Also known as wheat melon, pumpkin, pumpkin, golden melon, fugua, rice melon, wogua and Chinese pumpkin. Pumpkin belongs to an annual creeping herb of Cucurbitaceae. Its wild ancestors originated in Mexico and Guatemala, and it was introduced to China very early, and was widely planted and eaten, so it was called "Chinese pumpkin". The pulp and seeds of pumpkin can be eaten, and so can the flowers. In China, pumpkin is both a vegetable and a substitute for food, and it is very popular in rural areas. In recent years, people have found that pumpkins can not only satisfy hunger, but also have certain dietotherapy value, so local pumpkins can be put on the table.

nutritive value

1. Pumpkin contains protein, and the content of immunoreactive protein is relatively high. Because the genotype of ascorbic acid oxidase in pumpkin is the same as that in tobacco, but its activity is higher than that in tobacco, the content of immunocompetent protein in pumpkin is relatively high.

2. Pumpkin contains many kinds of amino acids needed by human body, among which threonine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine and isoleucine are higher.

3. Pumpkin is rich in polysaccharide, which can enhance human immunity, because pumpkin polysaccharide is a non-specific immune enhancer, which can promote the production of cytokines, so it can regulate the immune system.

4. Pumpkin is rich in carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in human body, and vitamin A is an important vitamin in human body, which can protect vision, promote the growth and differentiation of epithelial tissues and promote the development of bones.

5, pumpkin contains vitamin C, and vitamin C has a strong oxidation effect, which can remove free radicals in the human body and prevent nitrate from being converted into nitrite in the human body, and nitrite is a carcinogen.

6. Pumpkins are also rich in pectin. After pectin enters the stomach, it can adjust the absorption speed of food in the stomach and reduce the absorption of sugar. Moreover, because pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber, dietary fiber will not be digested and absorbed by human body, but will stay in the stomach for a long time, delaying the emptying of food in the stomach and controlling the rise of blood sugar.

7. Pectin in pumpkin will combine with excess cholesterol in human body, thus reducing the absorption of cholesterol by human body, thus reducing the cholesterol content in blood, that is, lowering blood lipid.

8. Pumpkin is rich in trace elements, especially cobalt, which is the highest in all vegetables. Cobalt can promote human metabolism, is also a mineral needed by islet cells, can promote hematopoietic function and promote the synthesis of vitamin B 12.

Edible efficacy

1. Detoxification: It contains vitamins and pectin, has good adsorption, can combine and eliminate bacterial toxins and other harmful substances in the body, such as lead, mercury and radioactive elements in heavy metals, and can play a detoxification role.

2, protect the gastric mucosa, help digestion: the pectin contained in pumpkin can also protect the gastric mucosa, avoid the stimulation of rough food, promote ulcer healing, and is suitable for patients with gastric diseases. Pumpkin contains ingredients that can promote bile secretion, strengthen gastrointestinal peristalsis and help food digestion.

3. Prevent diabetes and lower blood sugar: Pumpkin is rich in cobalt, which can activate human metabolism, promote hematopoietic function and participate in the synthesis of vitamin B 12 in human body. It is an essential trace element for human islet cells and has special effects on preventing diabetes and lowering blood sugar.

4. Elimination of carcinogens: Pumpkin can eliminate the mutation of nitrosamine, which is a carcinogen, has the function of preventing cancer, and can help the recovery of liver and kidney functions and enhance the regeneration ability of liver and kidney cells.

5. Promote growth and development: Pumpkin is rich in zinc and participates in the synthesis of nucleic acid and protein in human body. It is an inherent component of adrenocortical hormone and an important substance for human growth and development.