9 Surprising Health Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini health benefits includes supporting weight loss, takes care of cardiovascular system, helps cure asthma, helps improve digestion, helps maintain eye health, helps in the formation of collagen, and slows down aging. Other benefits includes strengthening bones and teeth and supporting pregnancy.

What is Zucchini?

A fun fact, vegetables and I have never been the best of friends. Be it Broccoli or Kale, the sight of such vegetables make you lose your appetite. That being said, even I can’t deny the numerous benefits vegetables come loaded with.  Zucchini, another green vegetable which is also referred as Courgette looks similar to a cucumber. If not cooked perfectly, it tastes bland. Let us go over a few health benefits of Zucchini before we make up our mind to skip dinner when our mums cook it next.

9 Surprising Health Benefits of Zucchini

1. Helps In Weight Loss

Calling all those genuinely obese, weight conscious people out there, if you’re tired of trying different weight loss diets yet having no significant results, don’t give up just yet because I’ve got a straightforward solution for you. Zucchini is a low starch vegetable having minimal amounts of calories making it a much-preferred part of the diet. It even contains high fiber and water contents which makes burning fat off much easier.

People normally gain weight because they feel hungry almost immediately after consuming a meal. Since Zucchini is a low glycemic food, it leaves you full for the longest hours and stabilizes your consumption patterns. As proven by nutritionists, consuming fruits and vegetables is a healthy way of weight reduction

2. Takes Care Of Your Cardiovascular System

Zucchini is low in cholesterol, fat, and sodium but has good amounts of potassium which are the basic requirements for heart health. The abundant amounts of vitamin folate and magnesium helps eliminate and break down amino acids like homocysteine; notably reducing the risks of high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.

3. Helps Cure Asthma

While growing up, I suffered from Asthma for six years. It’s safe to say my body underwent every trial and error treatment for Asthma when fortunately somebody recommended my mother, the never-ending beneficial Zucchini. Since then, my respiratory system has been in check. Zucchini is a good source of Vitamin C and Copper. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good fighting agent against respiratory problems; keeping the lungs clear and open.

4. Helps Improve Digestion

Summer squashes like Zucchini help maintain the digestive system. Ever had constipation or bloating after a weekend trip with friends? Consuming high amounts of carbohydrates can result in preventing the digestive from working smoothly. If your body doesn’t get the required amounts of fiber to ensure proper excretion, it can lead to rather problematic syndromes if not treated soon.

Containing essential nutrients and electrolytes, it protects the human body from anti-inflammatory problems. Also, as discussed above, the high water content acts as a natural constipation relief preventing from IBS and ulcer-related diseases.

Not just this, it protects against Colon Cancer. It is a deadly disease when out-of-control cells start to grow in the large intestine. Colon cancer is ranked as the third deadly cancer in the U.S. The fiber in the zucchini helps absorb the excess water in the intestine and provide moisture for smooth waste passing. This ensures regularized digestion.

However, doctors recommend increasing the intake of fiber in your diet gradually. Excess of anything is dangerous. Hence, an excess of fiber can lead to bloating and gas.

5. Helps Maintain Eye Health

Not all eye diseases come with a warning sign. You wouldn’t even realize, and you’ll be diagnosed with age related glaucoma or macular degeneration. To help prevent such diseases, include zucchini in your diet plan. Zucchini offers good content of phytonutrients such as lutein, Beta-carotene which is converted into Vitamin-A in the body. Vitamin-A is essential in the development of active cells in the body and maintaining good eye vision.

Moreover, like cucumber, zucchini too can be used to prevent puffy and swollen eyes. A slice of raw Zucchini is to be placed on each eye for 30 minutes for a week, and you’ll see a noticeable difference.

6. Helps In the Formation of Collagen

Remember your nutritionist couldn’t stress enough about the benefits of water and how to have a perfect clear skin you need to consume at least 2 liters of water every day? Guess she was right after all. Zucchini plays the same role as water does when it comes to getting a good radiant skin. Due to high water content, Vitamin-C and riboflavin, maturation of collagen speed up leaving you with fresh skin. It also hydrates your skin since zucchini is 95% water, who knew!

Though keep in mind, the fruits and vegetables we consume only meet 20% of water needs. Water intake is still an essential part of your diet.

7. Slows Down Aging

Let us make a pact and put the expensive creams, drugs, and procedure out of the market. Who needs to invest a fortune in anti-aging when you’ve got a $2 zucchini easily available at your nearest grocery store?

It has proven to be a great source for all kinds of antioxidants. The presence of carotenoids in zucchini helps the cells in your body to rejuvenate and prevents any severe damage to the skin halting any premature aging.

8. Strengthens Bones and Teeth

Not just Vitamin-A and Vitamin complex-B, Zucchini is also rich in Vitamin K. This helps the bones and teeth to strengthen. As already mentioned above, Zucchini is also rich in magnesium which contributes to the improvement of muscle contractions when mixed with calcium.

9. Helps During Pregnancy

Since Zucchini is rich in so many nutrients, it is a must-have vegetable during pregnancy along with other green vegetables. Not only does zucchini help regulate blood pressure to help keep nine months pass smoothly, but zucchini also helps neutralize extreme mood swings. It also helps women cope up with uncertain blood loss by readily developing red blood cells. Moreover, it also eliminates the risk of certain congenital disabilities because of the presence of folic acid.

Conclusion

Though the fact remains, zucchini can taste bland. To savor this nutrition packed super-food and solve all your problems, come up with different ways to cook and use zucchini. Get creative with your zucchini and grill it; season it with your favorite dressings. Or stuff your zucchini with all the goodness such as cheese, chicken or beef, and bake it. Voila! Your perfect meal is now ready. The numerous ways to enjoy it just doesn’t end here. Get your Masterchef’s hat out and own your kitchen.