Health Benefits of Butternut Squash
1. Ample dose of dietary fiber
2. Full of Potassium
3. Full of Vitamin B6
4. Full of Vitamin C
5. Anti-oxidant
6. Aids with weight loss
7. Helps our bodies use stored fat for energy
8. Protective for Cancers
9. Protective for Arthritis
10. Good for the eyes
11. Decreases with blood pressure levels
12. Heart Healthy
13. May help with diabetes
14. May help with Osteoporosis
From WebMd,com
Butternut squash is a type of winter squash with pale orange skin and a bright orange interior. Both the skin and the flesh are hard and firm, and it’s shaped almost like an elongated pear. Like pumpkins and zucchini, butternut squash is a member of the cucurbitaceae family.
Squash is among the oldest known crops, dating back 10,000 years to Mexico and Central America. The name squash comes from the Native American word askutasquash, which means uncooked or eaten raw.
The taste of butternut squash is fairly mild, somewhat sweet, and a little bit nutty. Its flavor may remind you of a cross between a sweet potato and a carrot or turnip.
For vitamins and nutrients, one serving of butternut squash is packed with:
- More than 100% of your daily requirement of vitamin A
- Nearly 40% of your daily requirement of vitamin C
- About 15% of your daily requirement of magnesium
- About 18% of your daily requirement of potassium
- About 5% of your daily requirement of calcium
What Butternut Squash Can Do for You
It’s a great hydrator. One serving of butternut squash is roughly 87% water, which can help keep you hydrated.
It’s good for your immunity. Like other orange-colored fruits and vegetables, butternut squash is full of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Your body converts them to vitamin A, which is important for your immune system.
It’s excellent for your eyes. Butternut squash has lutein and zeaxanthin, often found in yellow fruits and vegetables as well as eggs. Along with beta-carotene and vitamin A, these protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Keep in mind that your body needs a bit of healthy fat to best absorb these eye-benefitting nutrients, so consider eating butternut squash with a little drizzle of olive oil.
It’s a good source of fiber. Foods high in dietary fiber can help keep your weight in balance and lower your cancer risk. Research shows that butternut squash can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, in particular.
It’s excellent for your eyes. Butternut squash has lutein and zeaxanthin, often found in yellow fruits and vegetables as well as eggs. Along with beta-carotene and vitamin A, these protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Keep in mind that your body needs a bit of healthy fat to best absorb these eye-benefitting nutrients, so consider eating butternut squash with a little drizzle of olive oil.
It’s a good source of fiber. Foods high in dietary fiber can help keep your weight in balance and lower your cancer risk. Research shows that butternut squash can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, in particular.
