You may know about pumpkins for their association with Halloween, but this healthy fruit also has many uses. From a culinary point of view, pumpkins actually have little to do with Halloween; they're fall vegetables that are best eaten while they're fresh. Costumes aside, this is what you need to know about pumpkins. You can eat it. You can drink it. You can wear it. You can decorate with it.
You can decorate with it.
Pumpkins are a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. The orange color comes from this compound and is one reason why pumpkins are often associated with Halloween. The fiber content of pumpkin seeds also makes them a healthy snack choice for anyone looking for more dietary fiber in their diet.
Pumpkin leaves have been used medicinally by Native Americans for centuries as an antiseptic wound dressing, as well as an astringent mouthwash or poultice applied directly onto cuts or wounds on the skin (1).
Pumpkin is great in many ways besides just Halloween!
Pumpkins are also a great source of beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A and E, while the flesh is high in vitamin C and potassium.
The red color of pumpkins comes from betalain pigments called carotenoids (specifically alpha- and beta-carotene). These pigments make pumpkin an excellent source of antioxidants that help protect against free radicals--naturally occurring molecules that can damage cells and speed up aging by causing them to age faster than normal
It's true that most people think of pumpkins only as Halloween decorations, but there are other ways pumpkins can be used.
Pumpkins are a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body. They're also high in fiber and potassium as well as several B vitamins, including niacin and riboflavin. Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A and E along with iron, zinc, and magnesium; while the flesh is rich in vitamin C (more than an orange!) as well as potassium (good for blood pressure).
Pumpkins can be turned into natural beauty products.
You may already know that pumpkin seeds are a natural exfoliant. At first glance, this might seem like an odd use for pumpkins--but it's actually not so far off from the way we've been using them for centuries!
Pumpkin can also be used as an all-natural face mask or body scrub. For example, you can rub the inside of a raw pumpkin over your skin to remove dead cells and leave behind smooth, glowing skin. Other recipes include mixing together honey, yogurt, and cucumber juice to create a face mask; applying mashed avocado mixed with lemon juice on top of your hair; whipping up a batch of homemade toothpaste by combining baking soda with coconut oil or olive oil (or both); blending together ground oats and milk powder into an exfoliant scrub... The list goes on!
If you're looking for some new ways to incorporate pumpkins into your beauty routine this Halloween season--or any time after that--here are some helpful resources:
Pumpkins are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body.
Pumpkins are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and mucous membranes. It also helps protect against infections and boosts your immune system, making it easier for you to fight off colds or flu when they come around.
In addition to its antioxidant properties (which protect against damage from free radicals), beta-carotene has been shown to improve night vision by increasing the number of light-sensitive cells at the back of our eyes called rods that detect low light levels such as those found at dusk or dawn when most mammals are active feeding time!
Pumpkins are a good source of fiber and potassium as well as several B vitamins, including niacin and riboflavin.
Pumpkins are a good source of fiber and potassium as well as several B vitamins, including niacin and riboflavin. The fiber in pumpkin seeds helps to reduce cholesterol levels, while potassium promotes heart health by helping to maintain the balance of fluids within your body.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals--molecules that come from pollution and other environmental factors such as cigarette smoke or UV rays from the sun. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which may lead to premature aging or even cancer if left unchecked over time. Vitamin E also promotes healthy vision by protecting against macular degeneration.
Pumpkins contain vitamin C which helps to maintain the health of your skin, bones, and blood vessels; this nutrient has been shown to provide protection against osteoporosis (a condition where bones break easily) when consumed regularly throughout life
Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A and E, while the flesh is high in vitamin C and potassium.
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and zinc. They're also high in vitamin E and zinc.
Pumpkin seeds can help lower cholesterol levels in your blood because they contain phytosterols which have been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by up to 15%.
Pumpkin seeds can help lower blood pressure because they contain compounds called flavonoids that act as anti-inflammatory agents. These flavonoids are found throughout the plant kingdom but are especially concentrated in certain types of fruit (e.g., blueberries), vegetables (e.g., onions), and herbs/spices like cinnamon or oregano).
You don't have to limit yourself to just eating pumpkin pie or making jack-o'-lanterns -- there are many recipes for pumpkins that are savory instead of sweet!
You don't have to limit yourself to just eating pumpkin pie or making jack-o'-lanterns -- there are many recipes for pumpkins that are savory instead of sweet!
Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable, and it can be used in many ways. It can be baked, boiled, or steam cooked; eaten raw with dip; or even eaten out of hand like an apple (although not recommended).
Pumpkin is high in fiber content, so it's great for those who want to keep their digestive system healthy by adding more fiber to their diet. Fiber helps prevent constipation as well as other digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It also helps lower cholesterol levels which reduces risk factors associated with heart disease such as stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, the vitamin C content found within pumpkins supports immune system function by strengthening white blood cells which fight off infections before they occur.*
You can use this nutritious fruit throughout the year in many different ways
Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable and can be used in many different ways. This nutritious fruit contains beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Pumpkins are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients such as antioxidants that help prevent cancer and other diseases.
Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A and E, while the flesh is high in vitamin C and potassium. They also have lots of fiber which makes them good for digestion as well as lowering cholesterol levels if eaten regularly over time (it takes about three months).
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, there are many ways to use pumpkins that don't involve Halloween. If you're looking for a new way to get more of this nutritious fruit into your diet, try adding it as an ingredient in one of your favorite dishes!
