Squash Email Squash is a generic name for plants in the gourd family. All of these plants have soft flesh surrounding a seeded core, and many have hard skins. Squash Vegetable There are a dazzling array of edible squashes, which fall into the categories of summer and winter squash. Winter squash is a vine plant and comes in yellow to orange colors. They take longer to mature than summer and are harvested in the fall. All squashes are equally delicious, and they have myriad uses depending on the type of squash and the goals of the cook. Members of the squash family range from the humble zucchini to the stringy spaghetti squash, two familiar examples of summer and winter squash, respectively. Squash Nutrition Though all varieties of squash are good nutrition choices, winter varieties tend to be more nutrient-dense. They generally contain much more beta-carotene and more of several vitamins B than summer squash. Summer squash (zucchini) contains vitamin C as well as beta-carotene, folate and fiber. These nutrients make summer squash a tool in preventing cancers, heart disease and diseases of inflammation such as arthritis and asthma. Butternut squash’s (winter squash) beta-carotene content even rivals that of mangoes and cantaloupe. And that’s a boon in the fight against cancer, heart disease, and cataracts. Beta-carotene may also play a role in reducing lung inflammation and emphysema. Winter squash also contain beneficial amounts vitamin C, potassium and fiber, which are just right for filling you up, not out. Zucchinis contain useful amounts of folate, potassium and vitamin a. zucchinis are also an excellent source of vitamin c. the darker the squash, the more the nutrients. With their high water content (more than 95 percent), zucchini squashes are very low in calories. Skin of the zucchini has the most nutrients. Squash helps cure asthma, as it contains Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. The vegetable is known to help prevent diseases like scurvy and bruising, caused by the deficiency of vitamin C. Regular intake of zucchini effectively lowers high homocysteine levels in the human body.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 01:44:27 +0000
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