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Overview

The summer squash. Technically a fruit, zucchini or courgettes come from a similar family as cucumbers. Most commonly found in a dark green colour, but they can also appear in lighter yellow. It doesn’t have a particularly strong taste which makes them a highly versatile food option for a variety of meals.

Below I outline ten zucchini benefits.

10 Zucchini Benefits

1. Nutritionally Rich
2. Promotes Digestion
3. Contains Antioxidants
4. Prevents Diabetes
5. Heart Health
6. Enhances Vision
7. Strengthens Bones
8. Slows Aging
9. Energy Booster
10. Stymies Cancer

1. Nutritionally Rich

Zucchini is a nutritionally rich food containing minerals such as manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous with trace amounts of iron, calcium and zinc. They contain vitamins A, B6 and C.

2. Promotes Digestion

Like cucumbers, zucchini contains a lot of water content, fibre and electrolytes, which all aid the body with digestive functions.

3. Contains Antioxidants

Courgettes contain many carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, which are all antioxidants which protect the body against damage caused by free radicals.

4. Prevents Diabetes

The fibre content in zucchinis can help regulate blood sugar levels. Many people consume sliced zucchinis as a low carb replacement for pasta also.

5. Heart Health

Courgettes contain a large amount of pectin, a type of soluble fibre which is particularly effective at reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. The carotenoids contained also help regulate healthy heart levels. Of course, potassium also helps in regulating blood pressure levels which helps the heart as well.

6. Enhances Vision

Zucchinis are rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, which help protect the eyes from macular degeneration, as well as the formation of cataracts and other vision impairments. Certain beauty treatments place a slice of cucumber or zucchini over each eye to treat puffy eyes.

7. Strengthens Bones

The vitamin K and magnesium content in courgettes can help strengthen bones and maintain good bone density.  

8. Slows Ageing

Courgettes contain lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, all of which help prevent free radicals and inflammation from wreaking havoc on the body. This, in turn, can slow down the ageing process, keeping your body younger for longer.

9. Energy Booster

B vitamins, particularly folate, riboflavin and B6 are especially effective in generating energy in the body, by boosting the metabolism and thereby assisting with the breakdown of foods for energy.

10. Stymies Cancer

Antioxidants and vitamin C play a significant role in the prevention of diseases and cancer. Carotenoids can help kill cancerous cells before they multiply. 

Conclusion

A few weeks ago, I visited my neighbours to play some games and have a general catch up. They grew zucchini in their garden and gave me a generously large one to take back home. I wish I had taken a photo of it because it was freaking huge! Not something you could possibly purchase from a supermarket, you would have to get one this size direct from a grower.

Anyway, I ended up blending the gigantic courgette when I got home and enjoyed a week’s worth of juice using it and other ingredients. Zucchini is a highly versatile fruit, however, and a popular option is to create noodles with it, using a unique cutting device. However you choose to consume it, let me know in the comments below!

Mission complete – Overlord Drakow signing out.