Vegetables: squash, beneficial to health

Summer squash, very rich in nutrients

Squash as we know it is very rich in nutrients, which both consumed to maintain a healthy body. Although it's called “summer squash”, but this vegetables are available all year round, but especially in May until July. Summer squash is a green-skinned vegetable, soft and has a creamy white flesh with delicate flavor. They are from Cucurbitaceae family, such as melons and cucumbers. Skin, flesh and seed squash is edible. Kinds of summer squash are often consumed include, cucumbers, crookneck squash, straightneck squash, and pattypan squash.

Summer squash has a variety of health benefits:

Cancer Prevention

“Summer squash” is a vegetable that contains phytonutrient or naturally occurring compounds that have disease prevention properties. Some studies say that squash vegetable juice has anti-cancer benefits as for its ability to prevent cell mutations.

Maintaining prostate health

Content of phytonutrient in the “squash” can be therapy to keep prostate gland health us from problems such as enlarged glands, urinary disorders to sexual problems. Everything can be done by combining squash with phytonutrient contained in another vegetable.

Maintaining heart health

“Summer squash” is a source of minerals and vitamins that are impressive. Among them are containing vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, fiber, potassium, folate, copper, riboflavin, and phosphorus.

Studies show vitamin C and beta carotene contained shall prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Which oxidized cholesterol deposits on blood vessel walls and if too long can cause atherosclerosis. And also the content of magnesium in the summer squash serves to reduce heart attacks and strokes. In addition, along with potassium, a combination of both can reduce high blood pressure as well. Then the fiber in the summer squash is a good component for lowering cholesterol in the body that cause atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.

Prevention of various diseases

High in fiber in the “summer squash” are very good for maintaining healthy colon and with the addition of vitamin C, folate and beta carotene can protect the gut from diseases such as colon cancer. Vitamin C and beta carotene also have anti-inflammatory properties that helps reduce the risk of asthma, osteoarthritis (joint pain) and rheumatoid arthritis.