Health Benefits of Pumpkin

PON Piekarz Kennel

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Health Benefits of Pumpkin for your PON

Regardless of which type of diet you are offering your PON, (kibble, cooked or raw), read through this list of pumpkin's nutritional values:

Pumpkin Nutritional Values

1 cup cooked pumpkin, boiled, drained, without salt:
Calories 49
Protein 2 g
Carbohydrate 12 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Calcium 37 mg
Iron 1.4 mg
Magnesium 22 mg
Potassium 564 mg
Zinc 1 mg
Selenium .50 mg
Vitamin C 12 mg
Niacin 1 mg
Folate 21 mcg
Vitamin A 2650 IU
Vitamin E 3 mg

Pumpkin seeds, raw (0.25 cup Total weight 34.50 g)
Calories 186.65
Protein 8.47 g
Carbohydrates 6.14 g
Dietary fiber 1.35 g
Fat 15.82 g
Vitamin A 131.10 IU
Thiamin B1 0.07 mg
Riboflavin B2 0.11 mg
Niacin B3 0.60 mg
Vitamin B6 0.08 mg
Vitamin C 0.66 mg
Vitamin E 0.51 IU
Folate 19.84 mcg
Vitamin K 17.73 mcg
Calcium 14.84 mg
Iron 5.16 mg
Magnesium 184.58 mg
Manganese 1.04 mg
Potassium 278.42 mg
Selenium 1.93 mcg
Zinc 2.57 mg

Pretty impressive, isn't it ? The health benefits of pumpkin, according to online research:

Health benefits of Pumpkin

It is one of the vegetables which is very low calories; provides just 26 cal per 100 g and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but is rich a source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. Recommended by dieticians in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.
With 7384 mg per 100 g, it is one of the vegetable in the cucurbitaceae family with highest levels of vitamin-A, providing about 246% of RDA. Vitamin A is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by body for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin for vision. Research studies suggest that natural foods rich in vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.
It is also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as α and ß carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.
Zea-xanthin is a natural anti-oxidant which has UV (ultra-violet) rays filtering actions in the macula lutea in reitina of the eyes. Thus, it helps protect from "age related macular disease" (ARMD) in the elderly.
Rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.
It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

Two common canine ailments are diarrhea and constipation. Did you know that canned pumpkin can offer a solution to both? PON owners are advised to keep cans of pumpkin (the type without sugar and spices) in their pantry for emergencies and for supplementing their PON's diet. For the uninformed, Diarrhea is more a symptom rather than a disease and is typically a sign that something is wrong with your PON's digestive system. There are many causes of digestive upsets which can trigger diarrhea in your PON. He may have eaten something that disagrees with his system, it ma be food allergies, bacterial or viral infection or a worm infestation. Alternatively, It may even be due to a change in diet.

In most cases, diarrhea has an astonishingly simple solution: canned pumpkins. Canned pumpkin is essentially pumpkin in a puree form. Pumpkins are very rich in fiber and adding two teaspoons of canned pumpkin in your PON's food helps the digestion process. Canned pumpkin has a large quantity of dietary fiber and it will also absorb the excess water present in the stool. This makes your PON's stool more firm and results may be visible within a few hours. Offer your PON and a half to two teaspoons of canned pumpkin for daily supplementation and larger amounts (two tablespoons) for digestive upsets.

An additional benefit of canned pumpkin may be found for treating PONS for constipation. It softens your PON's stool and can cure an upset stomach quite rapidly. This makes canned pumpkins one of the best natural remedies for your PON's digestive issues..

Canned pumpkin is also a great addition to dog treats. You can add some canned pumpkin to your favorite dog treat recipes. Please consult this month's treat recipe.

As stated above, canned pumpkin is low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium and is also a very good source of dietary fiber. Some vets even recommend canned pumpkin for weight loss in dogs. Simply substitute one-third of your PON's regular food with an equivalent amount of canned pumpkin. Because it is high in fiber, canned pumpkin will make your PON feel fuller than just reducing caloric intake. Please keep us updated and good luck.