The “superfruit” that helps fight constipation

According to the US National Institutes of Health, the constipation it is a condition in which a person is unable to defecate or has three or even fewer bowel movements in a week. Stools are usually hard, dry, or lumpy, and passing is difficult or painful.

To treat constipation, specialists recommend doing a few dietary changesbeing more physically active or taking some over-the-counter medications.

Fiber-rich foods, such as pumpkinthey help improve intestinal transit by preventing constipation, which in turn helps protect against colon cancer and cardiovascular disease.

If it does not improve with self-care or if the person has long-term or chronic constipation, it is advisable to see a doctor if medication, biofeedback, or surgery is needed.

Benefits of pumpkin

1) Helps the immune system

Pumpkin contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, and many of them can help prevent a cold or the flu.

Vitamin A can strengthen the immune system and help fight infections. Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells and improves the effectiveness of immune cells, accelerating wound healing. Additionally, pumpkin seeds provide a number of nutrients that support the immune system, such as zinc

2) Good for heart and blood pressure

Pumpkin is a good source of potassium, as it helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effect of sodium; and fiber, which reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. It also contains arginine, an amino acid that the body needs to produce nitric oxide, which is essential for dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.

In addition, it contains several antioxidants that can prevent LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol from carrying out the oxidation process.

3) Good for the digestive system

Pumpkin is a food with great diuretic and laxative value, due to its high fiber and water content, which added to its very low energy intake, makes it highly recommended in case of obesity and constipation.

4) They help in relaxation

Pumpkin seeds are incredibly rich in tryptophan, a precursor amino acid of serotonin. This neurotransmitter is what promotes adequate rest. For this reason, the consumption of pumpkin seeds is associated with better sleep.

5) Beneficial for the skin

Vitamin E present in pumpkin is beneficial for skin, small wounds and abscesses. In minor burns, pumpkin soothes the skin and relieves the sensation of pain. In case of insect bites, pumpkin or gourd wraps can be a relief.