Hubbard squash is one of the many varieties of winter squashes. It is grey-blue in colour with a sweet flavour similar to a pumpkin. Generally, they come in a wide range of sizes. Winter squash is an active ingredient of South American Cuisine. It is a vegetable that not only eaten as whole but also incorporated in soups, pies and casseroles. In this article, we will discover nutritional facts and health benefits of Hubbard Squash.
Squashes belong to family Cucurbitaceae and genus Cucurbita maxima. Other varieties of the same genus include buttercup and kabocha. The word squash comes from Native American word “askutasquash”, which means “Eaten Raw” or “Uncooked”. Now, let’s see nutrition content and some of the major health benefits of Hubbard Squash in detail.
Hubbard Squash Nutrition Facts
According to the USDA database, 100 gram of raw Hubbard contains 40 kcal energy and 88g water. In terms of organic molecules, Hubbard squash has 8.7g Carbohydrate, 2g Protein, 0.5 g Fats, 3.9g Dietary Fibre and 3.95g Sugar. Speaking of minerals, it has a good amount of Potassium i-e 320mg, 21mg Phosphorous, 19mg Magnesium, 14mg Calcium, 7mg Sodium, 0.4mg Iron, 0.13g Zinc and traces of Copper and Manganese; 0.064mg and 0.179mg respectively. Moreover, Hubbard is rich in vitamins; it contains 68 µg Vitamin A, 0.0154mg Vitamin B-6, 0.07mg Thiamine, 0.04mg Riboflavin, 0.5mg Niacin, 0.4mg pantothenic acid, 16 µg folate, 11mg Vitamin C, 11.8µg choline, 0.16mg Vitamin-E and 1.3µg Vitamin-K. In addition, it also has a total of 0.103g saturated fatty acids, 0.037g monounsaturated and 0.21g polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas cholesterol is insignificant or zero. I believe its safe to say that Hubbard Squash is FULL of heartwarming nutrients.
Hubbard Squash Health Benefits
Now that we have seen the Hubbard Squash Nutrition intake per 100g, it is time we explore the health benefits of this amazing vegetable based on its nutrients and minerals.
1. Zero Cholesterol
Amazingly, Hubbard Squash has no cholesterol at all. It means, even after consuming multiple bowls of Hubbard Squash, you will have zero risks of heart and other arterial blockage diseases. Generally, cholesterol counts in bad fats. It is responsible for the blockage of blood vessels. If the cholesterol accumulates in the artery that carries blood to the heart, it blocks it. As a result, less oxygen reaches to the heart. Consequently, the person falls victim to cardiac arrest and other heart-related diseases.
2. Vision
Hubbard Squash is rich in nutrients. It contains a good amount of Vitamin A. Vitamin A improves the sense of vision. Therefore, if you have an eye-sight problem or just want to improve the vision, you must consume loads of Hubbard.
3. Healthy Skin
For healthy skin, you need an optimum amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in repair and regrowth of skin cells. Interestingly; Hubbard squash is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Therefore, consuming dishes that have Hubbard in it will make your skin younger and healthier.
4. Weight Loss
One of the health benefits of Hubbard Squash is that it is high in nutrition and low in Fats. So, if you are planning to lose weight, try incorporating Hubbard in the diet. It will provide you with necessary nutrients without adding any unhealthy fats.
5. Constipation Relief
Constipation is said to be the mother of all diseases. Basically, it occurs due to less amount of fibre in the diet. Fibre adds bulk to your food. Therefore, it becomes easier for the food to pass through the alimentary canal. So, the good news is that Hubbard Squash is high in fibre too. Eating it regularly can provide you with nutrients, vitamins, and loads of bulk.
Complications and Risks
Hubbard Squash is full of nutrients and health benefits. However, the key factor to good health is consuming fresh vegetables and fruits. Always choose the one that is smooth with no cracks. Do not consume frozen Hubbard as it contains preservatives. Hence, it may not provide you with all the nutrients that a fresh Hubbard can. Also, be aware of pesticides spray. Wash off the vegetables properly so that it becomes free of any pesticide residue if present.
Conclusion
Hubbard is rich in nutrients. It has not only high nutrition value but also numerous health benefits. Consuming Hubbard can improve your vision. It can make you look younger by repairing your skin. Also, it relieves constipation due to its high-level fibre. Therefore, if you haven’t been using Hubbard in your diet, start consuming it today.
