Why baked pumpkin is useful, how to bake it in the oven

Baked pumpkin can be considered the queen of the autumn menu: low in calories and at the same time nutritious, it has a delicate effect on the stomach. In order to find out if everything is so simple with this seasonal product, it is useful to figure out what are the benefits and harms of baked pumpkin for health: what other valuable properties it hides and whether it has contraindications.

Vitamin and mineral composition of baked pumpkin

Pumpkin contains many vitamins, minerals and trace elements necessary for our body, which are so necessary for the normal functioning of all organs and systems:

Vitamins:

• A - is responsible for normal growth and development;
• C - a powerful antioxidant that helps the body absorb iron;
• T is a rare vitamin that promotes muscle development and weight maintenance;
• D, F, PP, T, E;
• B vitamins: B1 and B2.

A useful set of minerals includes: iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, cobalt, phosphorus, copper, sodium.

The fruit contains folic and nicotinic acids that affect metabolism, as well as selenium, which is known for its cancer-protective properties.

It also contains pectin and dietary fiber, which are responsible for removing toxins from the body.

The rich set of vitamins and minerals that are so necessary for both an adult and a growing body speaks in favor of including baked pumpkin in the diet of children.

How many calories are in a baked pumpkin

The calorie content of pumpkin from the oven is slightly higher compared to other methods of its heat treatment: it tends to thicken, but it is in the baked form that it is considered one of the best dietary products.

100 g of baked pumpkin contains 27 kcal, as well as:

• Protein - 1.17 g (which is 1% of the DV);
• Fat - 0.80 g (1%);
• Carbohydrates - 6.18 g (2%).

These are rather low figures, so baked pumpkin can be easily included in your diet without fear of harming your figure.

Useful properties of baked pumpkin

When baked, the vegetable does not lose its beneficial properties, and even enhances its abilities:

• strengthen the cardiovascular system thanks to potassium in its composition, which helps to prevent hypertension and other heart diseases: for this, it is enough to consume only 200 - 300 g of the product per day;
• help cleanse the kidneys and bladder: baked pumpkin can be a good prophylactic and medicinal agent against kidney stones, as well as cystitis;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• normalize the functioning of the nervous system, preventing insomnia, nervous disorders;
• as a hepatoprotector to restore liver function.

The benefits of baked pumpkin are known in the normalization of bowel function: stimulation of peristalsis and elimination of toxins.

The benefits of baked pumpkin for weight loss

Baked pumpkin is a good staple to eat during a diet, and it's not just about low calories. It contains vitamin T, which promotes better absorption of fatty and heavy foods, prevents fat deposits in different parts of the body. Due to the high content of this vitamin in the baked product, it can be used as a side dish for meat dishes.

The pumpkin diet also allows you to lose weight quickly and effectively, without harming your health. A huge plus of the dish is its versatility, organic combination with other products, which greatly helps to diversify the diet.

It is the pumpkin baked in the oven that gives the maximum benefit for losing weight: in terms of its calorie content, it is not inferior even to cabbage, which is considered the leader among dietary vegetables.

With a pumpkin mono-diet, it is allowed to consume up to 1200 kcal of the product per day, while the weight goes away smoothly and without harm to health. Adhering to this diet, you can get rid of up to 3-4 kg of excess weight in a week.

Another beneficial property of the baked vegetable for weight loss is its ability to flush out all excess water from the body, which also contributes to weight loss. In addition, the withdrawal of excess fluid from the body has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and helps to improve the complexion of the skin.

How to use baked pumpkin medicinally

The benefits of oven-baked pumpkin for the body can be a good help in taking pharmaceutical preparations, especially since organic origin excludes the risk of harm to the body. Its use can improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, relieve insomnia and stress.

The dish has the specificity of using it for different types of diseases.

With cardiovascular diseases

Useful properties of a baked vegetable for the heart and blood vessels:

The potassium contained in the fetus helps the heart to maintain a stable rhythm of work. Regular use can reduce the risk of violations of the tone of the heart muscle and also blood vessels.

Thanks to vitamin A, the manifestation of angina pectoris is reduced.

Trace elements in baked pumpkin can help lower high blood pressure.

Regular consumption of the dish helps to remove "bad" cholesterol from the body, thereby reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

The baked fruit is also beneficial for anemia due to its iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin A content, which promote blood formation.

People suffering from arrhythmia, angina pectoris and tachycardia can eat the dish without harm to health - without restrictions. The recommended minimum amount is 3 to 4 servings per week.

When treating or preventing atherosclerosis, it is necessary to consume the pulp of baked pumpkin, and when relieving hypertension, pumpkin seeds are of particular benefit.

For diseases of the bladder and kidneys

For the genitourinary system, the benefits of pumpkin are manifested in its ability to help cleanse the kidneys and bladder from the deposits of salts and stones. Baked pumpkin is able to increase urinary flow without irritating the kidney tissue. The pulp and seeds of the product are especially useful as a diuretic.

In the treatment of kidney and bladder diseases, baked peel has valuable properties. To do this, you need to cut off its top layer, divide into small pieces, bake in the oven and dry a little.

To prepare the broth, you will need about 30 tbsp. l. dried peel, and for one portion of the broth - 1 tbsp. l.

It must be poured with half a liter of water and cooked over low heat until half of the liquid has boiled out of the pan. After that, let the broth brew for about 12 hours, and then strain through cheesecloth.

The course of treatment is 30 days according to the scheme: 10 days of admission - 10 days of rest, and then another 10 days of admission.

The baked pulp can be consumed on a daily basis and also helps to get rid of the "dirt" in the kidneys.

Baked pumpkin for heavy legs and swelling

Baked pumpkin is also a good helper when used externally: it has the ability to remove heaviness and pain in the legs after long physical activity.

The recipe is simple: grind the baked pulp, and apply the warm gruel to the feet for about half an hour. The result will be elimination of fatigue, relief from pain and discomfort in the legs.

For stress and insomnia

Oven-baked pumpkin can also be a useful medicine for the nervous system: its use will help get rid of insomnia, stress, and bring mental state back to normal. To do this, take a special decoction with the addition of baked pulp and honey. The drink is regularly consumed before bedtime.

With diabetes mellitus

In this disease, there is a violation of the production of insulin - a hormone of the pancreas, which causes an increase in blood sugar.

Studies conducted at the East China Physiological University have established the beneficial properties of pumpkin in the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus - thanks to the vegetable contained in:

• antioxidants that restore pancreatic tissue;
• chiro-inositol, which stimulates insulin production.

However, not everything is so simple: baked pumpkin has the property of increasing its glycemic index, and this is a risk factor for blood sugar levels.

Caution with the product should be exercised in type 2 diabetes, when the consumption of vegetables (preferably raw) is recommended to be reduced to a minimum. And with strong decompensation, it is contraindicated to use it in any form.

The recipe for baked pumpkin for diabetes can only be used by those suffering from the first type of the disease: pumpkin sliced ​​into slices is baked in the oven on foil or parchment. A few minutes before cooking, the product can be greased with a small amount of melted butter.

How to cook baked pumpkin in the oven

Despite the simplicity of preparation, there are quite a few healthy recipes for baking pumpkin in the oven.

For classic baking you will need:

• 1 - 1.5 kg of sweet pumpkin;
• 5 tbsp. l. Sahara;
• 3 - 4 tbsp. l. butter.

Preparation:

1. First you need to wash the pumpkin well, cut it in half and remove the seeds.
2. Without peeling off the skin, cut into 5 - 7 pieces.
3. Place these pieces on a baking sheet or parchment paper and place in an oven preheated to 200 ^aboutC, for 15 - 20 minutes.
4. Cut the butter into cubes about 2x2 cm and melt in a water bath or microwave. For a water bath, put a pot of water on the fire and place a container of oil for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove the baking sheet with pumpkin from the oven, cover it with oil, sprinkle with sugar on top and, reducing the oven temperature to 180 ^aboutC, bring the dish to readiness.

Average cooking time is about one hour.

Baked pumpkin with honey recipe

The benefits of baked pumpkin with honey are quite significant: its use helps cleanse the liver and kidneys, as well as maintain immunity.

For cooking you will need:

• 400 g of fresh pumpkin, peeled and seeds;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of honey;
• 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil.

Preparation:

1. Combine vegetable oil and honey, mix thoroughly.
2. Cut the pumpkin into small pieces and roll in honey sauce.
3. Place in preheated to 180 ^aboutFrom the oven.

This dish is baked for about 40 minutes. The yield is about 2 servings.

Whole baked pumpkin

For this recipe, it is recommended to use the pumpkin as a "pot", loading it with roast or stewed vegetables - then they better retain all their useful properties and are saturated with pumpkin aroma and taste. Pumpkin is also stuffed with meat, fish, cheese or cottage cheese.

For cooking you need to take:

• 1 pumpkin;
• 400 - 500 g of chicken pulp;
• 250 g of mushrooms (champignons are best);
• 350 g potatoes;
• 1 pc. - carrots and onions;
• 1 tbsp. l. chopped greens.

Preparation:

1. Cut off the "lid" from the pumpkin - the tail and part of the fruit, remove the seeds.
2. Peel and chop carrots, potatoes and onions into cubes or strips.
3. Next, cut the chicken flesh along the fibers, and the mushrooms into slices.
4. Place the vegetable pot on a baking sheet and fill it with chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, as well as carrots and onions.
5. Add salt, pepper and spices to taste, then add a glass of hot water.
6. Cover the pumpkin pot with your own "lid" and send to the oven for about 45 - 50 minutes.
7. Sprinkle with herbs at the end.

Harm of baked pumpkin and contraindications for use

Despite all the value of baked pumpkin, there are times when benefits can turn into harm. This applies to:

• gastritis with low acidity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• intestinal colic;
• diseases of the digestive system in acute form;
• violations of acid-base balance in the body;
• duodenal ulcers.

The seeds of the fruit contain acids that harm the destruction of tooth enamel. Therefore, after consuming them, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

It is also not recommended to abuse raw pumpkin seeds during pregnancy: this can provoke premature birth.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of baked pumpkin depend on the individual needs of the body in the product and contraindications. Despite all the simplicity in preparation, the vegetable has powerful properties to influence the metabolism. However, it must be remembered that the baking process tends to increase the concentration of substances in the product and impose additional restrictions in a number of conditions of the body.