The Benefits Of Zucchini
March 13, 2009
Although zucchini is a member of the squash family, it elongated body bears a stronger resemblance to a cucumber than an acorn squash. Instead of a hard shell the zucchini has a thick, edible peel. When the zucchini is ripe, the peel will be dark green.
The zucchini has always been a popular choice among gardeners. The squash is easy to grow, harvest and store, and is very healthy. The zucchini has a sweet yet tangy flavor that appeals to most palettes.
There are a variety of ways to prepare zucchini, and a ton of best recipes that are enhanced by the versatile squash. When cooking zucchini, don’t remove the dark green skin.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Research indicates that one of the benefits of zucchini is the lowering of homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that the body produces naturally. Low levels of homocysteine are fine, but recent studies suggest that people who have elevated homocysteine levels are more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than a person with moderate levels of homocysteine. Women with a high level of homocysteine are more likely to have a miscarriage.
Lutein and Vitamin C
Zucchinis are rich in Vitamin C and lutein. Lutein is a type of protein the body needs to maintain good ocular health. Eating zucchini and other foods that are high in lutein decreases the chances of you developing cataracts, macular degeneration and other vision problems.
The lutein in zucchini can also prevent your artery walls from thickening, lessening the chances of you having a heart attack.
People who bruise easily should seriously think about eating more zucchini. The vegetable’s vitamin C makes the skin stronger and less prone to bruises. Eating zucchini will also prevent you from contracting diseases commonly associated with a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is an excellent way to control asthma.
In addition to lutein and vitamin C, a zucchini is also an excellent source for potassium, vitamin A and folate.
Control Your Appetite
Zucchini is an excellent choice when you are trying to lose weight. A medium sized zucchini is only about 25 calories. The high moisture content in zucchini makes it an excellent appetite suppressant.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!