Get Pumped on Pumpkin! 5 Healthy Benefits from the versatile fruit (or is it vegetable?)

Pumpkin season is fast approaching, and there’s no better time than now to celebrate! Whether it be pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soups and the ever present pumpkin spice latte (not sure of the health benefits on that one), the signature squash harvested in the fall is jammed with health benefits.

It can help with your sight, heart and keep your mid-section in check. But, maybe pass on the 2^nd serving of pie, and hold the whip cream.

1. Fibre and weight loss.
Diets rich in fibre can help you eat less, and therefore lose some extra pounds. Pumpkin is a great fibre source, and keep you feeling full longer. It has 3 grams and only 49 calories per serving.

2. Can seeds make you “happier”?
The amino acid tryptophan is the same ingredient in turkey meat that is thought to make people sleepy after a large Thanksgiving meal. Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan as well. It’s known that amino acids are important in producing serotonin, which can impact your mood. So, tossing a mouthful of pumpkin seeds may help you keep a positive outlook.

3. Post workout boost?
Bananas can give a boost of energy after a workout, due to the high level of potassium that they carry. Guess what, 1 cup of cooked pumpkin has even more! Extra potassium can restore electrolytes after your exercise routine and keep your muscles functioning at their peak.

4. Good for your heart?
Many seeds and nuts are naturally sources of phytosterols, pumpkin seeds included! Studies exist that phytosterols help reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

5. Immune Strengthening
Pumpkins are a great source of the essential nutrient Vitamin C, containing 11 mg (or roughly 20% daily value) per 1 cup of cooked pumpkin. Perhaps the debate on whether or not Vitamin C helps in reducing the risk of colds is still ongoing, having some extra Vitamin C in your system certainly can’t hurt, right? Remember to keep these (and other) health benefits in mind when enjoying your pumpkin spiced muffin, or latte, or cereal, or oatmeal, or yogurt, or granola… and the list goes on.