Butternut squash is the most popular among winter squash
varieties. Oftentimes, the squash is recognized as a large pear shaped
golden-yellow pumpkin fruit, which is put for sale in the markets. Butternuts
are annual long trailing vines. They usually cultivated in warmer climates of
South and Central American regions for their edible fruits, flowers, as well as
seeds.
Butternut squash resembles a cream-colored elongated bell that's
described as tasting sweet, nutty and a little like a sweet potato. Unlike
other winter squash, butternut’s skin is thin and easy to peel, but it can also
simply be cut in half and roasted with the skin intact. Butternut squash
combines simple preparation with significant nutrition in the form of vitamin
A, vitamin C and fiber.
Butternut squash is also a good source of potassium, which helps
lower your blood pressure. Potassium counteracts the effects of sodium, so
consuming more potassium can help you lower your blood pressure if the sodium
in your diet is too high, notes the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Keeping your blood pressure within the ideal range helps lower your risk for
heart disease.
Butternut squash contains soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to digested food, which helps it travel through the
digestive tract and prevents constipation. Soluble fiber slows the absorption
of carbohydrates, which prevents large spikes in blood sugar after you eat.
Soluble fiber also helps lower cholesterol by binding with it and carrying it
out of your body. One cup of cubed butternut squash has 3 grams of fiber, which is
8 percent of the recommended daily intake for men and 12 percent for women.
Broth-based soups such as roasted butternut squash soup are low
energy density. This means they provide a lot of nutrients without containing a
lot of calories. Consuming foods that are low energy density may help you to
lose weight; since their high water and fiber contents help fill you up, you
may not eat as much during the rest of your meal.
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Furthermore, butternut squash has plenty
of natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds like α and ß-carotenes,
cryptoxanthin-ß, and lutein. These compounds convert to vitamin A inside
the body and deliver same protective functions of vitamin A on the body.
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It is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like
folates, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, and pantothenic
acid.
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It has similar mineral profile as that in
pumpkin, containing adequate levels of minerals like iron, zinc, copper,
calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
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Butternut squash seeds are a good source of
dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids that benefit for heart health.
In addition, they are rich in protein, minerals, and numerous health-benefiting
vitamins. The seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid, tryptophan. Tryptophan
converts to health benefiting GABA neuro-chemical in the brain
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