Many of us are attempting to maintain our health and reduce a few pounds as the cold and flu season has arrived and winter vacations to warmer locales are rapidly approaching (so we can actually fit into those bikinis that have been sitting in the closet since summer). Whatever your motivation, now is always a good time to pay attention to your health, which calls for making major dietary changes. Fortunately, there are many foods that are both tasty and healthy, including pumpkin, a classic of the fall that has been found to strengthen immunity and promote weight loss.
We consulted Paulina Lee, MS, RD, LD, founder of Savvy Stummy, Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, Eva De Angelis, RDN, health and nutrition writer, and others to discover everything there is to know about the advantages of this festive fruit. Discover all of their wisdom below!
Pumpkin
Who doesn’t think of “autumn foods” when they think of “pumpkin”? Fortunately, this fruit can improve your general health in addition to being a delightful, seasonal pleasure.
pumpkin to boost defence
What, therefore, about pumpkin—aside from the fact that it tastes indescribably good—makes it such a terrific complement to your diet? It turns out that this fruit’s high concentration of vitamins C, E, and E is what gives it its immunity-enhancing properties, according to specialists. According to De Angelis, “all of these vitamins can boost our immune system, prevent cell damage from free radicals, combat infections, improve the generation of white blood cells, and hasten the healing of wounds.” According to Richards, this combination also helps to strengthen the immune system and provide protection from chronic illnesses.
Additionally, Richards informs us that the spices in this blend, such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, “contain the same beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants found in the pumpkin itself.” As a result, you can almost justify having an additional slice of pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, provided you don’t take into account all the sugar.
pumpkin for shedding pounds
More than only immunity, pumpkin’s vitamins are beneficial. Actually, according to Lee, increasing your vitamin A intake by eating more pumpkin could aid in your efforts to lose weight. She cites a study that claims “vitamin A intake had a negative correlation with several adiposity measures, meaning the low vitamin A intake was often seen in those with more weight.” Furthermore, this fruit’s strong antioxidant content “may help reduce inflammation connected to obesity.”
Another factor making pumpkin a fantastic food for weight loss is how much fibre it can contain. According to De Angelis, fibre “keeps you fuller for longer and can reduce your appetite and the amount of calories your body absorbs from the food you eat.” All things considered, this fruit is filling and will keep you satisfied longer without packing on the calories, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lose weight.
