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The Health Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini is one of the easiest plants to grow in home gardens. With its impressive fruit growth and nutritious content, zucchini is easy to add to any healthy diet. Some of the nutrition facts that can improve your health through regular consumption of zucchini include the following list of zucchini benefits:

  1. Eye health support:
Growing Squash in an Organic Garden Bed
Growing Squash in an Organic Garden Bed

Zucchini is rich in Vitamins A and C as well as manganese and carotenoids such as zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and lutein (loo-teen) which all support healthy eyes. Beta carotene found in zucchini converts to Vitamin A which supports the cornea of your eyes. 1 cup of Cooked zucchini provides as much as 40% of the recommended daily intake amount of vitamin A.   Although Vitamin A levels are higher in cooked zucchini than raw zucchini, raw zucchini contains more vitamin C because vitamin C tends to gets reduced in the cooking process. Regardless, even cooked zucchini still provides about 14% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Another nutrient found in zucchini that supports eye health are lutein and zeaxanthin located in your eyes.  These antioxidants are primarily found in dark leafy green vegetables and plants like zucchini.  Lutein and zeaxanthin filter out harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light, protecting against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration that are the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

  1. Blood Sugar Level Regulation:

With only 3 grams of carbs to 1 gram of fiber per cup, zucchini makes a great low carb alternative in many dishes.  Research has shown that adding 30 grams of fiber to your diet lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes since fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar and lower insulin levels.

  1. Promotion of a Healthy Heart:

Zucchini may help to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by the potassium, pectin and carotenoids it contains.  Potassium, which can dilate blood vessels has been linked to a reduction in high blood pressure, while Pectin, a soluble fiber also called polysaccharide, has been known to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol in the circulatory system of the human body.

  1. Improved Digestion:

Heavy water content along with soluble fiber makes zucchini great for softening stools and reducing constipation.  This fiber feeds the beneficial bacteria living in the gut which in turn produces short-chain fatty acids that nourish gut cells, reducing inflammation and helping to reduce bowel disorders.

  1. Healthy Weight Loss:

Since Diets rich in carbohydrates and sugar are often linked to weight gain, zucchini provides a low calorie, high fiber and water substitute that can aid weight loss by helping you feel full longer between meals.

  1. Strengthened Bones and Improved Thyroid and Adrenal functions:

Vitamin K, magnesium and antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin found in zucchini are known to help strengthen bones.  Likewise, Vitamin C and polyphenols, found especially in the skin of zucchini, may help regulate thyroid hormones and adrenal functions.

  1. Increased Energy Production and a Healthy Prostate:

B-Vitamins found in zucchini, especially folate, riboflavin and B6, have been shown to reduce fatigue and improve moods by increasing energy production in the body.  Animal studies have also found that zucchini seed extracts may guard against an enlarged prostate that can cause urinary and sexual disorders.

  1. Slowed Down Aging and Improved Immunity:

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, including vitamins A, C, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, found especially in the skins of zucchini, not only slow down aging but boost immunity by reducing the damage caused by toxins, free radicals, and inflammation that can lead to disease.  Animal studies have even indicated that zucchini extracts may help to kill or limit the growth of certain cancer cells. Again, please do not take our information as health advice to cure any disease. We encourage you to consult with your doctor before you implement any of these strategies for heath as more clinical, human research is needed to confirm these results.

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