Who can’t eat pumpkin

Pumpkin is actively used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. Many delicious dishes are made from this vegetable, including fragrant pumpkin soup. What vitamins are found in pumpkin and is there any harm from it? These questions were answered by 5-tv.ru nutrition expert Anna Grace.

The benefits and harms of pumpkin

Pumpkin came to the Old World from Mexico thanks to the Spaniards in the 16th century. In Russia, they got acquainted with this vegetable later, but they also liked the people who grew it in gardens along with related squash plants.

Pumpkin is a source of B, PP, E, C vitamins, antioxidants, trace elements, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, pectin, fiber and, of course, carotene, a pigment due to which it has its own characteristic color.

Like carrots, pumpkin contains a lot of beta-carotene, which has a positive effect on vision, skin, mucous membranes and the immune system. In addition, carotenoids protect the walls of blood vessels from atherosclerosis, and also prevent inflammation and slow down aging.

Due to the rich vitamin complex, including ascorbic acid, pumpkin is especially useful to eat in the cold season, when immunity decreases, fatigue appears or insomnia develops. Despite the wide range of benefits, pumpkin can be dangerous in some cases.

Pumpkin should not be eaten with:

— Gastritis;

— Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;

– Allergies and individual intolerance;

— Severe form of diabetes;

— Pancreatitis;

— Stones in the gallbladder and kidneys.

“Pumpkin contains many vitamins and minerals, but people with gastritis and low acidity should refrain from it — this product alkalizes the body, which increases the acidic environment. Due to the high content of the glycemic index, the vegetable provokes spikes in blood sugar concentration, so diabetics should not eat it either. With pancreatitis, pumpkin is dangerous for the pancreas, as it increases pain. You should also refuse a vegetable if you have an allergy, ”says nutritionist Grace.

Also, young children and the elderly should not eat raw pumpkin dishes, as it is harder to digest in this form. In addition, the vegetable can cause gas formation, so you should not get carried away eating pumpkin before important events.

How to choose a juicy pumpkin

When choosing a pumpkin in a supermarket, focus on its appearance, a nutritionist advises.

“A tasty and edible pumpkin has a dense skin, but not “wooden”, that is, it should not have cracks and soft spots. — explains Grace — Dark spots on the pumpkin indicate the process of decay — it is better not to take this one. Ripe pumpkins have a dark and dry tail. If there is no tail, then it is better not to buy, perhaps the vegetable was plucked ahead of time and did not have time to ripen.

Pumpkin seeds are also used in consumption due to the presence of healthy fats and proteins. Especially tasty of them is vegetable oil, the use of which will improve the condition of hair, skin and nails.