Eat pumpkin, stay healthy

Dr. N.Khumdemo Ezung
Senior Scientist and head (i/c)
KVK (ICAR), Kiphire


The word “Pumpkin” is derived from the Greek word “Pepon” which means “large melon”. The French changed the word “pepon” to “Pompon”. The English then changed the word “Pompon” to “Pumpion”. Later on, the America colonists subsequently changed the word “Pumpion” to “Pumpkin”. Records seed to suggest that the seeds from related plants have been found in México dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C. It is under the gourd species of the “Cucurbita” family, which also included the butternut squash, china squash and the famous Halloween squash and adornment and the cucumbers.


Nature has endowed it with abundant Beta-carotene, an important Antioxidant, which is then converted to Vitamin A in the body. Without adequate Vitamin A, we may experience brittle hair, dry skin, fatigue and even poor appetite and digestion. The rich coloured pulp or “meat” of the pumpkin contains more Vitamin A than any other fruits or vegetables.


For centuries, the seeds of the pumpkin have been used as a natural remedy for enhancing the health of the bladder and the men’s prostrate. The juice of the pumpkin and its seeds has also been long used in maintaining the health of the prostrate. It has been noted that men have experienced appreciable reduction with the prostrate enlargement after consuming the pumpkin seeds on a therapeutic basis. Frequent eating of the pumpkin seeds has resulted in minimizing prostrate problems. The nutritional values of the Pumpkin and it effect on the health is worth discussing

 

NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES OF PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is very rich in Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium and Iron, and the importance of its contents of Chlorine and Phosphorus are significant. It also contains other trace minerals including Manganese, Selenium, Copper and Zinc. Pumiki8n is also low in calorie (20 to 50 calories per 100 gm) and relatively low in carbohydrate. It is high in water content (90%); and is therefore suitable for persons who wish to lose weight.


Pumpkin is a rich and excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. No other fruit or vegetable contains as much Vitamin B(200 IU per 100 gm) as the pumpkin. It is also a good source of Folic Acid. Pumpkin contains no cholesterol. It has water content of about 90% and is low in fat and high in Dietary Fiber. Hence it is good for the diabetics. The pumpkin, especially its juice, is a good diuretic, assisting with urine flow.


It has a good source of the beneficial polyunsaturated Fatty Acid, Linolenic acid, Omega-3 and Omega-6, also known as Essential Fatty Acids.


Pumpkin seeds are an excellent natural source of Zinc and Vitamin E, which are especially important for older men, as they may help maintain a healthy prostrate, and reduce symptoms of Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia (BPH).


The bright yellowish orange colour of the pulp of the pumpkin is indeed a giveway that the pumpkin is loaded with ample supply of Beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that resists against cancer causing free radicals. The pumpkin pulp contains significant amount of Lutein, Alpha and Beta-carotene. The body then converts these nutrients into Vitamin A.


It has been known for centuries that the juice derived from the pumpkin pulp and seeds had aided in the health of the prostrate gland. In countries where pumpkin seeds are a regular part of the diet, men have lower rates of prostrate problems. The exact mechanism for the seeds’ effectiveness may be attributed to the fatty oil in the seeds that promotes urine flow. The fatty oil appears to block the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone on the prostrate gland, resulting in reducing hormonal damage to prostate cells, possibly reducing the future risk of developing prostate cancer. Pumpkin aids in the reduction of the blood glucose and fat level; relieves eye fatigue and night blindness. It also aids with the control of secretion of the bile. The fresh yellowing pumpkin flowers are edible and known to be good for eyesight. 

 


NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES OF PUMPKIN SEEDS

1. Prostrate and gallbladder problem:
Pumpkin seeds contain chemical substances called cucurbitacins that can prevent the body from converting testosterone into a much more potent form of this hormone called dihydrotesterone. Without dihydrotesterone, it is more difficult for the body to produce more prostate cells, and there fore more difficult for the prostate to keep enlarging. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of Zinc and it has its role as a prostate protector. 
Pumpkin is also a good source of Folate, which is a form of B vitamin-folic acid. Folate is essential for the proper synthesis and repair of DNA and therefore for cell division. Folate aids to protect the prostate, as it may lower the risk of prostate cancer by about 30%.

 

2. Bladder Problem:
Pumpkin seeds calm the troubled bladder sometimes associated with bedwetting and other bladder problems. The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethera in men. Hence, managing the enlargement of the prostate, is indirectly assisting with the bladder and urethra issue.

 

3. Kidney Problem:
Eating of pumpkin seed is believed to be a traditionally herbal remedy o the reduction of urinary risk associated with the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones only. Pumpkin seeds are known to reduce levels of substances that promotes stone formation in the urine whilst increasing levels of substances that inhibits kidney stone formation. Approximately 5-10 grams per day of pumpkin seeds may be needed for kidney stone prevention.

 

4. Eliminate Intestinal Parasites:
Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, an active ingredient that is believed to paralyze intestinal parasites and expel them from the body. This active ingredient is believed to paralyze the worms (including the tapeworms, the round worms) over time, forcing them to loose their grip and get expelled from the intestines, when infested, and cast them out of the body.


For parasitic treatment, 200-400 grams are ground and taken with milk and honey, followed by castor oil two hours later. This treatment, however, should not be attempted unless under medical supervision.

 

5. For parasitic infection:
This same ingredient, amino acid cucurbitin, also is good for controlling intestinal bacteria, which cause rectal itching. Parasites are a contributing factor to a variety of diseases and conditions. In China the pumpkin seeds have been helping people with severe parasitic disease transmitted through snails.

 

6. Bones:
The Zinc-rich pumpkin seeds aid with bone mineral density. This would assist with the delaying, or avoidance of occurrence of osteoporosis for both the elderly men and women. Almost 30% of the hip fractures occur in men, and 1 in 8 men over age 50 will have an osteoporotic fractures. There is a clear correlation between low dietary intake of zinc, low blood levels of the trace mineral, and osteoporosis at the hip and spine.

 

7. Arthritis:
Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory benefits that can help prevent hardening of the arteries, as they contain linolenic acid. The consumption of pumpkin seeds compared favourably with the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Another plus point is that the pumpkin seeds do not increase the level of damaged fats in the linings of the joints, a side-effect that actually contributes to the progression of arthritis.

 

8. Lowers Cholesterol:
Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols (265mg/100gm), which are compounds found in plants, and have chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease the risk of certain cancers.

 

9. Depression:
L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds is purported to help with depression.

 

Thus, we know now about the positive effect it has on our health. Hence, it can be incorporated into our normal diet which can be taken in various forms and preparations.