Pumpkins & Their Health and Beauty Benefits

When you think of pumpkins you have visions of falling leaves, holiday decorating, pie and scary Jack-o'-lanterns but you should also think of them as healthy food and beauty treatments. From the inside out pumpkin offers ideal sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber and the all-important antioxidants that our bodies need to stay healthy and young.

Nutritional benefits

The pumpkin is a member of the squash family and is delicious for eating cooked or using in recipes to make soup, bread, cake, cookies, and of course, pie. Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, K, and E and is rich in alpha and beta carotenes, important antioxidants. Antioxidants help to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease and build stronger immune systems among many other things. Pumpkin is also high in iron, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and fiber while being low in calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium. If pumpkin were to receive a letter grade for nutrition it would definitely get an "A".

You can cook a pumpkin whole and then cut it open, scoop out the seeds and insides before scooping out the healthful flesh. The best pumpkin for cooking whole should weigh between 2-5 pounds and feel heavy, not light. Place the pumpkin on a cookie sheet, poke it through the skin with a knife or fork in two or three places and bake at 350° F. for about an hour. The pumpkin is ready when you can poke the outer skin with a fork easily.

What about the seeds?

Not only is the pumpkin high in nutrition but the seeds rate high in benefits too. Pumpkin seeds contain Vitamin A, niacin, calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorus. They are a good source of protein and Omega 3 acids and contain no cholesterol but are high in (good) fat and carbohydrates. Pumpkin seeds are beneficial for your teeth, gums, hair and nails and have also been used to relieve nerves and constipation. Because they contain high amounts of zinc pumpkin seeds are beneficial for the prostate.

Before cooking seeds let them air dry on a paper towel then oil and salt or season them with whatever seasoning you prefer and bake on a cookie sheet for 45-60 minutes at 250° F. Stir them occasionally while cooking. Once cooled these seeds make healthy snacks.

Beauty benefits of pumpkins

Pumpkin ingredients make great moisturizing or exfoliating masks depending upon the ingredients you use. Enzymes in the pumpkin work to make your skin look younger. And the natural alpha-hydroxy acids in pumpkin help to slough off dead cells to reveal younger, fresher skin. There are products on the market that use pumpkin in their ingredients for facial masks but you can make your own with all-natural ingredients.

Moisturizing Mask

Mix 2 teaspoons cooked (cooled) pumpkin, ½ teaspoon honey and ¼ teaspoon milk. Apply to face avoiding the eye area. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes then rinse with warm water. Your skin should feel smoother and softer.

Exfoliating Mask

Mix 8 ounces cooked (cooled) pumpkin, 12 finely chopped almonds, ¼ cup honey and 1/8 teaspoon olive oil. You can use a blender if you wish to have a smoother mixture. Apply a thin layer on your face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse with warm water. You can store remaining mask mixture in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Pumpkins have proven benefits for health and beauty alike. Whether you use fresh, home-prepared pumpkin or the canned variety you are sure to benefit from adding them to your health and beauty regime.