Pumpkin Everything

     Everywhere you look you will see pumpkins! Fall seems to be transforming into “pumpkin season” but who actually eats pumpkin, rather than just carving them or setting them out as décor. I am not talking about the fake pumpkin flavored things either; I mean the actual orange fruit. With how readily available they are we should be eating more of them because they are so good for you.  

     Let’s start with how it can lower your cholesterol. Pumpkin can help raise you HDL, or good cholesterol, numbers, a  2011 study done by the National Institute of Health showed. Also of those who ate pumpkin, they had less headaches, joint pain and hot flashes (in women).

     Also having pumpkin (and pumpkin seed oil) can help with hair loss. Men especially were studied and those who had pumpkin were said to have 40% more hair after a 24 week trial.

     Eating pumpkin (and sunflower) seeds can protect you against breast cancer. Pumpkin seeds have both lignans (a plant biased estrogen) and omega 3-fatty acids, that can help combat breast cancer. This means eating just pain roasted pumpkin (sunflower) seeds, not the extra salty flavored ones.  

     Lastly pumpkin can aid in keeping your blood sugar in line. It is said by many local healers around the world that pumpkin can help treat diabetes by encouraging the release of insulin in the body.

     So go out and get a pumpkin and have it as a side dish and get all the benefits it offers. They not only make your porch look nice but they can help your body feel nice also.

**Just cut it in half with a serrated knife, scoop out the seeds for roasting, cube it up and roast it with salt, pepper and olive oil and just enjoy the great taste and benefits**

Live Healthy,
     Nadia