Useful properties of pumpkin and contraindications for use

Hello, friends!

How do you feel about pumpkin? Unfortunately, for some reason, not everyone loves it and eats it, and if they do, they either cook porridge or bake it. But still, the benefits of raw pumpkin are so significant that, despite all my love for pumpkin soup, pancakes and casseroles, I prefer raw pumpkin in the form of salads, besides, they are much tastier than boiled pumpkin!

And I hope that my article on the benefits and dangers of raw pumpkin for the body in general, as well as the benefits for women and men separately, will change your attitude towards this delicious berry, and by trying raw pumpkin dishes, the recipes of which I will share, you too will definitely fall in love. Pumpkin should be a staple in our diet.

What is pumpkin

Pumpkin is a herbaceous plant with creeping stems, large leaves located on elongated petioles. The fruits are large false berries (5-10 kg).

Vitamins and minerals in the composition

The beneficial properties of pumpkin for the human body are due to its chemical composition:

• antioxidants (retinol, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid);
• organic acids;
• starch;
• trace elements (iron, iodine, zinc, fluorine, cobalt);
• macronutrients (calcium, sulfur, phosphorus salts, potassium, chlorine, sodium);
• B vitamins (riboflavin, pyridoxine, thiamine, nicotinic, folic and pantothenic acids);
• fiber.

Calorie count

The energy value of a product depends on the type in which it is consumed.

Varieties

There are 3 main types of pumpkin:

1. Hard-faced. Upon reaching maturity, the outer part of the false berry turns into a dense rind. Differs in early ripening - it reaches ripeness within a month. It has a ribbed stalk.
2. Muscat. Heat-loving, ripens late. The peduncle expands at the base, has a pentagonal sectional shape. The seeds are brown.
3. Large. Differs in large fruits with a high sugar content. The peduncle is round, the leaf plates are kidney-shaped. The seeds are colored cream or milky. The large-fruited species is resistant to low temperatures, can be stored for a long time.

Difference between butternut squash and ordinary

The nutmeg variety is characterized by a thin skin that is easy to peel off. It differs from the usual in the shape of the fruit: oblong, resembles zucchini or pears. The pumpkins are dirty yellow with green stripes. When cut, a nutmeg aroma emanates from the pulp.

Pumpkin varieties best for cooking

It is best to cook delicious dishes from sweet pumpkin varieties. They can be boiled and some can be used raw for salads. Popular sweet varieties are those whose pulp contains an increased amount of sugar. It is important to pay attention to the category to which the variety belongs, since those that ripen too early do not have time to accumulate the necessary elements to add sweetness to the fruit.

The best varieties for cooking are as follows:

Any of these varieties is perfect for preparing healthy dishes - desserts and savory food, which will become a real decoration of the table and will bring many benefits to the body.

Why is pumpkin useful?

The pulp improves digestion, saturates the body with vitamins and minerals, and normalizes the stool.

General benefit

Pumpkin fruits are good for your health:

• improve visual acuity;
• stabilize the peristalsis of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract;
• participate in intracellular metabolism - increase the rate of metabolic processes;
• contribute to the elimination of excess fluid, toxins;
• improve kidney function;
• increase the elasticity of the vascular walls, lower blood pressure;
• have a calming effect on the nervous system;
• increase the activity of immunocompetent cells, reduce the likelihood of catching colds;
• improve tissue regeneration, stimulate cell renewal.

For men

Zinc, organic acids and antioxidants in pumpkin prevent inflammation of the prostate gland in men after 40 years, slow down cell aging and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. With regular consumption of the product, the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies is reduced.

For kids

Vitamins and microelements in the composition of pumpkin pulp are useful for babies. The vegetable is allowed to be consumed in the form of mashed potatoes from 6 months. Thanks to the use of pumpkin, the formation of the nervous and immune systems is normalized, the quality of sleep improves, the mental and physical activity of the child increases.

For seniors

Despite the content of coarse vegetable fiber, pumpkin is easily digested and absorbed in the body. It does not create an additional burden on the digestive tract of the elderly, and prevents the development of constipation.

Minerals strengthen the bone tissue of the musculoskeletal system, prevent cartilage thinning. Antioxidants have a positive effect on the health of the heart and blood vessels.

For women

Pumpkin pulp and seeds have a beneficial effect on a woman's body:

• normalize psycho-emotional state, improve mood;
• stabilize weight;
• improve the condition of nails, strengthen curls, restore the elasticity of the epidermis, return it to a healthy color;
• increase tone;
• prevent weakness, anemia during heavy menstruation;
• restore hormonal balance.

When losing weight

Due to the fiber content during weight loss, pumpkin cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, food is digested faster, nutrients are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

An acceleration of the general metabolism is observed. With a balanced diet and physical activity, the process of self-regulation of weight starts.

For the purpose of fat burning, pumpkin juice, raw pulp are included in the diet. The latter can be added to vegetable salads.It is also recommended to consume seeds: they are rich in antioxidants that increase the tone of the body.

During pregnancy

Eating pumpkin during pregnancy helps:

• remove swelling of soft tissues;
• eliminate constipation in the third trimester;
• strengthen the musculoskeletal system;
• reduce the risk of developing intrauterine fetal anomalies;
• relieve symptoms of toxicosis (for this, the pumpkin should be fried in a dry frying pan).

When breastfeeding

Pumpkin is allowed to be consumed 10 days after childbirth. The product is hypoallergenic, easily digestible, so it will not harm the body of a newborn. Allows a nursing woman to quickly lose weight, stabilize hormones, and accelerate the process of tissue regeneration.

What diseases do you need to eat raw pumpkin

The benefits of raw pumpkin on an empty stomach will be for many ailments, it supports the body's strength and helps fight chronic diseases.

• The benefits of eating unprocessed raw pulp are diabetes. Unlike a cooked vegetable, raw pumpkin is very low on the glycemic index and does not spike sugar levels. The product helps diabetics maintain normal digestion, but, of course, it should be consumed in moderation.
• The raw product effectively detoxifies the liver. It is useful not only as a prophylaxis, but also in severe diseases of this organ - hepatitis and cirrhosis. The product promotes cell renewal and helps the liver to recover faster and return to normal functions.
• Raw pumpkin is one of the best weight loss foods. Due to its low calorie content and powerful cleansing properties, beneficial pulp contributes to effective and very rapid weight loss, moreover, it saturates well even on very strict diets.
• The vegetable brings benefits for colds and weakened immunity. For flu, colds and coughs, you can eat raw pumpkin with honey, the combination of these products will have a double effect. A useful product will quickly reduce the temperature, stop inflammation and activate the body's defense system to fight the disease.

Eating raw pumpkin is recommended for eye diseases, it contains a lot of beta-carotene, vitamins A and E. These substances are very useful for the health of the retina and contribute to its strengthening. A raw vegetable prevents the development of cataracts and myopia, helps to eliminate chronic eye fatigue, relieves dryness and burning in the eyes with constant work at the computer.

Another beneficial property of raw pumpkin is its strong diuretic effect. A raw vegetable will be of great benefit in case of a tendency to edema and remove excess fluids from the tissues. At the same time, potassium, which is present in large quantities in the composition, will contribute to the dissolution of sand and small calculi in the kidneys and bladder. The product in its raw, unprocessed form is recommended for consumption even with such a serious disease as renal failure.

Which pumpkin is healthier

Pumpkin retains its vitamin and mineral complex during heat treatment, therefore it is useful in any form.

Raw

In its raw form, the fruit has a low energy value. In the absence of nitrates and pesticides in the composition, it benefits people suffering from gastritis, high acidity of gastric juice, obesity, disruption of the endocrine system.

The raw pulp is added to vegetable salads or used as a garnish. It is forbidden to take the product in case of exacerbation of pancreatitis, hypoacid gastritis.

Dried

During the drying process, excess liquid evaporates, increasing the concentration of nutrients. Dried pumpkin has a positive effect on the digestion process, has choleretic and diuretic effects, improves memory. At the same time, its abuse causes diarrhea as a result of increased gastrointestinal motility.

Boiled

In the process of gentle heat treatment, 80% of vitamins are retained. In this form, pumpkin prevents the development of anemia, relieves irritation of the gastric mucosa. Boiled pulp is used for feeding infants, making masks, folk remedies.

Baked

The baked pulp benefits the cardiovascular system, cleanses the blood of toxins. Improves liver function, has a mild diuretic effect. It is forbidden to eat baked pumpkin with diabetes mellitus, because during the cooking process, its glycemic index, calorie content and sugar content increase.

The benefits of the peel

The peel contains a large amount of zinc and plant proteins that have antibacterial and antifungal effects. The product is used for the preparation of decoctions effective in the fight against thrush, vaginitis, candidiasis, cystitis.

Pumpkin peel infusions reduce the risk of parasitic infestation. The carotene contained in it removes carcinogens from the body.

Contraindications

Pumpkin is undeniably healthy. However, one should not forget about contraindications, although there are not so many of them. With diabetes, pumpkin should be excluded from the diet, since it has a high glycemic index.

Before use, you must pay attention to contraindications.

Of the other contraindications, it is worth noting:

• gastritis;
• decreased acidity of the stomach;
• duodenal ulcer;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in their acute form.

Raw seeds have a bad effect on tooth enamel, so after eating them, be sure to rinse your mouth with water several times. Also, do not abuse seeds during pregnancy, as they contain substances that can provoke premature birth.

Knowing how to eat raw pumpkin can improve your health and well-being. Do not deny yourself the pleasure, include this bright, fragrant fruit in your diet!

Pumpkin in medicine

The healing properties of pumpkin, due to the high content of vitamins, amino acids and mineral compounds, are actively used in folk medicine.

With gastritis

Pumpkin is approved for use only with a hyperacid form of gastritis. If a person has low acidity of gastric juice, the fetus causes intestinal obstruction, is not digested in the stomach. In other cases, the product is included in diet therapy. It relieves irritation of mucous membranes, accelerates regeneration, relieves exacerbation symptoms.

With pancreatitis

Raw pumpkin should not be consumed in case of exacerbation of the disease. In the acute period, it is allowed to take the pulp cooked.

They introduce it into the diet gradually:

• for the first time they eat up to 100 g of vegetable puree;
• with good tolerance, daily increase the serving size by 50 g;
• the maximum amount per day is 300 g.

During the period of remission, cream, spices, sugar and vegetable oil can be added to the puree.

With diabetes mellitus

With diabetes, raw pulp is allowed for use. Its glycemic index is 25 units. When baking and cooking, the GI rises to 70-85 units, therefore the prepared product is not recommended for use in insulin-dependent and insulin-independent forms of pathology. The daily norm is 200 g.

With colitis

It is allowed to bake pumpkin, fry it in a dry frying pan. A small amount of dried and raw seeds is allowed.

For the liver

Beta-carotene and carotenoids contained in the pulp and skin of pumpkin are useful for hepatocytes. They remove toxins from the blood, reduce the load on the liver, and have a detoxifying effect.

With hemorrhoids

To relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids, pumpkin juice is recommended. For the treatment of the disease, you should use the liquid of a mature fruit, always strained. Take 50-70 ml on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. The therapy lasts 4 weeks.

With cholecystitis

When the gallbladder is inflamed, you need to eat the seeds. The daily norm is 70-100 g.During the period of remission, it is allowed to include boiled, baked and steamed pulp in the diet.

For constipation

This fruit has a mild laxative effect, facilitates the excretion of feces, and enhances intestinal motility. For constipation, you can use boiled pumpkin.

With gout

Pumpkin lowers serum uric acid levels, prevents thinning of cartilage tissue and the deposition of mineral salts in the joint capsule. With gout, it is allowed in any form.

Useful properties for weight loss

Women who want to keep themselves in shape should definitely pay attention to this fruit. Its use can quickly remove excess weight, remove harmful cholesterol and toxic substances. Pumpkin contains a rather rare vitamin T, which is able to speed up the metabolism, as a result of which the body quickly digests heavy food, restraining the process of fat formation. There are very few calories in pumpkin, and a lot of nutrients, so it eliminates hunger for a long time.

Good results are obtained by drinking pumpkin juice. For three weeks, you need to drink 200 ml of freshly squeezed drink every day. As a result, extra pounds, swelling and toxins will be removed.

Of course, a diet on only raw pumpkin will be stressful for the body. It is best to combine raw, baked and boiled pumpkin dishes. You can cook pumpkin soups, porridge, make salads, pancakes, chops. As a snack between main meals, it is permissible to use slices of raw fruit.

Pumpkin-based traditional medicine recipes

The fruits have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory effect, help with various acute and chronic diseases.

With arthritis

To relieve inflammation, combine 500 ml of pumpkin oil with 2 tbsp. l. wormwood. Boil in a water bath for 1.5 hours. Insist 2 days. After 48 hours, filter. Rub into sore spots 2 times a day for 14 days.

For insomnia

In a glass container, mix 300 g of pumpkin pulp, 2 tbsp. l. honey, pour 2 liters of water. Insist for an hour. The mixture is taken in 100 ml 2 hours before bedtime. The course of therapy lasts 14 days.

For the liver and gastrointestinal tract

200 ml of pumpkin seed oil is mixed with 2 tbsp. l. yarrow, 1.5 tbsp. l. St. John's wort. Leave in a dark place for a week. Take 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals 2 weeks.

For problems with the oral cavity

A mixture of pumpkin and fir oils helps with bad breath and infectious diseases of the mucous membranes. Both ingredients take 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals, wipe the oral cavity with a cotton swab.

For problems with the nervous system

Juice is squeezed out of 1 kg of pumpkin. With pathologies of the nervous system, take 100 ml 2 times a day 15 minutes before meals. The therapy lasts 2 months, the break between courses is 14 days.

The benefits of pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin (benefits for the body of women and men are not limited to fruits) has useful seeds that should be taken in moderation.

Including them in the diet serves:

• prevention of diabetes mellitus;
• maintaining the elasticity and youth of the skin;
• strengthening the immune system.

Pumpkin seeds allow you to remove heavy metals from the body, reduce the development of oncology and osteoporosis.

However, excessive enthusiasm for the product can lead to:

• dental problems;
• an increase in body weight;
• exacerbation of gastric diseases;
• allergies.

Pumpkin in cosmetology

Antioxidants restore the natural elasticity of the skin, giving the hair a healthy shine.

For face

With increased puffiness, the following recipe is suitable:

• grate raw pumpkin;
• pour 1-2 tbsp. l. olive oil.

Apply to edema, fix with a bandage. Wash off after 20 minutes.

For oily skin, it is recommended to boil and grind the pumpkin. 3 tbsp. l. combine masses with 1 tsp. honey and egg yolk. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.

For hair

To strengthen the curls, it is necessary to prepare a composition from:

• 200 ml pumpkin juice;
• 1 tbsp. l. jojoba oils;
• 1 tsp lemon extract;
• 1 tsp olive oils;
• 1 tbsp. l. coconut oil.

The ingredients are mixed until smooth. Apply to hair roots, distribute over the entire length of the curls. After 20 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo.

Useful tips for use

By following the recommendations for the use of pumpkin, you can preserve youth for a long time and enrich the body with the missing elements:

• for women over 50 and pregnant in the evening, it is better to use a baked product to eliminate puffiness;
• to improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract, activate hematopoietic functions and strengthen blood vessels, drink a glass of freshly squeezed juice 20 minutes before breakfast;
• morning rubbing with a slice of peeled pumpkin will help to improve the condition of the skin;
• to eliminate peeling of the skin on the hands due to vitamin deficiency or a change in weather, baths with the addition of pumpkin broth will help.

Pumpkin is not just a food product, but a storehouse of vitamins. Drinking it regularly in moderation can help you regain strength and improve your health.

How to choose and store a pumpkin

The fruits should be round in shape. It is not recommended to buy pumpkins that are too large, as in most cases they turn out to be dry. The optimum weight is up to 5 kg. The flesh should be orange. The rind is firm, but not woody.

Store the pumpkin in a cool place with moderate humidity, limited from exposure to sunlight. The cut fruit is best placed in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, you should purchase vegetables with a stalk.

Can I freeze

To increase the shelf life, the product can be frozen.