Thursday, September 1, 2011

Zucchini : Fruit or Vegetable ??

Zucchini, also known as courgette in some areas, is a small squash harvested in the summer. It comes from the cucurbita pepo family and its origin can be traced back to America. It has been spread widely by settlers, thus, is planted and harvested in many countries as well. Technically, the zucchini is a fruit but it is usually prepared into dishes as a vegetable. It is usually cooked and mixed with various dishes. The interesting about zucchini is that it comes in various colors; the most common are those in dark green, yellow and light green. It also comes in different shapes but its general shape is more like a cucumber but with ridges. While the zucchini is mostly harvested in summer, it can be planted in any time of the year as it follows no season.

The zucchini can be prepared and eaten in different ways. It can be eaten raw in some dishes but when cooked, is usually sliced or shredded. Aside from the versatility of the zucchini, it is known to be very healthy either prepared raw or cooked. Some of the best nutrients and vitamins the fruit contains include vitamin C, protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fat. With these nutrients, the fruit is one favorite ingredient in many dishes. Not only is it delicious but eating it is also gives a lot of health benefits.

Here are some of its health benefits :



The lutein that is found in the zucchini works hand in hand with vitamin A from other sources to try and maintain the health of the eye. They promote good vision and one example of its usefulness when it comes to vision is its aiding in slowing down vision problems caused by aging. It is common for cataracts to develop at old age but with the help of the lutein, one can prevent this from happening or slow down the process.

For the obese people, the consumption of zucchini would be a good and healthy choice. This is because zucchini contains very low amounts of calories. Thus, this means that no matter what amount of zucchini one consumes, he or she will not put on weight due to its low calorie content. Also, you will not feel hungry as the zucchini gives you the feeling of being full.

The vitamin C found in the zucchini helps in the formation of bones and the maintenance of teeth. Vitamin C also contributes in the fighting of diseases that result from its deficiency. One example of disease caused by vitamin C deficiency is scurvy and by incorporating zucchini regularly in a diet, this condition can be prevented.

Zucchini also helps in the regulation of the important component of the body known as homocysteine. This substance is important to the body but not in large quantities. When in a large quantities, it can be a health risk. It is a good thing that by eating zucchini, you can get homocysteine just in the right amounts.

The water content of the zucchini also helps improve the health of the body. It can help hydrate the body and at the same time, it can also help people who are on diet. Zucchini also has a reputation of protecting against multiple sclerosis. The zucchini also contains a large amount of potassium and folate which are also important to an individual's health.

No comments:

Post a Comment