Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

It’s that time of the year when there is pumpkin EVERYTHING!  Pumpkin beverages, candles, decorations, breads, cookies, and of course, the actual pumpkins themselves.  Though this onslaught of orange is typically associated with a few months in autumn, it turns out pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin oil are actually valuable foods that can give health benefits year-round!

While modern medicine has vastly increased the available treatments for many diseases and conditions, it remains vital to have a nutritious diet.  Synthetic drugs often have side effects and can cause dangerous interactions if mixed with others or lead to the development of allergic reactions and/or drug resistance.

By contrast, herbal medicines and formulas are generally safe, widely available and affordableResearchers report that as a general rule, “herbal drugs are considered frequently less toxic with limited side effects compared with synthetic drugs.”

As a result of rising costs/availability of synthetic medications and the need for safer drugs, much attention is being turned toward these medicinal herbs and foods as a source of disease prevention and treatment.  There is a desire to understand how these substances affect the body and determine what their appropriate dosage ranges are so they can be used widely in a safe manner.

Enter the pumpkin.

While pumpkin is already used in several countries for its medicinal properties, a 2022 study published in the periodical, Plants, reconfirmed its benefits, stating that “considering that pumpkin is a good source of nutrients, it may be regarded as nutraceutical” and added that “healthy eating is a reasonable and economical method to treat diseases.”

A review published by the Cambridge University Press in 2010 highlights the pumpkin’s benefits in this way:

  • Most important part – the seed. Why?  It is both protein-rich and low in fat.
  • 2nd most important part – it’s fruit. Why? Versatile in its usage, (can be cooked as a vegetable or used to make sweet treats and beverages), it has “good β-carotene content and has a moderate content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.”
  • Also important: edible oil from the seeds. Why?  It is rich in oleic acid

Taking a deeper dive, we see that the pumpkin contains several active components that are beneficial for health.  Pumpkin provides protein, β-carotene, fixed oils, sterols, peptides, carotenoids and γ-aminobutyric acid.  It also contains useful amounts of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, as well as high proportions of essential amino acids and a relatively large amount of various essential micro-elements such as Potassium, Chromium, Sodium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium.

As seen in the chart below, these components, along with others found in the pumpkin leaves, fruit pulp and seeds, have shown to have multiple health benefits

 

Pumpkin and Diabetes

While some in the traditional healing profession have long touted the benefits of pumpkin juice for non-insulin-dependent diabetes, recent research continues to reveal connections between pumpkin and the effects of diabetes on our health.

For example, The Cambridge Review reported a study that revealed pumpkin had “acute hypoglycaemic activity (blood sugar lowering)” in drug induced diabetic rabbits and type 2 diabetic patients.  They also included another study that showed pumpkin to have hypoglycaemic activity similar to a standard diabetic medication when given to healthy animals with temporary hyperglycaemia and in mild diabetic animals.  However, the same study showed this did not work for severe diabetic animals.

Another study they reviewed isolated a compound (protein-bound polysaccharide from pumpkin fruits or BPP).  This substance was found to increase levels of insulin, reduce blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance in animals.  The researchers conducting the review stated that while more research is needed to determine exactly how the components found in pumpkin work to improve blood sugar, the combined findings are enough to prove “that pumpkin has potential anti-diabetic properties, which may suggest the inclusion of this plant in anti-diabetic regimens to treat human diabetes.”

This sentiment was echoed by another group of researchers in a study published in the journal, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. The study focused on pumpkin seeds and three specific compounds found therein. They reported that pumpkin fruit pulp, oil from ungerminated seeds, and protein from germinated seeds contain chemicals that have hypoglycemic properties significant enough that they “could assist in maintaining glycemic control.”  In turn, this could help lower the risk of kidney damage among diabetics.

Pumpkin and Antioxidants

“Antioxidant” has become a nutrition buzz word due to its superpower like impact on fighting free radicals.  But more than a passing fad, they are important compounds that can have significant impact on health.

The Cambridge Review researchers point out that an “imbalance between the level of pro-oxidants and antioxidants,” where the pro-oxidants are more plentiful, can create oxidative stress.  This type of stress “has been considered as a hallmark” of several chronic conditions.  Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer are among the conditions that can be the result of oxidative stress, demonstrating the need for a healthy intact of antioxidants.

Pumpkin has been found by researchers to be high in antioxidants.  Specifically, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil are high in Vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin.  Additionally, pumpkin fruit extract has been shown to have a cell-protecting action and reduce specific compounds associated with oxidative stress in animal studies.

Pumpkin and Cancer

Over the last several decades, there have been many discoveries and improvements in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.  In general, it has been found that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risk of cancer, but pumpkin in particular has been found to help prevent certain types.

High pumpkin seed consumption may lead to a lower risk of gastric, breast, lung and colorectal cancers.  The pumpkin fruit has also been linked to prostate cancer prevention.

Animal studies have pointed to reduced tumor weight, inhibition of the growth of certain leukemia cells, and inhibition of the growth of certain melanoma cells.  The 2022 study went so far as to state “the risk of several types of cancer, such as breast, rectal, and lung cancer is inversely proportional to pumpkin seeds intake.”

The study authors note that more research is needed as there are some controversies regarding pumpkin and cancer. They report on a study that demonstrated “boiled pumpkin juice significantly suppressed the incidence of aberrant cells while fresh pumpkin juice enhanced it”.  Due to the many positive reports, they suggest additional research to determine a dosage and method of preparing the fruit (e.g., seeds, juice, oils, fresh, boiled, etc.) for maximum benefit without risk of toxicity.

Pumpkin and Disease

There are innumerable variations of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites that can lead to disease, disability and/or death.  While modern medicine has developed medications to treat many of them, there is the increasing issue of drug resistance.   A number of broad-spectrum anti-microbial and anti-fungal components have been found in pumpkin.  A new protein, Pr-1, that was isolated from pumpkin, is a thermostable protein that may have significant anti-fungal properties without toxicity to human blood cells.  The research has been sufficient for researchers to state: “By considering these facts, it is of great importance that those living in developing countries be encouraged to consume pumpkin, as it protects against organisms that cause infectious diseases in these regions of the world.”

Pumpkin and Aging

It is commonly accepted that growing children have different nutritional needs from adults.  However, it is also true that needs change again in later life.  The 2022 study reports of the “Modified Food Guide Pyramid” that was proposed in 1999 for adults 70 and older.  The recommendations included nutrient-dense foods, whole fiber-rich food, and water.

Deeply colored fruits and vegetables were suggested to help meet these needs of the elderly.  The pumpkin family of foods not only meet these criteria, but they also having soft textures and are easily digestible.  The antioxidative effects may also help reduce damage associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

More Potential Medicinal Uses for Pumpkin

  • Pumpkin is a good source of anti-inflammatory substances.
  • Pumpkin seed oil may help lower blood pressure on its own and when taken together, may help hypotensive drugs work better.
  • Supplementation of pumpkin seed may reduce the risk of bladder stone disease.
  • Pumpkin seeds raise serotonin levels in the brain which may ease depression.
  • Pumpkin peel contains substances that support the growth of gut microbiota.
  • Pumpkin may play a beneficial role in treating liver dysregulation.
  • Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) supplementation may combat negative effects of aspartame and protect the liver.
  • Ground pumpkin meal may help lower LDL cholesterol level and increases the HDL level.
  • Pumpkin seeds have been shown to have anti-ulcerative properties.
  • Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin peel may positively affect wound healing.

 Conclusion

Reviewing the findings highlighted in this article, it is encouraging to note the many ways the pumpkin could positively impact both the treatment of varied illness as well as overall health and wellness. Cambridge researchers point out pumpkin as a food can be included in regular diet and may have numerous health benefits.  Once considered “agricultural waste” pumpkin seeds are now known to be highly nutritious.  This is noted by the 2022 study researchers, who suggest the seeds may play a significant role in the food supply as they are safe to eat daily with no negative impact on human health.

In light of the benefits found for significantly higher levels of pumpkin consumption in studies done in a controlled environment, such as a test tube or petri dish or in animals, the Cambridge researchers suggest “controlled clinical trials are strongly needed to confirm these health-beneficial effects in human subjects.”

With so many components that can benefit our health, it’s easy to see the humble pumpkin as more than a decoration or spice to flavor our coffee or pie.  Why not celebrate this nutritious food in our diet throughout the year?  (Pumpkin nachos anyone?)  This good-for-you gourd could have health benefits that last much longer than the autumn season!

 

RESOURCES:

Batool M, Ranjha MMAN, Roobab U, Manzoor MF, Farooq U, Nadeem HR, Nadeem M, Kanwal R, AbdElgawad H, Al Jaouni SK, Selim S, Ibrahim SA. Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.). Plants (Basel). 2022 May 24;11(11):1394. doi: 10.3390/plants11111394. PMID: 35684166; PMCID: PMC9182978.

Gary G. Adams, Shahwar Imran, Sheng Wang, Abubaker Mohammad, M. Samil Kok, David A. Gray, Guy A. Channell & Stephen E. Harding (2014) The Hypoglycemic Effect of Pumpkin Seeds, Trigonelline (TRG), Nicotinic Acid (NA), and D-Chiro-inositol (DCI) in Controlling Glycemic Levels in Diabetes Mellitus, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 54:10, 1322-1329, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2011.635816

Kostecka-Gugała A, Kruczek M, Ledwożyw-Smoleń I, Kaszycki P. Antioxidants and Health-Beneficial Nutrients in Fruits of Eighteen Cucurbita Cultivars: Analysis of Diversity and Dietary Implications. Molecules. 2020 Apr 14;25(8):1792. doi: 10.3390/molecules25081792. PMID: 32295156; PMCID: PMC7221643.

Yadav, M., Jain, S., Tomar, R., Prasad, G., & Yadav, H. (2010). Medicinal and biological potential of pumpkin: An updated review. Nutrition Research Reviews, 23(2), 184-190. doi:10.1017/S0954422410000107