Pump Up Your Health with Pumpkin
Posted By Worker Bee On November 15, 2007 @ 3:54 pm In Aging,Carbs,Diet,Health,Nutrition,Smart Fuel | 5 Comments
This week’s Smart Fuel [3]: Pumpkin
Pumpkin [4] is one of nature’s richest sources of the antioxidant beta carotene. Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body and plays an important role in many vital functions. This plant carotenoid is what gives pumpkins their lush orange coloring. Compelling current research suggests that beta carotene is a powerful tool against cancer and heart disease. Today we’re featuring pumpkin as our smart fuel of choice because of its combined antioxidant value and low sugar content. At only 49 calories and 9 net carbs per generous cup, this vitamin-rich squash is high in fiber, as well. Pumpkin contains many trace minerals, including over 560 milligrams of potassium. A banana [5] contains roughly 450 milligrams. (In other words, you can go bananas for pumpkin.)
Look out for a healthy and savory pumpkin recipe from Aaron this afternoon!
Further Reading:
Foods That Can Reduce the Pain of Arthritis [6]
Low-Carb Carbs! They Exist! [7]
16 Powerful Foods That Belong in Your Diet [8]
Photo Credit:
Tambako [9]
Subscribe to Mark’s Daily Apple feeds [10]
Article printed from Mark's Daily Apple: http://www.marksdailyapple.com
URL to article: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/pumpkin-health-benefits/
URLs in this post:
[1] free weekly newsletter: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/feeds/?utm_source=wwsgd&utm_medium=intro_note&utm_campaign=newsletter
[2] Primal Blueprint 101: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/
[3] Smart Fuel: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/category/smart-fuel/
[4] Pumpkin: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/pumpkins/nutrition.html
[5] banana: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/columnnn/nn981104.html
[6] Foods That Can Reduce the Pain of Arthritis: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/reduce-inflammation/
[7] Low-Carb Carbs! They Exist!: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/awesome-carbs/
[8] 16 Powerful Foods That Belong in Your Diet: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/power-foods/
[9] Tambako: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/500089629/?addedcomment=1#comment72157603193385246
[10] Mark’s Daily Apple feeds: http://www.marksdailyapple.com../../feeds/
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