What is the use of pumpkin

The benefits of pumpkin are invaluable for health. In its chemical composition – a variety of macro and micro elements, carbohydrates, vitamins and acids. It is an indispensable product in the diet. It is worth consuming the vegetable in recommended quantities and taking into account individual restrictions.

Use the pumpkin

Nutritional value

Pumpkin, like zucchini, is one of the non-nutritious foods. Energy value: about 22 calories per 100 g.

Calorie content varies within acceptable limits depending on the type of use.

Composition (per 100 g):

• 1 g of protein;
• 0.1 g of organic acids and fats;
• 4.4 g of carbohydrates;
• 2, 0 g of dietary fiber;
• 91.8 g of water;
• 0.6 g of ash.

The composition of pumpkin pulp contains, as in carrots, an increased amount of beta-carotene (30%).

Percentage of substances from the daily norm:

• ascorbic acid – 8.9;
• pantothenic acid – 8;
• pyridoxine – 6.5;
• folates – 3.5;
• PP – 3.5;
• thiamine – 3.3;
• riboflavin – 3.3;
• alpha-tocopherol – 2 , 7;
• choline – 1.6;
• phylloquinone – 0.9;
• biotin – 0.8.

Useful properties of pumpkin are contained in a large number and variety of macro- and microelements. The percentage of substances from the daily norm:

• silicon – 100;
• copper – 18;
• cobalt – 10;
• potassium – 8.2;
• molybdenum – 6.6;
• chrome – 4;
• magnesium – 3.5;
• phosphorus – 3.1;
• calcium – 2.5;
• iron – 2.22;
• fluorine – 2.2;
• zinc – 2;
• manganese – 2;
• sulfur – 1.8;
• chlorine – 0.8;
• iodine – 0.7;
• selenium – 0.5;
• sodium – 0.3;
• a small proportion of aluminum, boron, vanadium.

Of the carbohydrates in the chemical composition of the pumpkin there are mono- and disaccharides, glucose, sucrose fructose and starch. Among the acids are saturated fatty acids (0.052 g), omega-3 (0.003 g), omega-6 (0.002 g).

About the benefits of pumpkin

Vegetable possesses healing properties

Vegetable culture, depending on the type of preparation and use, is able to bring different healing properties for human health.

In this case, both pulp and pumpkin leaves are used, and seeds.

Usually, peels are not used for food purposes.

Pumpkin leaves

The benefits of pumpkin foliage have long been proven. It is used in folk medicine in the following cases:

• Against cancer. Phenolic compounds and chlorophyll, tannins and flavonoids, glycosides and saponins are indispensable components in the fight against cancerous tumors. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and delay the formation and development of cancerous tumors.
• For cosmetic purposes. Rich in ascorbic acid foliage has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, providing it with a healthy appearance. Infusions and decoctions from the leaves have wound healing properties, activate tissue cell regeneration. The contained beta-carotene maintains healthy teeth and gums by rinsing with infusions.
• To control diabetes. Decoctions and infusions, due to their hypoglycemic effect, help diabetics maintain and control the level of glucose in the blood.Water extracts with pumpkin ethyl acetate and polysaccharides are an effective folk antidiabetic agent.
• For the immune system. The increased content of vitamin C acts as a source of developing and maintaining a high level of immunity, and is a preventive measure for acute respiratory viral infections.
• Against seizures. Lotions with decoctions made from pumpkin leaves significantly facilitate convulsive conditions.

Raw

The benefits of raw pumpkin are explained by its chemical composition. All nutrients remain intact, as the vegetable does not undergo heat treatment.

The inclusion of fresh pumpkin in the diet is one way to saturate the body with all useful substances.

Before eating, you just need to peel it, more often used as a salad ingredient.

Pumpkin nectar

Pumpkin nectar is another fresh product made from vegetables. It is recommended for the night before bedtime, as It helps calm the nervous system and acts as a natural sleeping pill.

Also juice is useful for:

• puffiness relief;
• normalization of the liver and kidneys;
• normal functioning of the urinary tract.

Compresses based on it are an effective tool for burns and mechanical injuries of the skin, as well as for the treatment of eczema.

The healing properties of pumpkin nectar are in the high content of ascorbic acid, therefore they are used as additional alternative therapy for the treatment of colds.

Boiled pumpkin

Pumpkin helps reduce excess weight

When boiling and steam pumpkin loses an insignificant composition of nutrients, but the largest amount is preserved, so it does not reduce its properties.

When boiled, the pumpkin remains low-calorie, easy to vaivaetsya, promotes weight loss, cleanses from slagging, reduces swelling. Therefore, it is indicated for people with irritated gastric mucosa and gastritis.

In a boiled form it is not recommended:

• for diabetics, because with this treatment, a sweet vegetable increases the glycemic index;
• with a weak intestine, because has a laxative property.

Candied pumpkin

Dried pumpkin is another low-calorie product that can be included in the diet against a number of diseases.

When dried, the vegetable retains most of the vitamin elements, and its storage is permissible for a long time.

Candied fruits have a beneficial effect on the digestive organs, improve metabolic processes, act as a choleretic and help strengthen memory.

Dried chips and dried candied pumpkin are not recommended for people with weak intestines, as this product improves intestinal motility and cleanses the stomach.

Seeds

From pumpkin seeds make an oil with a wide range of therapeutic effects.

It contains a high proportion protein components, a large number of macro- and microelements that positively affect the digestive, cardiac, endocrine and nervous systems.

Pumpkin seed oil is recommended for external use in the treatment of mucosal ulcers and erosions, has bactericidal and wound healing properties .

White cake for seeds and seedlings act in folk medicine as a means to normalize liver function in hepatitis, regulate kidney activity.

It is useful to take them as a biologically active supplement to lower cholesterol and cleanse the body.

Pumpkin inflorescences

Pumpkin flowers can be treated for cough.

For this purpose they are baked in a mixture with dough or a decoction is prepared from inflorescences ( 2 tbsp flowers per 200 ml of water, boil for 5 minutes, insist 0.5 h). Scones with pumpkin inflorescences are eaten with severe bouts of cough.

Medicinal decoctions drink 0.5 tbsp. 3 times a day before meals.

Practical use

For the heart and blood vessels

Vegetables increase blood coagulation

Pumpkin is useful for diseases of the cardiovascular system, it prevents anemia and activates the formation of platelets , increasing blood coagulability.

It acts as a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure, dilutes and does not thicken the blood.

To strengthen the vessels, it is recommended to use the raw vegetable in the morning, on an empty stomach, in amount of 250 g.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis pumpkin inflorescences are suitable, which are poured with an alcohol solution and kept for 7 days. Take this tincture of 20 drops 2 times a day.

Duration of the course without harm to the body – 10 days.

For the intestines

For chronic colitis and short-term intestinal constipation, pumpkin dishes are included in the diet as a laxative.

Typically, fresh salads are made from raw pumpkin (100 g), carrots (1 pc.) and apple (1 pc.), seasoned with vegetable either olive oil and eaten in the morning or in the evening.

A boiled or stewed in oil vegetable, which is mixed with honey.

For the liver and kidneys

Pumpkin seed oil helps maintain liver function and kidney function – it has a cleansing effect, helping to remove harmful toxins. Take it for 1 tsp. in the morning on an empty stomach.

Course duration – no longer than 30 days. If necessary, repeat the course after a month.

To treat liver disease, fresh pumpkin is infused with honey. To do this, clean the vegetable inside, leaving the outside of the peel, and fill the space with honey. Leave for 1.5 weeks in a dark, cool place.

1 tsp. Of real pumpkin honey 3 times a day before each meal. The duration of the course without harm to the body is up to 3 weeks. Contraindications – intolerance to honey products.

For diabetes mellitus

Patients with diabetes and people prone to accumulation of high blood glucose levels, pumpkin dishes from boiled or baked vegetable are not recommended eat.

Only a fresh product is capable of lowering sugar indices without harm to health, the glycemic index of which is only 25 units before the time of heat treatment.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system

Pumpkin dishes cost a limited amount of potato Bang those who have inflammation of the pancreas.

Vegetable shown only after removal pancreatitis attacks and is useful boiled.The daily norm is up to 300 g. Juice is contraindicated.

With existing gastritis and stomach ulcers, the vegetable is acceptable for use in raw or boiled form, subject to restrictions. Among the contraindications is decreased production of gastric juice.

For women’s health

Raw pumpkin helps relieve toxicosis

Raw pumpkin has a calming effect on toxicosis attacks in pregnant women, therefore it is indicated in small amounts for complicated pregnancy. Pumpkin oil is useful for external use in mastopathy.

For men’s health

Juice and pumpkin seeds are a source of men’s sexual activity, maintaining their potency and reproductive function at the proper level.

Rectal suppositories with pumpkin act as a remedy in case of impaired functioning of the prostate gland, they are used for prostate adenoma.

For children’s health

Fiber-rich pumpkin is an indispensable component in baby food. It regulates the digestive work of the child, helping to quickly absorb the beneficial elements derived from food.

A large proportion of vitamin C enhances immunity, ensuring the normal development of the child’s body and its growth.

Pumpkin seeds have a healing property that allows get rid of worms.

In cosmetology

Boiled vegetable is applicable for cosmetological purposes. It is kneaded into gruel and applied to the face as a rejuvenating mask. Vitamin A and E present in the vegetable actively prevent the appearance of wrinkles and delay the aging process of the skin of the face.

These vitamins act as sources of nail health and favorably affect their quality if pumpkin oil is regularly covered with nail plates.

Side Effects and Limitations

Pumpkin is harmed by the following problems:

• acid-base disturbance;
• high sugar content in the blood (diabetes);
• diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, ulcers).

Neko some face flatulence. In such cases, the use of the vegetable by doctors is not contraindicated, but its amount in the diet should be limited.

Conclusion

The pumpkin family is a source of vitamins and minerals necessary for human health. You can eat fresh, boiled, dried. Not only the fruits themselves, but also the leaves , seeds and social There are various indications for use.

When used in recommended amounts, pumpkin does not harm, but there are a number of contraindications when it should not be included in the diet.