Squash is one of the healthiest vegetables around. Winter varieties have a hard shell and include acorn, pumpkin and butternut. Summer squash has a soft peel that can be eaten. The most common types are zucchini and Italian squash. Like most vegetables, squash contains beneficial antioxidants. Many types of winter squash are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, as previously noted. Here Joanne Washburn, Food.news, reflects on incredible benefits of butternut squash and recipes included:

“Come fall, you’ll be roasting, toasting and sauteing butternut squash all the time. But you’ll be all the healthier for it. Butternut squash is a cool-season vegetable (technically a fruit) that boasts high amounts of fiber, plant protein and powerful antioxidants.

While high in both calories and carbs, butternut squash still makes a smart addition to meal plans. It provides more potassium than a banana and contains a wide range of cancer-fighting compounds.

The goodness of butternut squash

With several essential nutrients and health-promoting antioxidants, butternut squash is bursting at the seeds with amazing health benefits, such as:

1. Supports heart health – Just one cup of butternut squash provides almost 500 milligrams (mg) of potassium. This mineral prevents sodium from raising blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
2. Regulates bowel movement – Fiber in starchy veggies like butternut squash adds bulk to stool. This makes stool easier to pass and keeps you regular.
3. Maintains good vision – Vitamin A is essential for the maintenance of good vision, even in old age. Just one cup of butternut squash has over 350 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
4. Strengthens bones – Butternut squash contains about 17 percent of your recommended daily intake of manganese. This mineral increases your body’s calcium absorption and improves mineral density of your spinal column.”

If you would like to learn other solutions to help control your health … click here?

Read More … Article Source: https://www.food.news/2020-11-05-butternut-squash-health-benefits-and-recipe.html