Squash: for your health

Pumpkins and squash dishes are not just for family, holiday dinners anymore. 

New studies indicate that squash could be an important part of your healthy diet as reported in a UPI release.

“Squash includes both winter and summer varieties, some examples include, zucchini from the summer and butternut, buttercup, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha from winter,” Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said in a statement.

Although squash is mostly starchy carbohydrates, studies show it also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties.  Squash is classified as a fruit, but many consider it a vegetable for cooking/meal purposes.  

Squash contains vitamin C, potassium, fiber, manganese and folate, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and copper.   Sqaush also contains carotenoids, including lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin, which give many squash its signature orange color and are good for eye health.

Even though it taste best in a pie with whipped topping or ice cream, for full health benefits you might consider baked squash, or sautéed or diced squash on a salad through the rest of the year.

For your better health,
Dr. Heller 



Image courtesy of nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net