Health & Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini, Nutrition Facts of Zucchini

Zucchini is considered as a popular summer squash and this fits into the family of cucumber and melon. Though it is a fruit but generally we use it in the form of a vegetable and prefer to cook and eat rather than having it raw. You will find the flesh white and is very tender with a very soft flavor and also has a soft resemblance to cucumber. If you want you can have it raw and give a watery taste to your salads. There are various types of Zucchini like Golden Zucchini, round varieties, tatume; Yellow Crooknecks and some other variants are found. Let’s dig into 10 nutritional benefits of Zucchini –

Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini

#1: Helps in lowering cholesterol

The dietary fiber that is present in zucchini is helpful in lowering cholesterol level in our body by getting attached to the bile acids produced by liver for digesting fat. This dietary fiber gets mixed up with bile acid which slows down its capacity to digest more fat and forcing the liver to produce more of bile acids thus using up the cholesterol by the liver while producing more bile acids resulting in low cholesterol level in the body.

#2: Managing weight

Zucchini has a high content of fiber and also the moisture content is high with low on calorie making it a perfect food for weight management. Low energy foods are good when you are trying to lose weight as they fill up your stomach with fiber and water. You can have zucchini if you are feeling hungry as it will make you feel full without adding on extra calorie. This helps in losing weight without making you deprived of the other nutrients like Vitamin A and C an also dietary fiber.

#3: Keeps your heart strong

The high magnesium content in zucchini provides over 10% of the RDA. The mineral found in zucchini helps in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

#4: Helps in prevention of cancer

The high fiber content in zucchini prevents carcinogenic toxins from getting settled in the colon and it also helps in promoting healthy bowel movements. The Vitamin A and C which are present in zucchini destroys the carcinogens which might lead to various types of malignant cancers.

#5: Good for diabetic patients

Ample amount of Vitamin B complex is found in zucchini which is beneficial for diabetic patients. Though there are various types of diabetes but zucchini is particularly helpful in keeping the type 2 diabetes at bay.

#6: Good for healthy eyes

The Vitamin A present in zucchini helps to keep our eyes healthy and increase our night vision, Vitamin C, beta – carotene, manganese and zinc, all acts as an antioxidant which protects our eyes.

#7: Controlling blood pressure

Zucchini is rich in potassium and magnesium which helps in lowering blood pressure levels in the body. People who are suffering from hypertension are advised to include zucchini in their regular diet in order to help them control hypertension naturally.

#8: Prevention of gout

After a certain age people complain of joints in pain which is termed as gout. Zucchini is considered to be a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory carotenoids that is helpful in countering the effects of uric acid. Gout can affect your walking abilities due to excessive pain in knees and feet.

#9: Helpful in normal physiological functions

An essential nutrient called manganese provides various health benefits and one of them being providing normal physiological functions.

#10: Folate good for pregnancy

Another useful nutritional benefit of zucchini is that it is very good for the pregnant women as it contains folate which is beneficial during pregnancy.