Beyond Pie: The 5 Benefits of Pumpkin
Pumpkins are everywhere now that September is here.
You either love it or hate it. I like pumpkin, but I feel like it has become overkill over the last few years. Especially when they start popping out in August.
I’m not sure about you, but I want summer to last as long as possible. I am one to put out the fall decorations in mid-September.
However, fall is my favorite season!
This is why on September 21, Skin Deep is hosting our Pumpkin “Peel” Party to launch our #1 requested service.
Let’s talk about the health benefits of pumpkins to our body and our skin, plus get you excited for our party!
Health Benefits
Pumpkins are chock-full of antioxidants and nutrients that are important for the health of our body.
One thing to note about healthy eating. I am not a dietician, nor am I one to give health advice. However, I have been on a healthy eating journey for many years and have done research and tried lots of healthy eating for my own body. I do recommend seeking out a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine doctor to help find what is best for you and your body.
5 reasons to incorporate pumpkin into your diet:
- High in Vitamin A and antioxidants
- High in Vitamins C and E
- Helps regulate heart health and blood pressure
- Aids in gut health
- High in minerals
Let’s dive a little deeper into these!
High in Vitamin A and antioxidants
Pumpkins contain beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in our body. This is what gives pumpkin it’s orange coloring. Beta carotene is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant for our body.
Vitamin A fights free radical damage and combats oxidative stress, both of these speed up aging. When eaten regularly, vitamin A is healing for our body.
High in Vitamins C and E
Pumpkin can help protect our cells and tissues from damage because it is high in Vitamins C and E.
Vitamin C strengthens collagen in our body to help fight aging & keep our body strong. Vitamin C builds our immune system, which is especially important as we move into the fall & winter months.
Vitamin E fights free radicals which speed up the aging process. Vitamin E aids in reducing heart disease, PMS symptoms in women, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Regulates heart health
Pumpkins are high in potassium, an electrolyte that many of us lack in our diets. Potassium can be found in potatoes, bananas, and avocados. However, if you have inflammation in your body, bananas, and avocados are histamine-releasing foods and can trigger an inflammatory response in your body (more on that in another blog).
Potassium lowers the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Supports gut health
Pumpkin is high in fiber, which feeds healthy bacteria in the gut, acting like a probiotic. Fiber reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
High in minerals
Pumpkin is high in minerals, such as Zinc, Manganese, and Copper.
Zinc is a mineral that helps keep our immune system strong. Zinc fights the sun’s damaging UV rays when in your SPF. When eaten, zinc gives your body an extra boost to help your SPF fight sun damage.
Manganese aids in the prevention of bone loss and fractures.
Copper helps synthesize enzymes and proteins in the body. This helps form hemoglobin and strengthen collagen.
I found this article from Dr. Axe when doing some research, you can read the full article here.
You can eat pumpkin by itself typically found in canned form. You can eat the seeds or try pumpkin seed oil. All are beneficial to your health.
Personally, I love it when we go to the pumpkin patch & the kids get to pick out pumpkins. When the kids carve their pumpkins, I pull out the seeds and roast them! Bake them with a sprinkle of Celtic salt and they are amazing!
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for! Skin Benefits:
Skin health
Pumpkin is beneficial to the skin, especially because of all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant properties. The most well-known benefit of pumpkin on the skin is Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is basically retinol, which helps to treat the skin from aging and scarring. The reason why retinols are popular is because they fight aging. Vitamin A stimulates fibroblast cells, which are responsible for stimulating collagen.
We begin to lose 1% of collagen each year starting around the age of 25-30. We can never replace collagen, but we can strengthen the collagen we do have. This is where retinols come in.
Using pumpkin on the skin is a natural source of Vitamin A and is less likely to irritate your skin like a retinol would. Personally, I prefer the Vitamin A version, also known as Retinaldehyde, because you don’t get the same side effects as you would using a retinol.
NOTE…When using ANY retinol or Vitamin A it is CRUCIAL you are diligent about using SPF. Retinol and Vitamin A cause your skin to become sensitive to the sun and any sun exposure can further damage your skin, thus negating everything you are trying to fix by using retinol.
Pumpkin aids in skin hydration, brightens the skin, and evens out dark spots. Also high in Vitamin C, a natural skin brightener, and good for this time of year after coming off of summer and excess sun exposure.
How does pumpkin work on the skin?
Pumpkin works best in the form of an enzyme because due to it is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs work to exfoliate the skin. Pumpkin is a natural enzyme, that dissolves the skin’s surface of dead skin cells, yet doesn’t break down the skin like an acid would.
Paired with a Vitamin C serum, your skin will leave glowing!
Our pumpkin enzyme treatment, launching on September 21, does exactly this. You will leave with brighter, hydrated skin. However, because it does have naturally occurring Vitamin A and alpha-hydroxy acids, it does have a slight tingle factor.
Pumpkin has natural exfoliating properties, thus I don’t recommend using it daily. This treatment should only be done as a treatment to exfoliate every 2-3 weeks, especially if you are suffering from dark spots.
This year Skin Deep is offering this treatment as a 30-minute standalone service, done in a series of 3 to 6. Or like we’ve done in the past, add to your facial.
Have you tried the Pumpkin treatment yet?
Now is the perfect time to get your skin ready for the fall & winter months ahead.
We are hosting a Pumpkin “Peel” Party on September 21
The cost is $99 and includes your 30-minute enzyme treatment.
You’ll also get access to facial packages + 15% off all skincare purchased that day. We will be focusing on fall skincare routines so your skin is ready for the cooler months ahead.
Only 3 spots left! Click here to book
If you have any questions about our event or would like to sign up, please contact us at samantha@skindeepil.com
See you next week!
XO
Samantha
