Zucchini belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae and is commonly known as courgette. Some knew it as a vegetable, but botanically it belongs to fruit classification available in diverse varieties and colors in dark green and deep yellow. It originates in America, but the very first variety come from Italy during the 1800s. Health benefits of zucchini have been utilized as a folk medicine to treat common colds, body aches, and different health conditions.
1. Zucchini is loaded with Nutrients
Zucchini is one of the richest plants in terms of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. This veggie is a good option for people who want to lose weight because it only has 17 grams of calories and less than 1 gram of fat. Most chefs use it as an excellent and tasting substitute for pasta. Zucchini benefits eye health because of the vitamin A content. Cooked zucchini still offers the same amount of nutrition than raw, but less than vitamin A and C as these nutrients are reduced when subjected to heat.
2. Zucchini is high in Antioxidant
What made zucchini nutrition special is that it is blessed with lots of antioxidants from plant compounds. One of the plant compounds beneficial to health is carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene. These plant compounds are useful for healthy eyes, skin, and heart to prevent diverse diseases, plus it can also give protection against different types of cancer.
Some researches show that it is the plant’s skin that is packed with more antioxidants because of its pigment. That is why the light green zucchini may have more nutrients compared to yellow type zucchinis.
3. Zucchini is Good for Digestion
Eating this fruit provide normal functioning of the digestive system in different ways. For people suffering from constipation, zucchini consumption is good for you because of its water content plus the soluble and insoluble fiber to give bulk to the stool and the water to soften it to easily pass out.
The soluble fiber content of zucchini benefits the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Aside from that, friendly bacteria in the gut can aid in producing short-chain fatty acids that serve as nourishment in gut cells.
4. Zucchini Reduces Sugar
One of the health benefits of zucchini is for people with type 2 diabetes. Zucchini is an excellent addition to a low carb diet because it only contains 3 grams of carb per 232 gm of cooked zucchini. Zucchini pasta can replace your traditional pasta as you can slice it thinly to resemble pasta. A diet that is low in carbohydrates can cut the sugar level and insulin, thus keeping blood sugar level in the blood at a normal level reducing the need for medication in patients who have type 2 diabetes.
Fiber is an essential medium for increased insulin sensitivity, leading to a more stable blood sugar level.
5. Zucchini for Heart Health
Zucchini nutrition comes from its fiber content. There are different observational studies done that support the claim in fiber’s effectiveness to lower the risk of heart diseases. The pectin found in zucchini fiber is known to reduce the level of LDL or bad cholesterol.
A review analysis of 76 studies found out that consumption of 2 to 10 grams of soluble fiber every day for two months may reduce the total cholesterol count by 1.7 mg/dl, and the bad cholesterol is reduced to 2.2 mg/dl.
6. Zucchini for Healthy EyeSight
For precise and healthy eyesight throughout your lifetime, zucchini is good for you to maintain a healthy vision. What made it more beneficial for the eyes is the presence of vitamin A, C, and antioxidant zeaxanthins and lutein, proven by science to provide benefits to the retina. It can also prevent macular degeneration that can lead to total blindness in the elderly.
7. Zucchini for Weight Loss
Zucchini benefits those who are overweight and obese individuals who need to lose weight. Please take advantage of zucchini nutrition as it is low in calories and high in water content that can make you feel full, thus decreasing the urge to eat.
