HEALTH

USU Extension recommends eating pumpkin, calls it “superfood”

Oct 29, 2024, 4:00 PM | Updated: 4:14 pm

Pumpkin soup...

Utah State University's Extension recommended incorporating pumpkin into your diet because it contains several beneficial nutrients. (Canva)

(Canva)

SALT LAKE CITY — Just in time for Halloween, Utah State University’s Extension is extolling the virtues of pumpkin. Not for carving, but for eating, as it contains a number of nutrients that benefit our health. 

Those nutrients include vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. They are especially important nutrients during cold and flu season. 

Pumpkins and your health

Pumpkins contain vitamin A, USU Extension noted, which benefits eye health. 

In addition to preventing eye conditions such as macular degeneration, vitamin A can help prevent measles in children. The National Institute of Health said it also may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, however, more research is needed. 

Carotenoids, which are also in pumpkins, may also lower the risk of cancer. 

Eating pumpkin can also be good for your heart. Potassium, fiber, and antioxidants benefit heart health and they’re all found in pumpkin.

Finally, USU said that pumpkin contains vitamin C which can help boost your immune system.  

How do I eat them?

USU said there are many ways to eat pumpkin. For example, it can be pureed and added to recipes, blended into soups, or included in salads. 

If you choose to eat it raw, FoodSafety.gov recommends washing it first to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. 

Don’t forget the seeds! After gutting your decorative pumpkin, USU said the seeds can be cleaned and roasted, making an autumn snack. 

If you do choose to cook your pumpkin, USU Extension recommends purchasing specific cooking pumpkins. They are thinner than carving pumpkins, making them better suited for cooking. 

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USU Extension recommends eating pumpkin, calls it “superfood”