Pumpkins
Pumpkins (Cucurbita) are round to oblong shaped vegetables with a thin outer skin, thick inner flesh, and a netting of seeds and fibers at their centers. Pumpkins are indeed a type of squash and can vary in color from orange, to green, to white.
Health benefits of Pumpkins
- Increased Protection from Bacterial and Viral Infections
- Increased Immune Function
- Reduced Cancer Risk
- Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer
- Protection Against Heart Disease
- Regulation of Blood Sugar and Insulin Dependence
- Slowing the progression of AIDS
- Slowing Aging
- DNA Repair and Protection
- Protection Against Dementia
- Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
- Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Promoted Eye Health
- Alzheimer's Protection
- Osteoporosis Protection
- Stroke Prevention
- Reduced Risk of Type II Diabetes
- Reduced Frequency of Migraine Headaches
- Alleviation of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Antioxidant Protection
- Prevention of Epileptic Seizures
- Alleviation of the Common Cold
- Prevention of Alopecia (Spot Baldness)
- Alleviation of Inflammation
Some of these health benefits come from nutrients concentrated in this food, and may not be effects of the food itself.
How to choose Pumpkins
Due the decorative custom of carving pumpkins, many different types exist and not all are for cooking and eating. As a rule of thumb, the classic looking orange round pumpkin is more for carving than cooking, and smaller paler pumpkins tend to fair better in the kitchen. A good cooking pumpkin should be firm, show no signs of wrinkling on the skin, have little smell, and have a vibrant color.
Climate and origin
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and are thought to have been cultivated for over 5000 years. A hearty plant, Pumpkins will grow in just about any climate.
Taste
Pumpkin flesh has a sweet nutty flavor and a mushy flaky texture. The seeds are usually eaten dried or roasted and have a light, slightly pungent, taste.
Miscellaneous information
Pumpkins can grow to massive sizes and achieve weights well over a thousand pounds!
Similar tasting produce
Winter Squash
Nutrition facts
| Nutrition Facts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | |||
| 100 grams (100g) | |||
| Calories | 26 | ||
| % Daily Value * | |||
| Total Fat 0.1g | 0% | ||
| Saturated Fat 0.05g | 0% | ||
| Trans Fat 0g | |||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | ||
| Sodium 1mg | 0% | ||
| Total Carbohydrate 6.5g | 2% | ||
| Dietary Fiber 0.5g | 2% | ||
| Total Sugars 2.8g | 6% | ||
| Includes --g Added Sugars | --% | ||
| Protein 1g | 2% | ||
| Vitamin C 9mg | 10% | ||
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | ||
| Iron 0.8mg | 4% | ||
| Calcium 21mg | 2% | ||
| Potassium 340mg | 7% | ||
| Phosphorus 44mg | 4% | ||
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |||