1. Weight Loss

Surprisingly, considering that it’s so high in fiber, pumpkin is an extremely low-calorie vegetable. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains a mere 49 calories, but you will feel satisfied for longer due to the fiber content. This aids in weight loss, because you’ll stay full for longer without having to digest a lot of calories. Furthermore, pumpkin is fat free!

2. Digestive Health

As we established previously, pumpkin is rich in fiber, which means it’s incredibly beneficial for the general well-being of your digestive system. In addition, it can be used as a home remedy for constipation. A single cup will make up roughly 11% of your daily recommended dose of fiber.

4. Iron

There is a fair amount of iron in pumpkins, which is particularly important if you are a vegetarian or vegan. You need iron because it it is one of the key components of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to different parts of your body. Iron deficiency can seriously affect your health, as well as deteriorate your mental capabilities and resistance to infection and disease. As such, it’s absolutely imperative to ensure you’re getting enough. One cup of pumpkin has just under 10% of your daily iron requirements.

6. Cancer Prevention

There’s a reason that pumpkins are that bright orange color, and it’s definitely not just for show! Like its other orange vegetable counterparts, pumpkins contains an antioxidant called beta-carotene. In addition to providing pumpkin with its distinct color, beta-carotene may also help prevent cancer, as tests have shown. Make sure you keep those seeds too, though, because studies have also shown that the plant sterols in them may also help fight off different kinds of cancer.

8. Bone and Heart Health

Just in case you haven’t had enough nutrients, pumpkin is also rich in vitamin K. Comparatively, this seems to be a lesser-known nutrient, but it’s incredibly important for your health. This is because it helps your bones to grow and keep your heart healthy. Luckily, a cup of pumpkin will provide you with 20% of your recommended daily dose.