Have you ever heard about the positive impact of Ugu vegetable’s leaves on your health? Here are 12 Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Leaves (Ugwu Leaf).
Yes, many Nigerians are actually aware that eating pumpkin leaves is beneficial, but a large number of them do not know the exact benefits.
There are several types of pumpkin leaves in Nigeria, commonly known as “ugwu / ugu”, but what we are talking about is the one that Nigerians are most used to, called “Telfire Western”. Vegetables contain a variety of appetizing spices, some are only boiled and eaten, or mixed with smoothies. Either way, each style has guaranteed amounts of different nutrients.
Pumpkin leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, calcium and iron, but are very low in calories. In addition to the benefits of vitamin A provided by the leaves for the eyes, there are also many benefits for the skin. Vitamin C helps heal wounds, form scar tissue, and keep bones, skin, and teeth healthy; however, because the body itself cannot produce or even store this vitamin, you must continue to get enough vitamin C through food.
Speaking of calcium, your mother may tell you when you were very young that your bones and teeth need a healthy dose of calcium, but if you are a female, you must take enough calcium to prevent osteoporosis. And keep the bones strong. There are also studies showing that calcium can reduce the risk of heart failure.
Iron helps our muscles store and use oxygen, and as part of hemoglobin, it also helps to transfer oxygen from our lungs to other parts of our body. If you have heard the term anemia before, it may be caused by iron deficiency. Children especially need a constant, healthy dose of iron, and these leaves help to provide this nutrition naturally. Here are 12 amazing health benefits of eating pumpkin leaves.
- Prevention of epileptic seizures: Cut the young leaves and mix them with coconut water and salt, and store them in a bottle to treat seizures.
- Lower cholesterol: The leaves have the effect of lowering blood lipids and can be used to treat hypercholesterolemia.
- Improve fertility: A case study shows that pumpkin can repair testicular damage and increase sperm production.
- It has a protective effect on the liver.
- Has antibacterial effect.
- The leaves are rich in iron, which plays a key role in the treatment of anemia (my mother mixes the leaf extract with milk).
- They are also known for their breastfeeding properties and are highly sought after by breastfeeding mothers.
- It has the effect of lowering blood sugar (glucose lowering). It is beneficial for diabetics.
- Increase blood volume.
- Strengthen your immune system.
- The high protein content of pumpkin and other plant leaves also affects the body’s daily protein requirements.
- Contains healthy amounts of vitamins.
- Studies have also shown that the antioxidant properties may help fight cancer.
