increases resistance to viral infections, acts as a natural antioxidant.
2. There is a group of vitamins B, including pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acids, riboflavin, thiamine. All of them are necessary for the reproductive system of men and women, as well as the central nervous system.
3. Pumpkin seed oil, seeds, pulp and even the rind contain the rarest vitamin T, which is almost never found. It enhances all metabolic processes and causes internal systems with organs to work without fail.
4. Not without the participation of natural antioxidants represented by tocopherol and retinol. They clean the blood channels of cholesterol plaques, remove toxic substances from the tissues.
5. The pumpkin itself is low-calorie, per 100 g portion. accounts for no more than 29 Kcal. And due to the fact that there are many pectic substances and fiber in the composition, the intestines are cleaned. All these properties are appreciated losing weight.
6. Pumpkin eat with toxicosis, seasickness and other bouts of nausea and gagging. Also, the vegetable contains in its composition a lot of the mineral iron, the volume of which exceeds the content of this substance in apples. Pumpkin is taken for anemia.
7. Due to the contained antioxidants, the likelihood of heavy metal salts, radionuclides, and other types of toxins accumulating in the body decreases. All this prevents cancer and the earlier aging of organs.
8. As part of the vegetable a lot of potassium, which is required for the correct operation of the heart. Does not do without dietary fiber, they control the digestive processes and do not allow food to lie down in the intestine, causing fermentation.
9. Stewed or boiled pumpkin pulp is advised to take the elderly, whose digestion is already slow. Also, this diet product perfectly copes with constipation, relieves symptoms in peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatic ailments.
10. Pregnant women need to eat pumpkin in order not to gain body weight, relieve nausea, prevent constipation and cure heartburn. And due to its diuretic properties, this vegetable is an excellent remedy for puffiness and heavy legs syndrome.
11. As part of a lot of carotene, which in combination with vitamin A supports eye health. Also, carbohydrates in vegetables are present in an easily digestible form, which allows diabetics to eat pumpkin.
12. Not only flesh is suitable for eating, but also fresh juice based on it. This tool is famous for its anthelmintic properties, but it is necessary to combine fresh with the reception of pumpkin seeds. Suitable for both adults and children.
13. In pumpkin and juice there are a lot of vitamins of group B, they are necessary for a psycho-emotional background and struggle with insomnia. Used in cosmetology pumpkin in order to eliminate acne, psoriasis, furunculosis, dermatitis, etc.

Pumpkin Use

For the digestive tract
The composition contains fiber, pectic substances and other valuable compounds that enhance intestinal motility. It also improves its microflora, is carried out to combat helminthic invasions (but only when taking vegetable seeds).

In general, pumpkin is prescribed to patients who suffer from peptic ulcer, gastritis on the background of high or low acidity. When ingested, the vegetable gently coats the mucous membranes and heals the sores.

Pumpkin in stew is recommended to use for people who suffer from constipation. Vegetable normalizes and accelerates the digestive processes, reduces the frequency of food fermentation in the esophagus.

Pumpkin slices in dried form is recommended to be used as an antiemetic for people who suffer from seasickness. The same delicacy is suitable for relieving the urge toxemia.

For vessels and heart
Earlier it was said that the pumpkin cleans the blood channels from cholesterol deposits. As a result, atherosclerosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and similar pathologies are being prevented.

Pumpkin should be eaten with high blood pressure, the vegetable reduces performance. Potassium, which accumulates in a decent amount, is necessary to relieve puffiness and normalize heart rhythm.

Patients who have diabetes are most often obese and, as a result, worsening of heart activity. Due to the fact that the pumpkin is low-calorie, it reduces the concentration of glucose, fights with excess weight, reduces the likelihood of heart disease.

With weight loss and obesity
Vegetable culture contains in its composition about 98% of water, which undoubtedly has a positive effect on the body of losing weight and patients with obesity. Water triggers all metabolic processes, which leads to rapid fat burning.

Nutritionists around the world recommend including vegetable stew in everyday meals to reduce body weight. Because the pumpkin leads to better gastrointestinal activity and assimilation of food.Food no longer wanders in the intestines, but is rapidly absorbed by the walls of the esophagus.

For the central nervous system
Very many vitamins belonging to group B are concentrated in the fetus. They are important for the human nervous system, control the psycho-emotional environment, contribute to the elimination of apathy.

Pumpkin juice is introduced into the diet for insomnia and nightmares. Seeds are needed to satisfy hunger in the evening (stew flesh will do).

When exposed to stressful situations pumpkin should be eaten at frequent intervals, preferably every day. Also, the vegetable has a positive effect on brain activity, stimulates neurons.

For sight
It contains retinol and beta-carotene, they are needed to improve vision in people who suffer from its decline. These same substances reduce the likelihood of developing glaucoma and cataracts, strengthen the eye muscles and contribute to the development of natural tears.

Incoming valuable elements that are present in the vegetable, act as antioxidants. They qualitatively clean the cells and enrich them with oxygen.

For immunity
With the help of pumpkin, otitis and other diseases of the ears, pneumonia, bronchitis, sore throat, flu, ARVI and other viral and fungal infections are treated. It's all about the ability of vegetables to strengthen the immune system.

Pumpkin to enhance the protective functions need to eat as often as possible. It is available all year round, because it is stored for a long time and concentrates all the substances necessary for the body.

Due to the increase in metabolic processes, blood circulation increases, the internal organs are healed and restored. They begin to work harmoniously, without fail. A decent iron content leads to the treatment and prevention of anemia (anemia).

Pumpkin during pregnancy and lactation

1. All future moms and girls during lactation, like no one else, are very concerned about their health and carefully make up their diet. No wonder, the fair sex is now fully responsible for the little man. Therefore, it is important to monitor your own condition and the health of the child.
2. It is worth the responsibility to approach the proper diet during breastfeeding and during the period of carrying the baby. Pumpkin will be a great product that will complement the usual menu. The vegetable contains valuable substances that are necessary for both organisms.
3. Systematic eating pumpkins while carrying a baby will help the expectant mother to cope with puffiness. Vegetable perfectly removes excess fluid from the body, solving the immediate problem. Also, raw materials fully stabilize the digestive processes. Problems with a chair disappear, useful substances are better acquired.
4. Pumpkin is considered an excellent tool that prevents the development of anemia. Also, the fetus will not suffer from hypoxia. The abundance of phosphorus and calcium in the composition of raw materials has a beneficial effect on the formation of bone tissue in the baby. Vegetable helps the girl to cope with the effects of toxemia.
5. The only thing to consider is carotenes in the pumpkin. Some women exhibit an allergic reaction to such enzymes. Therefore, be careful and consider all the details. Otherwise, you will have to completely refuse to accept this product.
6. During breastfeeding, girls are allowed to eat pumpkin as early as 10 days after birth. The active components of the raw materials will not allow to gain excess weight. This feature is very important for women during lactation.Vitamin K is sufficiently contained in vegetables. Such a substance prevents bleeding in the postpartum period.

Pumpkin contraindications

1. It is not recommended to include raw materials in the diet in the presence of diabetes, low acidity in the stomach, peptic ulcer, gastritis, duodenal pathologies and gastroduodenitis.
2. If you suffer from intestinal colic, the consumption of pumpkin in any form is contraindicated. It is also worth considering that when eating vegetable seeds, tooth enamel suffers. Therefore, do not abuse the raw materials. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water each time.
3. Individual intolerance to the pumpkin is extremely rare, but do not exclude such a feature. In other cases, in the absence of contraindications, the pumpkin will only benefit the human body. Stick to practical recommendations.

Can I eat raw pumpkin?

1. Often people are interested in a similar question, fortunately, there is a definite answer to it. Vegetable can be eaten in its original form. There are sweet varieties that can be eaten without any prior preparation.It is enough to chop the fruit into pieces of suitable size and enjoy.
2. To provide the body with the necessary trace elements, it is enough to eat about 100 grams per day. fresh vegetable. Also, raw pumpkin goes well with a variety of cocktails, dishes and vegetable salads. Without heat treatment in a product all useful qualities are saved.

Pumpkin Selection Rules

1. It is easy to choose a quality product, if you follow the practical recommendations. Without fail, feel the vegetable, examine it and feel the pleasant aroma that is characteristic of fresh pumpkin.
2. Take into account, when tactile inspection, the product should not be soft. Fresh and healthy pumpkin will only be in a solid state. Also tap a little on the fruit, as when choosing a ripe watermelon. There should be a dull sound.
3. Pumpkin shell should not contain mechanical damage in the form of abrasions and dents. Pay attention to possible rotten places. Sometimes there is a pattern on the pumpkin, it should be relatively symmetrical. During the maturity of the dry stem corresponds.
4. A quality product should be heavier than it seems visually.Regardless of the peel, the ripe fruit has a bright orange pulp. Also, the vegetable should produce a light pleasant aroma. Now you will not have problems when choosing raw materials.

Pumpkin is a unique vegetable, which has been valued for its useful and healing qualities since ancient times. Raw materials have a minimum list of contraindications. With proper and regular intake of the product, you can eliminate some health problems and significantly strengthen the body. Adhere to practical recommendations and consider the possible harm of raw materials.

Video: pumpkin juice treats and rejuvenates