Squash is a vegetable used in stews, salads and soups. It has various health benefits as outlined in this article.
1.Low calorie diet
Yellow squash is poor in calories, with a cup containing only 36 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrates and protein content of less than 1 gram. This, coupled with the fact that it is cholesterol free makes a healthy diet for anyone keenly watching their weight. It is the consummate choice to replace other higher calorie vegetables like corn.
2.Abundant in Vitamins
Yellow squash is an excellent source of vitamin C and a rich source of magnesium and vitamin A. The carotenoids and beta-carotene in Vitamin A are especially very important for the health of the eyes as well as fighting cancer. Potassium, another element found in squash is useful in balancing the body fluids as well as giving the muscles the energy they require. The element manganese aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates and glucose. Other vitamins and nutritional elements include fiber, copper, folate, riboflavin and phosphorus.
3.Anti-cancer properties
Yellow squash is rich in antioxidants that ward off free radicals .In particular is high beta-carotene content, which offers protection from pollutants and chemicals that cause cancer. The Vitamin C in Yellow squash assists in preventing premature aging and cancer, not mentioning inhibiting cell division.
4.Cardiovascular Health
Yellow squash has little or no fat and no quantifiable cholesterol-not more than 0.2grams of fat. What this implies is that you will be able to reduce your consumption of fat and cholesterol, an important move towards cutting down risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack. Yellow squash has magnesium mineral element which is known to cut down the risk of heart attack and stroke, coupled with potassium.
As earlier noted, the vitamin c and beta-carotene are abundant in yellow squash and whose role is to reverse the effects of oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidation of cholesterol is what triggers onset of conditions such as atherosclerosis, occasioned by accumulation of cholesterol on the arterial wall of blood vessels. The folate in Yellow squash is useful for ridding the unwanted byproduct of metabolism otherwise known as homocysteine which aggravate cardiovascular attacks. The fiber rich Yellow squash is important in reducing cholesterol as well as lowering the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis and heart diseases.
5. Colon Health
Yellow Squash contains 2.52 grams of fiber is useful for the health of your colon. It assists in increasing the bulk during removal of stool as well as removal of other toxins from the body.
6.Prostate Health
Men with symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BHI) should take Yellow squash in order to get relief from this condition. This condition results from enlarged prostate gland, causing sexual dysfunction as well as difficulty in passing urine.
