What Are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin? Here's What You Need to Know

First, a reminder: Pumpkin could be a variety of manufacture, not simply associate ingredient in scented candles. And even better than that: It’s an ultra nutritious one, too! One cup of pumpkin contains a lot of axerophthol than a cup of kale, more potassium than a banana, and more fiber than 1⁄2 cup of quinoa. Here’s the nutrient lowdown on this fall favorite:

Pumpkin Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cup, cubed

30 calories

0.1 g fat

0 mg cholesterol

1 mg sodium

8 g carbohydrates

0.6 g fiber

3.2 g sugar

1.2 g protein

197% DV vitamin A

17% DV vitamin C

11% DV potassium

5% DV vitamin B-6

4% DV iron

3% DV magnesium

2% DV calcium

What are the health benefits of pumpkin?

Even though you can find it in canned form at any time of year, this trendy fall food is often forgotten for what it really is: a super high-quality and versatile vegetable.

The fiber keeps you energized. One cup of canned pumpkin has regarding seven grams of fiber (about two hundredth of the counseled daily amount), whereas kale has a little less than 3 grams. While each have an area on your plates, the fiber content of pumpkin will fill you up, help stabilize blood sugar, and keep your energy up throughout the day.

The minerals help your heart. Pumpkin is loaded with blood pressure-regulating minerals like metallic element, magnesium, and iron. They're necessary for providing oxygen to red blood cells. 

The antioxidants boost immunity.Pumpkin is packed with beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A — an important antioxidant for visual acuity and skin integrity — as well as vitamins C and E, also important antioxidants for repairing your body’s cells from damage. Diets rich in antioxidants and potassium are also linked to helping reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Is pumpkin fattening?

No, since cubed pumpkin contains solely zero.1 grams of fat per one-cup serving. Pureed pumpkin has slightly more at about 0.7 grams per cup, but the squash predominately provides good-for-you carbohydrates — not to mention all of those other beneficial vitamins and minerals.