Zucchini
Zucchini is rich in vitamin B6. Research suggests that this vitamin can help with regulating blood glucose. The vitamin may even play a protective role against diabetes. Compounds such as lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eye's cells by filtering blue light wavelengths.
Zucchini is a summer squash that is a part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family, otherwise known as gourds.
This article looks at the health benefits of zucchini and offers suggestions as to how to prepare and enjoy it.
They include the following:
High in antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable atoms in the body that fight infection. If a person has an imbalance of free radicals, they can damage the body’s fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins. Doctors call this oxidative stress, and it can cause a range of health issues.
Antioxidants help maintain a healthy level of free radicals and benefit health.
Zucchini is high in antioxidants and might help protect a person from the following health problems:
cardiovascular disease
several types of cancer
eye-related disorders
skin disorders
Promotes healthy digestion
Zucchini can help promote healthy digestion in several ways.
Firstly, it is rich in water, containing 94.8 grams (g) of water per 100 g of fruit. Water is essential Trusted Sourcefor helping improve digestion. Water in the diet helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass, reducing the chances of constipation.
Also, zucchini contains soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber help keep the gut healthy and promote good digestion. It does this by adding bulk to the stool to help it move more easily through the gut, reducing the risk for constipation.
One 2015 article states that dietary fiber can aid healthy digestion and reduce a person’s risk for various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
Reduces blood sugar levels
Carbohydrates turn into glucoseTrusted Source inside the body, which can increase a person’s blood sugar levels.
Zucchini is low in carbohydrates. If a person uses zucchini as an alternative to high carbohydrate products, such as pasta, they will reduce their carbohydrate intake, which can help lower their blood sugar levels.
Diets low in carbohydrates can improve blood sugar levels and may even reduce the needTrusted Source for medication for people with type 2 diabetes.
A 2015 meta-analysis concluded that fiber present in fruit and vegetables could reduce blood sugar levels and reduce a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Improves eye health
Zucchini may also help improve eye health. For example, zucchini is high in vitamin C, which is also an antioxidant. Some evidence suggests that vitamin C can reduceTrusted Source a person’s risk of developing eye problems, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Additionally, zucchini also contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants can also help reduceTrusted Source a person’s risk of developing AMD and cataracts.
Improves heart health and circulation:
Zucchini can help improve heart health in various ways.
As previously stated, zucchini is a fruit that is high in fiber. As well as improving digestion and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, high-fiber diets also help improve heart health.
Zucchini contains the water-soluble fiber pectin. Pectin may lowerTrusted Source bad cholesterol and lipid levels in a person’s blood, promoting good heart health.
Furthermore, zucchini is also high in potassium, which can help manageTrusted Source high blood pressure. This is important as high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and kidney failure.