Missing Out on These SURPRISING Pumpkin Benefits?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 20, 2022
It’s pumpkin season.
This humble squash is virtually ignored from December through to the following September. But when fall rolls around it takes center stage again.
For most of us, pumpkins show up as festive décor and baked into delicious pies in October and November.
But there are plenty of reasons you ought to start eating MORE fresh pumpkin all season long.
During October many of us keep a hollowed-out pumpkin perched on our front stoop with a scowl carved into its face. Then in November the squash makes its way inside where it graces our holiday tables.
The more adventurous among us might bake cubes of delicious pumpkin with other cool-weather veggies for a hearty side dish. And in my house, it’ll end up as the star ingredient in my wife’s killer pumpkin curry.
But it turns out we ought to be looking for even MORE ways to include pumpkin in our diet. The low-calorie squash is brimming with a surprising amount of vital nutrients your body needs.
- If you’re like most of us, you don’t get enough fiber. Pumpkins are PACKED with the stuff (7.1 grams per cup!). Even better, the squash is rich in pectin a soluble fiber which feeds the good bugs in your gut to support a healthy microbiome.
- Pumpkins also have one of the highest levels of vitamin A. In fact, they’re second only to beef liver – the best source of the vitamin on the planet. And all that A supports a healthy immune system and better vision.
- Pumpkin is loaded with free-radical-fighting antioxidants including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Antioxidants are healthy-aging superstars. They help protect us from premature aging and a variety of chronic conditions from cancer to heart disease.
In fact, when you eat pumpkin you support healthy aging from head to toe.
Eye health: Pumpkin is brimming with eye-supporting nutrients starting with two powerful antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin. This potent pair joins vitamins A, B6, and K to protect your eyes from UV and other harmful high-energy light waves from the sun. Lutein is especially effective at filtering out harmful blue light like the kind that comes from your computer or smartphone screen.
Heart Health: Potassium deficiency is very common and cases are on the rise. And pumpkin is packed with it! Potassium is critical for heart health and is linked to a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Plus, potassium helps protect muscles and bones and reduces your risk of kidney stones. The fiber and vitamin C in pumpkin also help keep your heart healthy.
Skin Health: The beta-carotene in pumpkin is great for your skin. This natural antioxidant is converted to vitamin A which helps protect against UV sun damage.
P.S. Putting out your Thanksgiving spread early is a common tradition. But it turns out eating dinner early EVERY night has big health benefits. Click here for all the details.
Sources:
“Trend of Hypokalemia Prevalence in the US Population and Possible Food Causes.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2021 Mar-Apr;40(3):273-279. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2020.1765893. Epub 2020 May 13. PMID: 32401639., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32401639/
“β-Carotene and other carotenoids in protection from sunlight,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 96, Issue 5, November 2012, Pages 1179S–1184S, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.034819
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...