It’s that time of year again, when we stock up on ghoulish costumes, creepy decorations and large, round pumpkins to get in the spirit of Halloween.Here at V8 we’re big fans of pumpkin carving, and as you may well know, we hold a very exciting competition every year to find the best pumpkin carving designs. But have you ever considered the health benefits of pumpkins?
While they may be handy tools for Halloween decoration, pumpkins are one of the best fruits for their nutritious goodness and healthy perks. Keep reading to find out six surprising health benefits of pumpkin to give your Halloween a healthy boost.
1. Weight-loss Wonder
Pumpkins are packed full of fibre – with 3 grams per one cup serving – making them an excellent choice if you want to feel fuller for longer on fewer calories. A fibre-rich diet is one of the best ways to keep your weight down, so consider using your Halloween pumpkin in your cooking to reap the benefits. Pumpkin risotto is a really delicious dish
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
Pumpkin carving can be a tricky task when it comes to fishing out all the seeds, but don’t throw them away because they are mighty healthy! Pumpkin seeds contain phytoestrogens which, according to research, can aid heart health and reduce hypertension. Better yet, the seeds also contain plant-based chemicals called phytosterols which are handy for lowering cholesterol.
3. Mood Boosters
The amino acid, tryptophan is found in bountiful supply in pumpkins, which is great news if you’re feeling a bit down. Trytophan is linked to the production of serotonin, which is one of the key mood-boosting hormones. So if you’re having a slow morning, tuck into some roasted pumpkin seeds or enjoy a delicious pumpkin smoothie to lift your spirits.
4. Sharper Vision
Give your eyesight a boost with a good dose of pumpkin! Containing twice the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A – which promotes good vision – pumpkins are one of the best foods for maintaining eye health. According to research, Vitamin A can also help to slow the decline of retinal function in people with the disease, retinis pigmentosa.
5. Plenty of Potassium
Bananas are known to have high levels of potassium, but if you’re not a fan, pumpkin is a great alternative! A cup of cooked pumpkin contains 564mg of potassium compared to 422mg in bananas, which makes this autumnal fruit a fantastic choice for preventing fatigue and muscle weakness. Keep you energy levels up by making pumpkin mash or pumpkin pasta sauce to add to your family meals.
Hell-thy Halloween Fun
Of course the biggest hell-th benefit of pumpkins is their fantastic carving potential, which is a great source of happiness for families worldwide. Happiness is by far one of the best things for boosting health and well-being, so make sure yours is up to scratch this Halloween by taking part in our V8 Pumpkin Carving Competition.
What spooky designs and ghoulish themes can you come up with? Share your pumpkins with us on our Facebook page to be in the chance of winning a spooktacular prize of our delicious V8 juices!
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