With cold and flu season approaching and the winter holidays in warmer places right around the corner, many of us are trying to stay healthy. Y lose a few kilos (so we can put on those bikinis that have been sitting in the closet since summer). Whatever the reason, it’s always a good time to focus on your health, and that means taking your diet seriously. Fortunately, there are many foods that are delicious Y nutritious, including a fall staple that has been shown to boost immunity and aid weight loss: pumpkin.
To learn all the benefits of this festive fruit, we talked to health experts Lisa Richardsnutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, Paulina Lee, MS, RD, LD, founder of Smart Stummy Y eva de angelis, RDN, Health and Nutrition Editor. Find all your information below!
Pumpkin
Who doesn’t think of “pumpkin” when they think of “fall foods”? Fortunately, this fruit is more than just a tasty seasonal delicacy; it can also do wonders for your overall health.
pumpkin for immunity
So what makes butternut squash such a great addition to your diet, aside from the fact that it tastes undeniably delicious? As it turns out, experts say this fruit’s immunity-boosting benefits come from its high content of vitamins C, E, and E. “All of these vitamins can strengthen our immune system and help reduce cell damage caused by free radicals.” , fight infections, increase white blood cell production and make wounds heal faster,” says De Angelis. Richards agrees: “This combination helps boost the immune system and also protects against chronic disease,” she says.
And we have good news for pumpkin spice lovers, too; Richards tells us that the spices found in this blend (such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice) also “contain the same beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants found in the pumpkin itself,” which That means it can almost justify an extra slice of pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving…if you don’t consider all the sugar, of course.
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pumpkin for weight loss
All those vitamins in pumpkin are good for more than just immunity! In fact, Lee tells us that increasing your vitamin A intake by eating more pumpkin could help your weight loss journey; she cites one to study that suggests that “vitamin A intake was negatively correlated with several measures of adiposity, meaning that low vitamin A intake was often seen in heavier individuals.” Additionally, the high amounts of antioxidants in this fruit “may help reduce obesity-related inflammation.”
The fact that pumpkin can really pack into the fiber it’s just another reason why it’s a great weight loss food. “Fiber keeps you full longer and can decrease your appetite and the number of calories your body absorbs from the food you eat,” says De Angelis. Overall, this is a satiating fruit that will help keep you full longer without packing on calories, making it a perfect choice for anyone trying to lose weight.
The bottom line
Of course, staying healthy from disease and losing weight is more than just eating one food; Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping up with healthy habits every day is essential to your overall well-being. However, incorporating tasty and nutritious foods into your meals is always a good idea, and pumpkin is a fantastic option this fall!
