A lot of people consider winter squash as an exceptional holiday decoration and soup ingredient. However, not everyone is aware that this relative of cucumber and melon is actually a very nutritious treat. This article will discuss some of the most impressive health benefits that winter squash is scientifically-proven to bring.
Before we tackle those, let’s get ourselves familiarized with it first.
Did you know that it’s one of the oldest fresh produce cultivated in various parts of Central and South America like Mexico, Argentina and Chile? Despite of what it’s called, winter squash is not grown or harvested in winter — it’s referred to as such because of its white exterior, although it also comes in grayish blue, yellow and orange.
Although technically a fruit, winter squash is consumed as a vegetable. It is often used as a soup and stew ingredient, and frequently baked, too. Many love to turn it into pie or even jam.
Now that you are more acquainted with winter squash, it’s time to get to know some of the health benefits that it offers. Get this included in your diet on a regular basis so that you may enjoy the following:
Increased Immunity
Winter squash is a wonderful source of vitamin C. As everybody knows, this nutrient is essential for keeping the immune system in an excellent shape. Having a strong immune system helps save you from getting the common cold or flu because your body is more capable of fighting off the viruses responsible for those infections.
Beautified Skin
Vitamin C found in winter squash is good not only for the immune system, but also the skin. That is why consuming it as regularly as you can allows your skin to look young and healthy. If you want to keep wrinkles at bay, load up on winter squash because its vitamin C content is necessary for collagen synthesis.
Sharpened Vision
Aside from vitamin C, there is also an abundance of vitamin A in winter squash. It’s for this very reason why adding it to your diet can help in keeping your vision sharp, including at nighttime. Eye specialists say that vitamin A also helps ward off eye problem that may eventually lead to loss of vision if they’re not treated promptly.
Improved Digestion
Winter squash is packed with dietary fiber that helps promote better digestion by encouraging the production of more juices and enzymes that break down food. What’s more, dietary fiber in winter squash facilitates the flushing out of digestive by-products. In other words, consuming it regularly can help keep constipation at bay.
Lowered Risk of Cancer
Thanks to the loads of compounds in it that possess superb antioxidant properties, the inclusion of winter squash in your diet on a regular basis may help lower your risk of having cancer. Studies have shown that winter squash is especially good at preventing cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon and lungs.
Controlled Inflammation
Regular consumption of winter squash is also recommended for individuals who suffer from arthritis, and thus commonly bugged by joints that are achy and swollen. It’s for the scientifically-proven fact that winter squash offers amazing anti-inflammatory properties that help keep the joints from becoming inflamed and painful.
