Five Things I Bet You Did Not Know About Pumpkins

and Delicacies Associated with Them.

Pumpkins, big and small.

From delicate table-top varieties to those giants of Guinness World Records, pumpkins are fascinating. Many of them are almost too tough to be handled by humans, but... they pack a nutritional punch worth getting our hands on.  

Here are five facts you may not know about the King of Squashes:  

1. It is a fruit. Yes, it grows from a flower, as does an apple or an orange. So, it is technically a fruit.  

2. All parts of it are edible.  Leaves, stems, flowers, skin, seeds—yes, you can eat them all! 

3. It is 90% water.  That makes it lower in calories than an equal weight of carrots, but it boasts almost equal nutrition.  

4. It has 45 different varieties.  Some of the interesting ones you might like to remember are Hooligan, Cotton Candy, and Orange Smoothie. 

5. It can be found on every continent except Antarctica.  Well, I think we all agree that no plants grow in Antarctica. 

Too tough to be handled, but consider the nutritional content:    Pumpkin skin is loaded with carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants, including Vitamin C. These nutrients contribute to cellular protection and overall health. They help reduce oxidative stress and support immune system function and skin integrity.  

Pumpkins are particularly rich in β-carotene, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, and mono- and di-esterified xanthophylls. All of these compounds are excellent for eye and brain health.  

They are also rich in fiber (good for digestion) and potassium for heart health and energy. 

Now, there’s enough of a nutritional punch worth getting your hands on! 

Want to try an unorthodox Pumpkin Pie—actually, a really original one?  

Follow these steps:  

1. Cut off the top of a pumpkin, as you would for carving one. 

2. Scoop out the seeds, along with the pulp, and the funiculi (the stringy parts). 

3. Fill the pumpkin with milk (or goat milk or A2 milk—more easily digested, or coconut milk), spices to your liking, and honey or a natural sweetener of your choice (No artificial ones, please!). 

4. Bake it in hot ashes (as the Colonists did) or in your oven. And, enjoy it the way the original settlers did!  Bon appétit!  

   
   

Now let’s indulge in Pumpkin Pie spices...  Pumpkin pie usually incorporates these spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Allspice is also sometimes used. Together, they create an ambience of coziness and warmth—very comforting during the time of year when temperatures dip in the higher altitudes. While you’re diving into the wedge of a pumpkin pie or the spirally slice of a roll, knowing what these spices do for you can be even more comforting:  

1. Cinnamon Bark, sweet warmth that’s not too spicy:

   1. Regulates blood sugar: Best known for its ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels by stimulating glucose metabolism, cinnamon does so by mimicking the effects of insulin.

   2. Quells inflammation. Most diseases these days stem from inflammation, and anything that lowers it is your friend.

   3. Fights infections: It is effective against many pathogens and has the potential to kill them.

   4. Reduces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes damage to our delicate cells and the intricate machinery within them.

   5. Maintains healthy heart function and also lowers cholesterol. 
      

2. Nutmeg, the warm, nutty aroma that enhances snuggle time:  

   1. Protects against free radical damage: Nutmeg contains powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from damage. This has the potential, alongside other lifestyle measures, to prevent chronic diseases.  

   2. Is heart-protective: It may benefit those with cardiovascular conditions by reducing oxidative stress and fatty acid oxidation.

   3. Has anti-inflammatory properties.

   4. Has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Some studies even suggest these properties make it a key cancer preventive.

   5. Acts as a digestive aid and reduces allergic responses.
      

3. Clove, a rich, earthy scent that complements other warm spices,

   Cloves contain a key compound called eugenol, which gives them the following properties:

   1. antioxidant

   2. anti-inflammatory

   3. antibacterial

   4. Promotes oral health—fights against plaque and gingivitis.

   5. Lower blood sugar levels 

   The regular consumption of cloves may improve bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis due to their manganese content.  
   

4. Ginger: An invigorating spicy scent that’s oh, so warming.   

   Best known for its anti-nausea effects, studies verified its potency for the  improvement of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, digestive function, and the reduction of colorectal cancer risk.    

   
   

5. Allspice: Another warming and aromatic beauty 

   Allspice has novel aromatic compounds that can fight bacteria, lower blood pressure, help with nerve conditions, and provide pain relief. Two compounds in it, eugenol and gallic acid, have selective antiproliferative and anti-tumor properties on human cancer cells and their animal models. Other compounds have demonstrated potent anti-prostate cancer and anti-breast cancer properties. It might just be one for our medicine cabinets.  

Thanks for coming along on this Pumpkin Roll. Now that you've burned some calories, taking in all this information, I encourage you to reward yourself with a pumpkin delicacy. The spices are going to do you good! And, if you bit off more than you could chew, literally and figuratively, check out this site for some cool, deeply discounted items to enhance your health and work off those calories.

To get more practical health tips from me on a bi-weekly basis, and to get a free gift on sign-up, visit this page: Free Gift.  

References:  

1. Carotenoid-rich extracts from pumpkin

2. Cinnamon and health

3. Therapeutic potential of nutmeg

4. Health benefits of cloves

5. Benefits of ginger

6. Medicinal properties of allspice
   

   DISCLAIMER: The content I share is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. If you purchase products linked from these blog posts, I may receive a percentage of the proceeds. These affiliations help to support my work. 

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