We settle this debate and share the nutritional benefits of pumpkins.

What is a pumpkina vegetable?

But it has seeds, so is pumpkin a fruit?

And is a pumpkin different than a squash or a gourd?

As you spend hours carving pumpkins and preparingpumpkin pies, these questions may come to mind.

What Are Pumpkins, Exactly?

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds are all part of the Cucurbitaceae family.

This large plant family includes over 900 species, including orange pumpkins, watermelons, and cucumbers.

Ready for the surprise?

While pumpkins are squash and gourds, pumpkins are also a fruit.

All othervarieties of squashare also fruit.

Fruit vs.

But all plants, whether they be fruits, vegetables, or others, start as seeds.

With vegetables, we eat parts like the leaves, stems, roots, and bulbs.

With fruits, we eat what is technically the bloom or flower of the plant.

Pumpkins areheart-healthy food, and adding pumpkin to your diet can help the body fight off disease.

Vitamin A also helps maintain eye health, even lowering the risk of vision loss.

Pumpkins also contain carotenoids like lutein, which can help reduce the risk of cataracts.

Potassium and magnesium are essential minerals for heart health, helping to regulate blood pressure.

Fiber can also regulate the body’s blood sugar levels.

Antioxidants

Beta-carotene helps give pumpkins their orange color, but it’s also ahealthy antioxidantfor our bodies.

Pumpkins also contain alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, other beneficial antioxidants.

Antioxidants are beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Beta-carotene is helpful for skin texture and can act as a natural sunblock.

The body also converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, taking only as much as it needs from the antioxidant.

(Too much vitamin A can be harmful.)

Luckily, this irresistible snack is also a great source of nutrients.

Just 1 ounce ofroasted pumpkin seedsprovides nearly 2 grams of dietary fiber and 8 grams of protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may be surprised to learn this, but yes, pumpkins are berries.

This includes gourds (like pumpkins), watermelons, tomatoes, and even bananas.

Most people think of pumpkins as vegetables because they tend to be less sweet than other fruits.

The difference between fruits & vegetables| institute of culinary education.

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