Health and Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin soup for skin

For most people, a bowl of hearty pumpkin soup is primarily known as comfort food. But did you know that pumpkin soup is also considered a superfood? This orange fruit is high in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Pumpkins also have a long history as a famous food for humans. Over thousands of years, this large fruit has been cultivated and enjoyed with gusto. Pumpkin was primarily consumed in South America and Central, but since the sixteenth century, it has become a part of the European diet. Since pumpkin is famously known among the people and besides being delicious it is also healthy. In this blog, we’ll outline the proven health benefits of pumpkin soup and explain which nutrients are responsible for these benefits. 

What nutrients make pumpkin soup so healthy?

Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family that includes watermelons, zucchinis, and cucumbers among others. As pumpkins come in several types, some of them are edible and others are not. An average pumpkin includes about 94 percent making it not a calorie bomb. Around 250-milliliter serving of pure pumpkin soup has 78 calories. However, pumpkin is rich in several healthy nutrients. Some of these types of carotenoids found in pumpkins become more absorbable when it is cooked. Along with the soup you can also consume energy bars through which you will attain a proper set of nutrients. These bars have all the essential ingredients that will help in enhancing your energy and you can take your workout to the next level. 

Benefits of Consuming Pumpkin Soup

1) Pumpkin Soup is healthy for your Skin

Pumpkin Soup boosts your immunity, and Vitamin A in pumpkin soup also has several benefits for your skin. Research suggests that vitamin A contributes to the skin’s regenerative capacity, helping to maintain the normal structure and function of your skin. Regularly consuming pumpkin soup is a contribution to moisturizing your skin from the inside out. Also, Vitamin C has more functions than just supporting your immune system. One of the critical roles is to help your body neutralize free radicals. These are unstable substances that can damage healthy tissues and cells, a condition which is also known as oxidative damage. 

However, external factors like UV radiation and air pollution will promote the formation of these free radicals. By getting enough antioxidants such as vitamin C in your diet, you can help protect your skin from the inside against the sun. This antioxidant is well known for its protective effects against sunlight. Also, Vitamins A, C, and E form an ideal combination to keep your skin healthy which is why pumpkin soup can almost be called a beauty food.  

2) Pumpkin Soup increases your iron absorption

The generous amount of Vitamin A and C that are found in pumpkin soup affects the iron levels in your blood. As vitamin A is beneficial for the iron metabolism in your blood while Vitamin C influences the absorption of iron in your blood. Iron is included in the development of red blood cells and hemoglobin in your body, contributing to the normal transport of oxygen in your body. Vitamin A and C helps in promoting the absorption of iron from your diet and they may also help in increasing the iron levels in your blood. 

3) Pumpkin Soup is good for your vision

You must have heard someone in your family saying that eating carrots is good for your eyes and that is true and the same applies to consuming pumpkin soup. Both pumpkins and carrots have a bright orange color that is caused by the carotenoids that are present in both. Vitamin A is also known for its support of your vision. It also improves your vision so that you see clearly in the dark and maintains the normal moisture balance in your eyes. 

4) Pumpkin Soup supports your brain 

Pumpkin soup contributes to your various brain functions. The vitamins among other things will enhance your concentration and learning abilities. So, be sure to enjoy a delicious bowl of pumpkin soup when studying for an important exam during a hectic workday.

5) Pumpkin soup for your heart and blood vessels

Pumpkin Soup is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 and is convenient because this vitamin will support your heart’s function. Moreover, the ample amount of potassium in pumpkin soup will help in maintaining your blood pressure and vitamin C contributes to the preservation of flexible and strong blood vessels. Altogether these three nutrients form a nice combination to offer extra support for your heart and blood vessels.

6) Pumpkin Soup supports your energy metabolism

Have you ever noticed that the pumpkin soup is often fibrous and the vitamins B1 and C in pumpkin soup will boost your energy metabolism and it will support your energy levels? 

Make it Yourself: An antioxidant-rich pumpkin soup recipe is an excellent way to benefit from the several health benefits of pumpkin soup. Preparing pumpkin can be a bit of a task but fresh pumpkin soup is generally richer in healthy nutrients than store-bought pumpkin soup. Also, it tastes better and you will find a much easier recipe for the pumpkin soup with antioxidant-rich additions like bell pepper, tomato, and various spices. 

How can you make your pumpkin soup?

In addition to pumpkin, this recipe also has other other healthy ingredients. This particularly enhances the already impressive amount of antioxidants in pumpkin soup. Also, sweet potato offers extra beta-carotene and a creamier texture, Cooked tomatoes also have abundant antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E.

There is plenty of vitamin C in bell peppers and so, this soup is a perfect supporter for your immune system. Ingredients such as garlic, onions, and cinnamon, chili powder also contribute to the nutritional value. Black pepper helps your body absorb beta-carotene and cucumber from turmeric. This will help in improving the absorption of beta-carotene and cooking and pureeing your pumpkin for this soup will enhance the absorption of this nutrient. That is how you can make a healthy soup.  

With the easy recipe, you can approx make about 4 servings of fresh pumpkin soup. Also, you can freeze a portion for later if you like, and is an excellent way to naturally preserve valuable nutrients. 

Ingredients

500 grams of Organic Pumpkin

400 grams of Tomatoes

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 Sweet Potato

2 Onions

2 cloves of Garlic

¼ teaspoon of Chili Powder

¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper

¼  teaspoon of Organic Paprika Powder

¼  teaspoon of Cinnamon

1 liter of water

Himalayan Salt/Sea Salt for Taste

How to Prepare:

1) Peel and chop the Onions.

2) Peel and Finely Chop the Garlic.

3) Rinse the pumpkin and cut it in half and remove the seeds.

4) Cut the pumpkin into small cubes.

5) Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges.

6) Boil 1 liter of water.

7) Toss the onions and garlic in some oil.

8) Add the garlic, onions, and bell pepper to the boiling water.

9) When the pumpkin is almost soft enough to puree then add the tomatoes.

10) Puree the mixture until you attain the thick soup without the lumps. 

11) Do not let the soup boil anymore but you can keep it hot on low heat.

12) Now, add turmeric, chili powder and paprika powder.

13) Season with pepper and salt  or herbal salt.

14) Add a splash of olive oil. 

15) Now you can enjoy this nutritious soup. 

Pumpkin benefits for Skin and Hair care 

1) Oily Skin- Mix a tablespoon of pumpkin puree and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to make a face pack, apply this to the moist face and leave it on for up to 30 minutes or until it dries. You can rinse with lukewarm water and then cold water and apply moisture that is suitable for specific skin types. 

2) Dry Skin- You can blend pumpkin puree with milk, honey, and heavy cream for dry skin, apply evenly to the face, and leave it for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. This skin is moisturized and exfoliated by this mask. Also, apply a moisturizer after rinsing with warm water, riboflavin, B6 and folate are a few of the vitamins B that are abundant in pumpkin.

Niacin will help in reducing inflammation and is therefore effective in treating acne. Furthermore, folate promotes circulation and enhances cell regeneration. The presence of antioxidant qualities of pumpkin will also help in healing acne.

3) For Healthier Hair

In addition to the advantages of skincare, pumpkin’s high nutritional value also renders numerous advantages for hair, and for optimal growth and health hair follicles require a sufficient amount of nutrients. Pumpkin Seed Oil is well known to promote hair development by enhancing blood circulation.

How to utilize pumpkin in a diet?

Pumpkins can be cooked in several ways but they will make a terrific addition when added to both savoury desserts and dishes. Pumpkin Puree, Nut butter, and warm spices are a blend to prepare a creamy and protein-rich pumpkin pie smooth for a delectable snack or breakfast. Also, it is delicious that one can fall in love with the preparation of these dishes.

Wrapping It Up

Pumpkin soups are a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients and it is rich in vitamin A which will help in improving eyesight. Also, it is low calorie so it will help you lose weight while keeping you full longer. Many people also think of pumpkins as little more than a Halloween decoration. Furthermore, it might be time to rethink this as a nutritious orange vegetable from the squash family. It is because the soups are considered a powerhouse of all kinds of vitamins, proteins, and minerals that will promote better gut health and a good boost to your overall health.