Raw pumpkin. The benefits and harms of raw pumpkin

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Pumpkin is an extremely tasty and he althy product. But for some reason, it is customary to mainly thermally process this vegetable, while raw pumpkin is rarely used. The benefits and harms of this product are determined by its composition, which is rich in vitamins, various trace elements and fiber. The low calorie content of pumpkin allows it to be used in dietary and children's menus.

What is a product like pumpkin?

This product belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Both boiled and raw pumpkin are well absorbed by the human body. The benefits and harms of the latter are assessed by experts in different ways. Some categorically do not advise eating this vegetable raw, others believe that the cooking process destroys useful vitamins and trace elements of pumpkin.

This vegetable is native to North America. It is known that the Indians roasted pumpkin slices on fire or baked it in ashes.

Now there are many recipes for this vegetable. But many are concernedabout eating raw pumpkin. Which vegetable is he althier: boiled or raw?

He althy composition of raw pumpkin

This vegetable is rich in nutrients:

• beta-carotene;
• vitamins: K, tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacimin;
• micronutrients: potassium, phosphorus, cob alt, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron.

In addition, pumpkin contains fiber. Its calorie content is per 100 gr. only 22 kcal. Therefore, it is a welcome dish on the diet table.

Raw pumpkin: benefits and harms

This vegetable has the following he alth benefits:

• is a light diet product;
• slows down the aging process in the body;
• strengthens blood vessels and prevents edema in people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the entire digestive system;
• has a choleretic effect;
• prevents pathological degeneration of cells;
• excellently removes toxins from the body;
• actively fights cholesterol;
• lowers blood sugar;
• contributes to maintaining male power in a reliable form;
• calms the nerves;
• promotes sleep.

In addition, experts note that the pumpkin charges the body with positive energy due to its sunny color.

Using raw pumpkin

In many industries alternative medicine uses raw pumpkin. The benefits and harms of this vegetable are determined based on its composition. Therefore, pumpkin is used in dietetics and cosmetology.

Dietology. Diseases of the digestive system, high levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, obesity and other situations force people to resort to a variety of diets. Pumpkin, due to its high fiber content, is an indispensable ingredient in the diet menu. It is known that fiber activates the work of the stomach. It also prevents the absorption of excess harmful fat-containing substances.

For people with stomach ulcers and gastroduodenitis, doctors strongly recommend eating pumpkin dishes, as it contains substances that contribute to scarring of wounds.

In addition, this raw vegetable has the ability to cleanse the liver of harmful toxins and remove stones from the body.

Cosmetology. Raw pumpkin is actively used in beauty salons. It is used as a revitalizing and rejuvenating facial mask, which also smooths out fine lines.

Raw pumpkin and extra weight

The second use of pumpkin in cosmetology is its use as an excellent dietary product, the use of which promotes weight loss. Nutritionists believe that people who are on a pumpkin diet are able to lose about 4 kg of excess weight per week. And these are only the most optimal numbers.

How pumpkin is useful for losing weight:

• it contains many usefuland nutrients, while being low in calories (only about 22 kcal per 100 gr.);
• this vegetable actively removes excess water from the body;
• promotes weight loss;
• pumpkin takes part in the process of cleansing the body, getting rid of cholesterol and harmful substances.

The pumpkin diet lasts only 12 days and consists of 4 phases, that is, every four days the diet of a losing weight person changes. During the period of such intensive therapy, the patient is able to lose up to 10 kg.

Perfect for the diet, pumpkin with pale yellow flesh.

Sample menu

1st day:

1. Pumpkin porridge with rice, oatmeal or millet, raw pumpkin salad, tea (preferably without sugar) is for breakfast.

2. Soup from this vegetable is for lunch.

3. Pumpkin stew is for dinner.

2nd day:

1. Raw pumpkin salad and porridge.
2. Chops from this vegetable or soup.
3. Oven-baked pumpkin with apples.

3rd day:

1. Pumpkin porridge and raw vegetable salad.
2. Pumpkin soup with meatballs.
3. Raw vegetable salad with pineapple and croutons.

4th day:

1. Pumpkin porridge, fresh salad.
2. Borscht with pumpkin.
3. Vegetable stew with pumpkin.

During snacks, you can eat raw pumpkin, carrots or apples.

Raw pumpkin: indications

Experts recommend eating this vegetable in this form for the followingdiseases:

• problems with the gastrointestinal tract and the digestive system as a whole;
• liver disorders;
• diseases of the heart and its system;
• stone disease;
• obesity;
• seasickness;
• tuberculosis;
• throat cancer;
• insomnia;
• diseases of the skin (acne, eczema);
• diseases of the genitourinary system.

In addition, experts note that raw pumpkin strengthens the immune system and improves mood. Do old people eat raw pumpkin? Of course! After all, it improves the regeneration (recovery) of tissues and strengthens bones.

Can I give raw pumpkin to children?

Pediatricians say that a child's diet should include raw vegetables. After all, they help improve digestion and prevent the formation of constipation. But is raw pumpkin allowed for children? After all, basically all mothers are accustomed to thermally process it before giving it to their child.

Raw pumpkin is allowed for a child if it is grown in ecological conditions. The vegetable that is sold in the store is stuffed with various pesticides. A child who eats such a pumpkin increases the risk of allergic reactions. In addition, indigestion may occur.

For a child's body, homemade raw pumpkin is especially valuable. Its benefits and harms are obvious, one has only to look at its composition. Fresh juice from this vegetable acts as a laxative and as a sedative for sleep disorders. Raw pumpkin pulp improves bowel function. This contributes preciselyfiber, which is contained in this vegetable.

Raw Pumpkin: Salad Recipes

Dishes from this vegetable are not only very he althy, but also extremely tasty. You just need to cook them right. Recently, dishes where raw pumpkin is used have been popular in cooking. Salad recipes are varied. Let's look at a few of them.

1. Pumpkin and carrot salad topped with walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 100 gr. pumpkin, carrot and green apple;
• a handful of chopped walnuts;
• a handful of raisins.

For dressing: olive oil, honey.

Vegetables should be washed, peeled, cut into small strips. Then add raisins, olive oil and honey. Mix everything thoroughly.

Decorate with walnuts.

2. Pumpkin salad with seeds.

Ingredients:

• pumpkin and carrots in equal amounts;
• handful of pumpkin seeds;
• olive oil for dressing;
• s alt to taste.

Cut vegetables into large cubes. Peel pumpkin seeds from pulp and peel, wash and dry. Then put them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven (100 degrees Celsius) for half an hour.

Pour salad with olive oil, garnish with seeds.

3. Vegetable mix of sauerkraut and raw pumpkin.

Ingredients:

- 250 gr. sauerkraut;

- 150 gr. raw pumpkin;

- couple of sour apples;

- a few tablespoons of mayonnaise;

- teaa spoonful of sesame oil;

- a pinch of sugar and s alt;

- greens.

The salad is prepared as follows: cut the pumpkin into strips, mix it with sauerkraut, season with mayonnaise and spices.

Raw pumpkin dishes are extremely tasty and he althy. Eat and be he althy!

Contraindications for eating raw pumpkin

Although this vegetable is rich in vitamins and other substances, there is still a certain group of people who are contraindicated in raw pumpkin. It can harm patients who suffer from the following diseases:

• gastric ulcer;
• gastroduodenitis;
• low stomach acid combined with gastritis;
• diabetes.

People with symptoms of these diseases should refrain from using the above product.

Raw pumpkin has more benefits than heat-treated. After all, it is known that many vitamins are destroyed during cooking. For excellent he alth, it is advisable to include the above product in your diet at least once a week.