Pumpkin is often recommended for the autumn-winter diet: it is used to make soups, baked dishes, and added to cereals. It is indeed a healthy product, but like any other, it can be harmful when consumed excessively or irrationally. Who should be cautious with pumpkin?
Mikhail Kutushov, a toxicologist and Doctor of Medical Sciences, shares his opinion:
- Pumpkin is a healthy product, and there is no doubt about that. However, in some cases, it can cause disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. For example, the consumption of raw pumpkin in salads is contraindicated for people with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Those with gallstones or kidney stones should also exercise caution, as a large amount of raw pumpkin can increase the risk of exacerbating cholelithiasis and provoke the movement of stones, which is extremely dangerous.
Despite its sweet flesh, excessive consumption of pumpkin can lead to a decrease in blood sugar levels to critically low levels, which is fraught with hypoglycemia.
Hypotension (low blood pressure) and pregnancy are also contraindications for regular consumption of pumpkin.
Nevertheless, I want to emphasize once again that pumpkin is an exceptionally healthy vegetable. It has a low calorie content — only 22 kcal per 100 grams in its raw form, making it an excellent choice for those who are watching their weight or want to lose weight. Pumpkin contains dietary fiber, pectin, organic acids, ash, a lot of water, and fatty omega acids. Pumpkin is rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, making it beneficial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiota, promoting better digestion. The orange flesh of the pumpkin contains vitamins PP, retinol, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B5, thiamine, tocopherol, as well as vitamin K and beta-carotene. The mineral composition of pumpkin flesh is also impressive: it contains phosphorus, fluorine, potassium, chlorine, calcium, iron, magnesium, iodine, and sodium.
Pumpkin seeds contain many essential oils, as well as rare substances such as phytic acid and carnitine (vitamin T). However, the seeds are quite high in calories, so I would not recommend consuming them roasted if your goal is weight loss.
