Fall has now been here for a month and now it’s pumpkin time. The typical vegetable of this colorful season is also the symbol of the Halloween party, in addition to being a really tasty food and above all ideal for the preparation of many recipes since it has different nutritional and even therapeutic properties, still too little known. today. and underestimate. In fact, the pumpkin contains principles and substances considered fundamental for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, since it can contribute to the maintenance of low values of arterial hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes, all risk factors for our heart.
Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, a type of herbaceous plant native to Central America. It is distinguished from other vegetables by its orange-yellow color and its shape, which can be round or oval. The structure of the pumpkin is rather composed of the pulp, the seeds and the skin. The pulp contains carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin: it is a group of antioxidant substances that perform beneficial functions for our body, including controlling high blood pressure.
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The seeds are rich in fiber, magnesium, iron and essential fats such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, which help protect the arteries from the formation of fats which could deposit on the walls, generating atherosclerosis, the disease often responsible for strokes and heart attacks. . Even the skin should not be discarded in cooking and preparations because it contains nutrients with antibiotic properties, really essential to fight infections or inflammation of blood and tissues.
This vegetable is also a low-calorie food that may be particularly valuable for the prevention and treatment of diabetes; several studies conducted in the United States of America have in fact shown that pumpkin keeps blood sugar levels in perfect balance, affecting the metabolism of sugars, so much so that some researchers even hypothesize its official use in the actual treatment of diabetes.
Eating pumpkin, even two to three times a week, can be of great help in better protecting the health of the heart and arteries from the development of various conditions that can have very serious consequences. However, let’s not forget the importance of relying on a cardiologist who can assess the general state of health and give the right advice on prevention that does not only affect nutrition, but also habits and mode of life.