This popular all-over-the-world bright orange fruit is often used as a seasonal decoration. However, it is also a power-food packed with important nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Due to its unique nutrient content, this nice-looking fruit has the ability to lower blood pressure, improve type 2 diabetes and even promote healthy weight.

Pumpkin is a widely grown fruit in most of the climate zones throughout the world.

Its unique color and shape make it a great decoration for Halloween and other celebrations.

Nevertheless, this brightly colored fruit also offers unique health benefits. Pumpkin flesh is loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B and potassium. These nutrients are known to counteract the effects of sodium, which in turn, lowers blood pressure and supports cardiovascular health.

A recent study done on pumpkin’s health benefits revealed that it has a remarkable ability to control blood sugar levels.
Researchers found that the compounds in pumpkin improve insulin levels in the blood by helping promote regeneration of damaged insulin-producing beta cells.

The full research published in the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture,” concludes that including pumpkin to the diets of participants suffering from type 2 diabetes could significantly improve this dangerous health condition.

Another great health benefit of pumpkin is the ability to lower total blood cholesterol and regulate triglyceride levels. Eating this amazing fruit helps maintain healthy weight and support cardiovascular health.

Also, it has been noticed that people consuming pumpkin regularly are less affected by depression and insomnia. Chemicals found in pumpkin help induce better mood and lower stress levels.

Even more powerful are pumpkin seeds:

• Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of dietary minerals like zinc, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese.
• They are rich in vitamin E. This essential vitamin supports cardiovascular health and helps maintain healthy bodily functions.
• These unique seeds have the powerful combination of heart health-promoting nutrients like phytonutrients, antioxidants and phenolic acid.
• There is no better support to promote healthy prostate than a handful of Pumpkin seeds.
• Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber and mono-saturated fatty acids that support healthy heart and brain function.

A 100 g servng of Pumpkin seeds provides 559 calories, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron , zinc (71 % ) and selenium (17 %), and it contains a very important health promoting amino acid called tryptophan.

Preparation:

You can use cooked pumpkin pulp for various dishes; for example, muffins, cakes, soups or stews.

To prepare pumpkin pulp, remove the stem end of a pumpkin with a knife. Cut it in half and discard seeds. Cut pumpkin halves into wedges, peel them and cut the pulp into medium size chunks. Boil the chunks in a small amount of water until they become soft.

Vegetarian Pumpkin Soup Puree- recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cooked pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 medium potatoes, washed, peeled, chopped in small pieces
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 litre Veggie stock
• 1 medium leek, trimmed, washed, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of cream
• 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped chives
• 3 cloves garlic
• Black pepper to taste
• toasted Italian bread slices for serving

Squeeze 3 garlic cloves. Reserve for later. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leek. Cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until leek becomes softened. Add potato. Cook, stirring, for 7 minutes.

Add stock and 2 cups cold water. Add some black pepper. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in pumpkin and garlic. Bring to a low boil. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly.

Blend pumpkin mixture, until smooth. Return to pan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Drizzle with cream and sprinkle with chives. Serve with toasted Italian bread.

As powerful as pumpkins are, you may need a little more to completely reverse type 2 diabetes. Follow this 3-step approach to heal your type 2 diabetes in 28 days or less…

Or, if you need to lower your blood pressure, discover how 3 easy exercises drop blood pressure below 120/80 as soon as today…