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What are the functions and benefits of pumpkin?

Sep 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main functions and benefits of pumpkin include supplementing vitamins, promoting digestion, providing energy, protecting vision, and assisting in blood sugar regulation. Pumpkin can be consumed in various ways, such as steaming, boiling, roasting, or mashing. Pumpkin has a warm nature, and excessive consumption may cause bloating; therefore, intake should be controlled. Patients with diabetes should reduce consumption of other staple foods accordingly when eating pumpkin.

Generally speaking, the main functions and benefits of pumpkin include supplementing vitamins, promoting digestion, providing energy, protecting vision, and assisting in regulating blood sugar levels. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Supplementing Vitamins

Pumpkin is rich in various vitamins such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A after entering the body, meeting the body's needs for these vitamins. These vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes. Consuming pumpkin in moderation helps supplement essential nutrients.

2. Promoting Digestion

Pumpkin contains abundant dietary fiber and pectin. Dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility and increases stool volume, while pectin can adsorb harmful substances in the intestines and protect the intestinal mucosa. For individuals experiencing indigestion or difficulty in defecation, moderate consumption of pumpkin can help improve the intestinal environment, promote digestion, and aid in waste elimination.

3. Providing Energy

Pumpkin contains carbohydrates, including starch and small amounts of sugars, which can be converted into energy in the body, providing power for daily activities. It is especially suitable as a supplementary ingredient for staple food, as it not only increases satiety but also continuously supplies energy to the body, making it suitable for daily consumption by all groups of people.

4. Protecting Vision

Beta-carotene in pumpkin is an important component of retinal photoreceptor substances and helps maintain normal retinal function. Moderate consumption of pumpkin can help protect vision and relieve eye fatigue by supplementing beta-carotene, especially for conditions such as blurred vision and night blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency.

5. Assisting in Regulating Blood Sugar

The pectin in pumpkin can delay the absorption rate of sugar from food, preventing rapid post-meal blood sugar spikes. At the same time, the dietary fiber it contains also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. For individuals needing to control their blood sugar, moderate consumption of pumpkin, combined with a balanced diet, can play a supportive role in blood sugar management.

When consuming pumpkin, it can be steamed, boiled, baked, or made into pumpkin puree in various forms. Pumpkin has a warm nature, and excessive consumption may cause bloating, so intake should be controlled. Diabetic patients should reduce the intake of other staple foods accordingly when consuming pumpkin to avoid excessive total carbohydrate intake and ensure a balanced diet.

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