THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SQUASH

Posted by Andrea Lewis on Nov 09, 2015

A guest blog post by holistic writer Andrea Lewis. Consult with your doctor before making
any medical or health decisions.

The great thing about squash, besides its varieties, versatility and delicious flavor, is its
nutritional content. Nutrients are what make a food healthful, and squash, regardless of
variety, has plenty. The most important squash nutrients are vitamin A, vitamin C and
potassium. Most squash varietals contain plenty of these three in a 1-cup serving, and they
are all essential nutrients. Essential nutrients cannot be manufactured by our bodies.

The Importance of Squash Nutrients

Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) is essential to eye health. It's needed for the formation of visual
purple (aka Rhodopsin) in the retina, which allows vision in dim light (or night vision). Long-
term deficiency of vitamin A can and does lead to blindness, particularly in infants, children,
pregnant women and the elderly. Vitamin A fights off age-related eye disorders, such as
macular degeneration and cataracts. Vitamin A prevents the formation of painful urinary
stones, by producing a compound called calcium phosphate, which prevents the formation
of solid particles in the urinary system. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant; it protects
our cells from oxidative stress (aka cellular rust). Our immunity is dictated by vitamin A.
White blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infection in the body, require Vitamin A.
Without it, we are more vulnerable to infections, and the death they can bring. This is
especially true for children.
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Summary

Some of the same things can be said of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), which is also an
antioxidant and also important to immune system health. Numerous studies have shown
that consumption of vitamin C can help prevent cold and flu, or at least shorten its duration.
The potentially fatal disease known as Scurvy is the result of vitamin C deficiency.