It’s officially pumpkin season (spiced latte anyone?), and most people I know love it; well, except me. But after coming across all the health benefits of pumpkins, I might just force myself to love it.

Anyway, did you know that historically, according to some sources, the Greek called the pumpkin ‘pepon’, the French called it ‘pompon’ and the English ‘pumpion’? Then the Americans changed it to pumpkin, as we know it today. Nevertheless, pumpkin is still a pumpkin; right?

Back in the day, Native Americans used pumpkin for its medicinal values. It was used to cure everything from snake bites, and freckles, to expelling worms. But nowadays pumpkins are used for both recreation and food. They are a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals in the United States and Canada, and during Halloween, we carve jack-o’-lanterns out of pumpkins and use them for decoration. Here in the Middle East, they are used for making sweet dishes like the Halawa yaqtin, which a form of pie.

That said, there are a lot of health benefits of pumpkins, which I’ve collected and shared below, hoping you’ll appreciate the fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) more.

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Health Benefits of Pumpkins

Weight management: Pumpkin is a good source of fibre and it can keep you feeling full for longer on fewer calories. A diet rich in fibre can help people eat less, which can lead to weight management, or weight loss if you’re trying to reach a certain weight goal.
Good for a healthy heart: Anything that is not filled with bad fats (saturated fats) is bad for the heart. Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are rich in plant-based chemicals called phytosterols that reduce LDL or bad cholesterol.
Better Sleep: Pumpkin seeds, again, contain the amino acid tryptophan, which helps the body make serotonin. Serotonin is the feel-good neurotransmitter that helps the body to relax and improve one’s mood.
Keeps blood pressure stable: One of the unknown health benefits of pumpkins is its ability to keep your blood pressure stable. According to one study, phytoestrogens which are found in pumpkin seed oil help in preventing hypertension. The research found that the oil lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in about 12 weeks.
Better eyesight: The orange colour of the pumpkin comes from beta carotene that is converted to vitamin A in the body which is essential for good eyesight. It helps the retina to absorb and process light. Carrots anyone?
Boosts immunity: Pumpkins contain vitamin A which helps the body fight infections. Pumpkin oil on the other hand, according to research, fights inflammations like acne vulgaris.
Antioxidant benefits: Again, Beta carotene, which converts into vitamin A which is an antioxidant that protects cells, boosts immunity and keeps the reproductive system healthy.