Calories In Squash
Nutrients and Calories in Squash
There are many nutrients and few calories in squash. Winter squash provides more nourishment than we were aware of until recently. Its sweet and mild flavor and fine texture make the winter squash a good choice for taste and health. Each type of squash is different from the rest as far as the calories of that variety, but most all offer nutrients and vitamins.
In contrast, the calories in squash number only about fifty to one hundred twenty five per one cup serving, depending on the type of squash you're eating.
Squash provides anti-cancer effects. Photonutrients in squash and other vegetables in lab studies show an ability to prevent cell mutations of the type that cancer causes. Radishes, pumpkins and leeks also have these photonutrients.
Researchers have found that extracts taken from the squash can help prevent men's benign prostatic hypertrophy, also called BPH. Squash has shown that it may be useful in preventing or slowing this abnormal enlarging of the prostate gland.
If you eat foods that are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, it may help you fight cancer, especially in the lungs. A recent study in China showed that people who ate the most foods rich in beta-cryptoxanthin had a 27% less chance of developing lung cancer. If you or someone in your household is a smoker, then vitamin-A rich foods like squash can help you from becoming a victim of lung cancer.
The calories in squash are more than offset by the nutrients they offer for a healthy lifestyle. They are a very good source of manganese, dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Squash also contain pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamin B6, copper, vitamin B1, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C.
Many of these nutrients serve as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Beta-carotene, for example, helps prevent the oxidation of your body's cholesterol. When it is oxidized, cholesterol builds up in the walls of your blood vessels. This adds to your risk of stroke and heart attack - so beta-carotene is an important preventive in your diet. It may also help to slow or stop the development of atherosclerosis.
Beta-carotene is also praised for its ability to aid in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and asthma, since they all cause inflammation in your body.
Other nutrients found in squash can also help prevent other conditions. Potassium can help lower your blood pressure, and its vitamin C may be able to lessen your symptoms of diabetic heart disease and atherosclerosis.
The calories in squash are not overly significant when you compare them to the amount of fiber in the fruit. Fiber can help prevent chemicals that cause cancer from attacking cells, particularly in the colon. The folate in squash also helps to protect cells in the colon from cancer-causing chemicals. Folate also helps to break down homocysteine, which can cause damage to the walls of blood vessels. High levels of homocysteine can cause a higher risk for stroke and heart attack, so folate helps to counter this effect.