Health Benefits of Zucchini - Nutritional Value in Zucchini, Nutrition Benefits of Eating Zucchini

Zucchini, a small summer squash, is botanically a fruit. However, in gastronomic terms, it is considered to be a vegetable. Though you can avail zucchini throughout the year, the best ones appear during late spring. Most of you must have savored the taste of Zucchini squash, available in markets round the year. I know…you must be licking your tongue remembering its sweet, tangy flavor. Leaves aside its good taste, have you ever given a thought to the nutritional value of this cucumber-like fruit? No? Then, let us tell you that this cylindrical-shaped fruit has many nutritional benefits. At the same time, it is low on calories. In fact, one medium-sized zucchini has just 25 calories in it, making it an ideal stomach-filler for those trying to lose weight. If you want to explore the nutritional value and health benefits of zucchini, go through the lines that follow.

Nutritional Value in Zucchini

Given below is the amount of nutrients present in 135 gm, raw zucchini:

Calories: 17
Protein: 1.4 gm
Carbohydrate: 3.6 gm
Total Fat: 0.17 gm
Fiber: 1.5 gm
Vitamin C: 11 mg

Health Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini helps cure asthma, as it contains Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.
The vegetable is known to help prevent diseases like scurvy and bruising, caused by the deficiency of vitamin C.
Regular intake of zucchini effectively lowers high homocysteine levels in the human body.
The vegetable can help prevents risk of having multiple sclerosis (MS).
Zucchinis have high water content (over 95%), high nutritious value and contain a very low amount of calories, so they make the perfect snack item for people on diet.
The vegetable contains useful amounts of folate, potassium, and vitamin A, necessary for proper functioning of the human body.
Zucchini contains Vitamin C and lutein, both of which are known to be good for the eyes.
The vegetable is a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin, manganese and a lot of other nutrients.
Eating zucchini is known to help the body in supporting the arrangement of capillaries.
Regular consumption of the vegetable can help protect the body against colon cancer.
Zucchini is believed to be beneficial in preventing heart disease and related symptoms, such as high cholesterol.
The rind of zucchini contains the nutrient beta-carotene, which is known to be full of antioxidant properties and thus, helps protect cells against oxidation damage.
The vegetable proves to be a good source of magnesium and phosphorus, the nutrients essential for building and maintaining healthy bones.
Zucchini is rich in vitamin C, another powerful antioxidant that can provide protection against cardiovascular disease.

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