Today there is no person who does not know what squash looks like. The benefits and harms of this product have been studied by specialists for many decades.
What it is?
Squash came to Europe from America in the distant seventeenth century. Not quite an ordinary name is derived from the French word "paté", which means "pie". Indeed, the fruits of this plant actually resemble small neat pies. The product, in fact, is a variation of the well-known zucchini or ordinary pumpkin. Specialists spent a lot of time studying squash. The benefits and harms of the fetus have been the subject of numerous serious studies. The unusual plant pleased Europeans. Initially, it began to be grown in countries with a warmer climate. But now these unusual fruits can be found even in distant Siberia. The increased interest of the population is connected precisely with the properties possessed by squash. The benefits and harms of the product are now known to many amateur gardeners. It is grown in summer cottages and household plots, and professional chefs have come up with many unusual and tasty dishes with this unusual vegetable. As soon as they do not process squash? The benefits and harms associated with them are usually taken into account when choosing one or another method.
Composition of the product
Of greatest interest is what the squash consists of. The benefits and contraindications arise from the chemical structure of the product. First of all, attention should be paid to a rather rich complex of vitamins: A, E, C, PP and several representatives of group B. In addition, starch is present in such vegetables, which helps remove unnecessary fats and dangerous toxins. A large amount of natural pectin allows you to neutralize cholesterol, enveloping it with a gelatinous film and removing it outside the body. Squash also contains a variety of enzymes, as well as many other useful elements and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, molybdenum, iron, titanium and cobalt. All of them, to one degree or another, contribute to the regulation of vital processes. These products have a special effect on the heart and the circulatory system as a whole. They help with hypertension, atherosclerosis, anemia, improve the condition of blood vessels and blood composition.
Positive vegetable
Only by looking at the whole vegetable can one evaluate how good the squash is. Useful properties, according to scientists, are not only in the pulp. The seeds of this plant are no less important for human health. They help fight kidney and liver diseases and normalize the general metabolism. They are sometimes even recommended by doctors as a natural remedy to support the work of internal organs. For example, medicines for diabetes have a negative effect on the liver, and pumpkin seeds and squash help to neutralize it. They also have a lot of lecithin, which is simply necessary for normal brain activity.
In addition, the seeds help to remove excess salt from the body, which accumulates in the joints and creates not only unpleasant sensations, but sometimes leads to deformation of hard tissues. Their constant use helps to avoid such serious consequences. For normal health, it is enough to eat only a few seeds a day, and the desired effect will be achieved.
Two sides of the coin
Squash eat in different forms. They are boiled, stewed, fried and even canned. The best option would be to combine this vegetable with any other protein-rich food. For this case, meat is perfect. The dish will turn out tender, juicy and very fragrant. There is one more plus in this question. Squash is a low-calorie product. It can be eaten in any quantity, even by those people who try to monitor their weight. After all, 19 kilocalories per 100 grams of pure product cannot lead to serious negative consequences. Therefore, such vegetables are included in the list of basic products for a variety of diets. But are squash so safe? Useful properties and contraindications in any product are always nearby. In this case, only two groups of people can fear miraculous squash: those suffering from frequent intestinal disorders and those who have individual intolerance. You can not limit yourself to the rest.