Page 22 - October 2024

The Great Pumpkin

For many of us, October is a pumpkin month – let’s give this plant the attention

it truly deserves. This stunning squash is considered a “superfood,” a title
typically reserved for natural foods that are especially nutrient-dense.

First, a trivia question: is pumpkin a fruit According to naturopathic doctors,

or a vegetable? Since it is a product of the pumpkin also contains lutein and
seed-bearing structure of flowering plants, zeaxanthin, compounds that protect

from the botanists’ perspective, it is a fruit. your eyes from age-related macular
But because pumpkins are less sweet and degeneration and cataracts.
more savory from a culinary perspective, 2. Contains cancer-fighting elements

people categorize them as a vegetable. Yellow, orange and red plants like pumpkins,
carrots, squash contain carotenoids, a

Next, let’s look at several (out of many) pigment which combat the effects of free
health benefits, and why we should eat radicals in your body. This may help protect
pumpkin more often, all year ‘round, and you against some types of cancer.

not only during holiday season. 3. Pumpkin helps you age healthfully.
The same antioxidants that help prevent

The Health Benefits of Pumpkin cancer also help your body fight off the
1. Great for your eyes common cold, and ward off all sorts
“Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which is of damage done by free radicals. As a

really great for your vision. Just a single result, you have a better chance to slow
serving (about one cup) of pumpkin down aging and protect yourself from

can provide over 180% of your daily developing chronic conditions, like heart
recommended intake of vitamin A. disease and cancer.

22 myindigosun.com