Are Pumpkin Spice Products Healthy? Here’s What Experts Say
Pumpkin offers powerful nutrients for the human body, however, processed products with ‘Pumpkin Spice’ flavor can have a negative effect on your health.
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Pumpkin season has arrived! Year after year, fans of this seasonal delight anxiously await the arrival of products on the shelves of stores and supermarkets, as well as the menus of various restaurants and cafes, made with pumpkin, especially those that include an iconic mix of pumpkin spices, popularly known as ‘pumpkin spice’.
Pumpkin spice season is known for being a palate-pleaser throughout the month of October and an informal sign of the arrival of fall. However, in recent years, its arrival has come ever earlier, extending this popular seasonal flavor from late July to mid-November; but how good are pumpkin spice products for your health?
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Is Pumpkin Spice Healthy? Here's What Experts Say
Pumpkin itself offers powerful nutrients for the human body thanks to its high content of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, resulting in a great health benefit. According to Julia Zumpano, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, pumpkin also has a high level of fiber, making it an ideal food for people looking to control their blood sugar level.
Other benefits of pumpkin include beta-carotene and potassium, which help boost the immune system and lower blood pressure, respectively. Pumpkin is also a great addition to skin care, according to experts.
“(Pumpkin) can also help lower bad levels of cholesterol, (and) it’s very low in calories,” Zumpano explains to CBS News. “Pumpkin contains betacarotene, which is converted into vitamin A, which can be used in the body for multiple great benefits with skin and immunity. We also know potassium can help lower blood pressure,” she added.
As for the seeds, they contain high levels of magnesium, zinc, iron and tryptophan, which help to regulate mood, sleep and appetite.
“By promoting optimal serotonin levels, pumpkin seeds can help improve mood stability, reduce symptoms of depression and enhance sleep quality,” the experts explained to the news channel.
Pumpkin Spice flavoured products are harmful to health
On the contrary, processed products with pumpkin spice flavor can be harmful to health, since they usually have added ingredients that do not benefit the human body, such as excess sugars.
A clear example of this is the flavored syrups used to create various beverages and foods, resulting in high-calorie products. Just one large pumpkin spice latte (approximately 16 oz) contains around 400 calories and more than 60 grams of sugar, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
That said, pumpkin spice foods and drinks can have an ambivalent effect on human health, depending on their source. If they are edibles prepared with natural ingredients, such as homemade pie, the benefits can be extensive. On the contrary, consuming products with ‘pumpkin spice’ flavoring in excess can be harmful to your health.