5 years ago | Nutrition
By Joy Stephenson-Laws, J.D., Founder
5 Reasons To Give Kabocha Squash A Go!
There are more than 100 types of squash! Just to name a few, there’s zucchini squash, butternut squash, yellow squash and acorn squash. My personal favorite is the Kabocha squash, also known as Japanese pumpkin. You have likely seen Kabocha squash at your favorite Japanese restaurant, sliced, battered and fried as part of a tempura dish.
In my opinion, it is one of the sweetest squashes out there. The best way I can describe the taste and texture of Kabocha squash is that it’s as if a sweet potato and pumpkin had a baby! It’s delicious, comforting, healthy (if prepared the right way) and a great squash to include in your cookiing routine as you shelter in place
.
Kabocha squash is a great source of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a nutrient that we all need. It’s great for bone health and just as important as other nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, iron, magnesium and others. Along with bone growth, vitamin A plays a role in vision, immune system health, reproduction, cell division and cell differentiation. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant that helps fight inflammation by reducing free radical damage. This vitamin may even reduce the risk of heart disease.
Just one cup of Kabocha squash has more than 90 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin A.
Kabocha squash also contains vitamin C.
I used to associate vitamin C with only citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons. But Kabocha squash is also a great source of vitamin C, which is important to me because I have a genetic predisposition to be low in this essential nutrient.
Vitamin C protects the immune system from deficiencies that may lead to cardiovascular illnesses and other diseases. It is one of the most important nutrients needed for our survival. It is also an antioxidant, which means it protects our bodies from free radicals and other harmful molecules. It is a major producer of collagen, which is the main ingredient behind the repair of bone and skin tissue, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and teeth. Vitamin C also helps moisturize and nourish the skin, which may increase skin elasticity and may even restore a youthful appearance.
This vitamin may even help with complications from diabetes.
Kabocha squash is a low glycemic food.
Eating low glycemic foods can be very beneficial to your health.
“A low-glycemic diet can help you control your weight by minimizing spikes in your blood sugar and insulin levels. This is particularly important if you have type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing it. Low-glycemic diets have also been linked to reduced risks for cancer, heart disease, and other conditions,” reports Harvard Health.
(Apples, oranges, sweet potato, kidney beans and lentils are examples of other low glycemic foods).
Kabocha squash is a good source of fiber.
Fiber may help relieve constipation, soothe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may even help prevent colon cancer. Fiber can also make you feel more full for a sustained period of time (which could prevent overeating later). In addition to this, fiber can help lower bad cholesterol levels and help manage your sugar levels.
Kabocha squash contains iron.
Iron is a very important mineral that we all need to survive. Every single cell in our body needs it to function optimally. Specifically, we need iron to make hemoglobin (a component of our red blood cells) which delivers oxygen to all the cells in our bodies. To put our need for oxygen in perspective, we can live for weeks without food, days without water but only a few minutes without oxygen. Without enough iron, our bodies will not be able to carry sufficient oxygen to our vital organs and this may cause us to feel tired.
Kabocha squash is very versatile and there are so many ways to prepare it. I know battered and fried as tempura may sound good, but trust me when I say there are healthier ways that are even more delicious.
You can roast kabocha squash in the oven and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. You can also do a curried Kabocha squash soup or a Kabocha squash salad.
One of the great things about this squash is that reports of allergies or interactions with this food are rare, however, if you are taking any medications or have any existing health issues, it is always advised that you speak with a competent healthcare professional regarding what foods you are including in your diet.
Enjoy your healthy life!
The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.
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Kabocha squash squash nutrition diet nutrients vitamins and minerals healthy foods to eat Vitamin C Vitamin A cooking home cooking healthy meals healthy recipes
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Minerals - The Forgotten Nutrient: Your Secret Weapon for Getting and Staying Healthy
Minerals are, in many ways, the unheralded and often forgotten heroes of keeping our bodies functioning at their best. While the nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fat may be better well known, minerals are equally vital for helping us get and stay healthy.
They play a key role in combatting disease, helping your body heal, managing ongoing chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, minimizing the impact of such common maladies as headaches and PMS, helping children grow up strong, enhancing mental performance at all ages, and fatigue. They truly are your secret weapon for getting and staying your healthiest.
In this easy-to-read and easy-to-use guide, pH Lab’s team of recognized medical doctors and specialists tell you about the role minerals play with common health issues along with detailed information about individual minerals. You’ll also learn more about the relationship between minerals and prescription medicines, why you need more than routine blood tests to see what minerals your body may need, and where you can get these tests.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MINERAL DEFICIENCY
SODAS
Phosphoric acid is used to enhance the flavor of many carbonated drinks. It provides that tanginess that we enjoy. Although phosphorus is an integral part of bones, high phosphorous intake, such as from the acidic forms found in sodas, can cause essential healthy bone minerals such as calcium and magnesium to get pushed away while phosphates take their place leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis).
ALCOHOL
Chronic excessive alcohol users frequently have multiple nutritional and mineral deficits. Alcohol has strong diuretic effects which may contribute to loss of minerals in the urine. There are other mechanisms by which alcohol depletes minerals and affects bone formation. These are complex and technical issues, which are beyond the scope of this book and will not be addressed.
COFFEE
In some older studies, increased coffee intake was mentioned as a minor contributor to osteoporosis; recent studies did not find any differences. It is also noteworthy that different types of coffee contain different amounts of minerals. Overall regular use of one cup of coffee per day does not seem to have any adverse effects on minerals and bone health, while high use may.
WATER WITH LOW MINERAL CONTENT
The minerals in drinking water from a municipal source or from bottled water differ. Clinical studies suggest that drinking water that is rich in bicarbonate and potassium lowered calcium excretion in the urine and bone resorption. That means bone is being better preserved. Mineral waters rich in potassium, magnesium, medium calcium and low sodium content are useful for overall health not just for bone and cardiovascular benefits. Fluids lacking in minerals may be counterproductive to health.
STRESS
Stress increases cortisol levels and also interferes with other mineral-reabsorbing hormones. This may cause increased urinary frequency, decreased mineral absorption and loss of essential minerals.
LACK OF MINERAL-RICH FOODS
Many individuals may be lacking in minerals because they do not eat foods that are rich in minerals. It is generally difficult to see the results of such mineral deficits because the clinical signs maybe vague and nonspecific. For example, some of the short term clinical signs of mineral deficiencies may be rather nonspecific, such as fatigue, appetite changes, constipation, headaches, sleep disturbances, muscle tightness and cramps, changes in menstruation and premenstrual syndromes, hair loss, skin conditions.
COURTESY: Joy Stephenson-Laws, founder Proactive Health Labs
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Available in paperback edition.
Available on iBooks and Kindle.
Available in paperback edition.
Vitamin Therapy
