Introduction
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Nowadays, people are paying more attention to food pairing because combining some foods with others can increase nutrition, while pairing with other foods may harm health. Therefore, in daily life, we must pay attention to the pairing of foods to ensure good health.
Nutritional Components of Pumpkin
Every 100 grams of pumpkin contains 0.57 milligrams of beta-carotene, 0.6 grams of protein, 1.1 grams of dietary fiber, 5.3 grams of carbohydrates, 0.13 grams of fat, 0.7 milligrams of nicotinic acid, 33 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.8 milligrams of iron, 0.2 milligrams of riboflavin, 6 milligrams of ascorbic acid, etc.
It also contains rich nutrients such as glucose, cucurbitacin, cucurbitin, arginine, pectin, adenine, mannitol, etc.
Is Pumpkin Warm or Cold in Nature?
Pumpkin is neither warm nor cold but neutral. Pumpkin is warm and sweet, can warm the body, tonify the liver, and restore vitality. However, as pumpkin is a warm food, excessive consumption can have negative health effects, easily leading to symptoms of excessive internal heat in the body.
Therefore, it is not suitable for patients with heat-related diseases. Additionally, pumpkin contains vitamins and pectin, with the pectin having good adsorption properties that can eliminate bacterial toxins and other substances in the body, acting as a detoxifier.
The 5 Benefits of Eating Pumpkin Regularly that You Don’t Want to Miss
1. Heart Protection
Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that increasing dietary fiber intake can help heart disease patients live longer. Each additional 10 grams of dietary fiber intake per day is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease mortality.
Regular consumption of pumpkin can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and heart problems, as well as help reduce weight and lower blood lipid levels.
2. Boost Immunity
Pumpkin contains rich proteins and pectin substances, which can enhance immunity and resistance, especially the pumpkin polysaccharides.
The enzyme activity of ascorbate oxidase is very high in pumpkin, which can protect the bioactivity of immune proteins well, regulate immunity effectively, and enhance personal immune function.
3. Blood Nourishment and Skin Beautification
Pumpkin contains rich cobalt elements, which not only accelerate the formation of hemoglobin but also help in the functioning of the body’s hematopoietic system, thereby enhancing red blood cells.
Since ancient times, pumpkin has been known as a blood-nourishing delicacy. The Qing Dynasty physician, Chen Xiuyuan, referred to pumpkin as a “wonderful blood-nourishing ingredient,” while the “Compendium of Materia Medica” describes pumpkin as a food that “nourishes the middle and benefits qi.”
4. Blood Sugar Regulation
Pumpkin contains a high content of cobalt elements, which can effectively activate the body’s metabolism, thus promoting hematopoiesis.
Moreover, cobalt elements can participate in the synthesis of vitamin B12 in the body, which is essential for pancreatic insulin cells. It is beneficial in preventing and treating diabetes, as well as delaying the rise in postprandial blood sugar, aiding in blood sugar regulation.
5. Alleviating Constipation
Constipation is a common digestive issue that many people experience. However, people often do not consider constipation as a significant problem.
Constipation can cause abdominal bloating, difficulty in passing stools, and discomfort. If not alleviated promptly, constipation can lead to other health issues such as gastrointestinal diseases, hemorrhoids, etc. To alleviate and improve constipation, in addition to eating bananas, it is also necessary to consume pumpkin in moderation.
6 Major Foods that are Incompatible with Pumpkin, Avoid Eating Together, Don’t Overlook!
1. Crab
Pumpkin is rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, which have excellent antioxidant and immunostimulating effects but are incompatible with crabs.
Crabs contain a lot of protein and vitamin B2, and when they encounter the vitamin C in pumpkin, a chemical reaction occurs, reducing the vitamin C content and affecting absorption in the body. It is therefore best not to combine pumpkin and crabs in meals.
2. Lamb
Both pumpkin and lamb are heat-inducing foods and eating them together may lead to bloating, constipation, and other conditions. Individuals with infections and fever symptoms should avoid eating them to prevent worsening of their condition.
3. Black Fungus
Black fungus is a common ingredient paired with pumpkin, but in reality, these two are incompatible. Pumpkin is a cold-nature food, while black fungus is cool in nature. Consuming both simultaneously can disrupt the body’s digestion, leading to discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea.
4. Peanuts
Peanuts are incompatible with pumpkin, so it is advisable to avoid consuming them together. Since pumpkin contains a significant amount of polysaccharides, simultaneous consumption with peanuts may result in indigestion, leading to discomfort such as diarrhea and bloating.
Additionally, peanuts have high fat content, and if consumed together with fiber-rich pumpkin, it may affect intestinal absorption and digestion, leading to discomfort such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
To ensure optimal absorption and utilization of nutrients, and to reduce symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, it is best to avoid consuming pumpkin and peanuts together.
5. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most common leafy green vegetables in daily life, rich in iron, beneficial for blood and helps alleviate iron-deficiency anemia. It has positive effects on health.
However, spinach is incompatible with pumpkin, and it is not recommended to consume them together. Pumpkin contains a vitamin C decomposing enzyme. When consumed with spinach, it can not only destroy the vitamin C in spinach but also reduce the nutritional value of pumpkin itself.
6. Celery
Celery is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, E, carbohydrates, etc., which can help clear heat, detoxify, and soothe the liver and reduce dryness. However, these components are antagonistic to the same components in pumpkin.
Although consuming them together does not produce toxic substances, it can result in the generation of a large amount of gas, leading to discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea.
Additional Reading – Can Pumpkin Seeds be Eaten?
The pumpkin seeds in pumpkins are generally edible and have many benefits for the human body. The phosphorus, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and other nutrients in pumpkin seeds can nourish the gums and alveolar bone, preventing gum recession.
Furthermore, pumpkin seeds are rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, and other trace elements. However, to avoid gaining weight, one should control their intake.
Conclusion: Although pumpkin is a nutritious ingredient, it is incompatible with certain foods. To ensure good health, we should avoid consuming pumpkin with these foods. By correctly pairing foods, we can make our diet healthier and our bodies stronger.
