11 Amazing Ways Squash Can Keep You Healthy by: Tricia Drevets for Off The Grid News
What do you think of when you hear the term “squash?” Maybe it’s last summer’s bumper zucchini crop or the pumpkin that you carved last October? Yes, those are two popular squashes, but there are so many other varieties. In fact, squash is a term that includes literally dozens of fruits – yes, fruits – that share similar characteristics and belong to the plant genus Cucurbita.
Some of the popular squash varieties are butternut, acorn Hubbard, Kabocha, Delicata, Calabaza and spaghetti. Some squashes are identified by the season they are harvested, such as summer and winter squash.
Squash has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. Archeologists have found evidence of squash being grown in ancient North and South America, and early European settlers found it to be a staple part of the diet of some Native American tribes.
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More than just a decorative object for fall harvest season, squash offers many nutritional and health benefits. It is packed with vitamin A and contains a high percentage of vitamins C, E, and B6, niacin, thiamine and folate. Squash also boasts a variety of healthy minerals, including potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium and iron.
Here are 11 health benefits you can enjoy from adding more squash to your family’s diet.
1. Inflammation reduction. The omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids (including lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene) in squash can help reduce inflammation in the body. Squash consumption has been linked to less inflammation in conditions such as arthritis, gout, type-2 diabetes, ulcers and cardiovascular disorders.
2. Immunity boost. The vitamins (especially the vitamin A) and minerals found in squash work as antioxidants in the body, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals and offering an important boost to the body’s immune system.
3. Lung health. Vitamin A, which is abundant in squash, has been linked with healthy lungs, and it may offer some protection against emphysema and lung cancer.
4. Diabetes management. Squash is rich in B-complex vitamins, which are important to the metabolism of sugar in the body. In addition, the dietary fiber found in squash, such as pectin, is an important part of the body’s blood sugar regulation process.
5. Infection protection. Have you ever roasted and eaten pumpkin seeds? Squash seeds offer antimicrobial and antifungal benefits, which can protect the body from harmful parasites and certain diseases.
