Healing Foods Database » Zucchini

Zucchini

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The zucchini or courgette is a summer squash which can reach nearly 1 metre in length, but is usually harvested when still immature at about 15 to 25 cm. A zucchini is a thin-skinned cultivar of what in Britain and Ireland is referred to as a marrow. In South Africa, a zucchini is known as a baby marrow.


Health Benefits

  • Incorporating zucchini in your diet can help improve digestion including reducing the incidence of constipation and other digestive issues.

    Zucchini is high in water. It also contains significant amounts of fiber, electrolytes, and other nutrients that are necessary for a healthy digestive system.

    Regular consumption of zucchini can also help prevent ulcers, IBS, and colon cancer.

  • Zucchini is low in fat and sodium, but high in fiber and potassium. These properties help to maintain healthy blood circulation.

    Low sodium and high potassium help to maintain healthy blood pressure while fiber, such as the polysaccharide in zucchini, lowers cholesterol levels.

    This combination works synergistically to maintain good circulation, which is necessary for healthy blood pressure and a healthy heart.

  • High blood sugar levels and diabetes are problems that are worsened by a diet high in (unhealthy) carbohydrates and low in fiber.

    By including zucchini in your diet, you increase the intake of fiber. You can also reduce your carbohydrate intake because you will feel full for longer. These diet changes can help reduce your blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity.

    This can mean that your body no longer requires excessive amounts of insulin to process sugar. This can change your risk of developing diabetes. Studies show that including at least 30 grams of fiber in your daily diet lowers your risk of getting diabetes significantly.

  • Because zucchini is low in calories and high in water and fiber, it is a great food for those wishing to reduce their body weight.

    It is worth noting that excess body weight usually results from regular consumption of carbohydrate and sugary foods.

    By including zucchini in your diet, you increase the fiber and water content of your food. This means that you will feel full for longer and end up eating less. In the long term, you will lose some of your excess weight

Nutrition Details

  • Potassium
    • Amount per serving: 512mg
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Vitamin A
    • Amount per serving: 7%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Calcium
    • Amount per serving: 3%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Vitamin C
    • Amount per serving: 58%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Iron
    • Amount per serving: 3%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Vitamin B6
    • Amount per serving: 15%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini
  • Magnesium
    • Amount per serving: 8%
    • Serving size: 1 medium zucchini

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Sources

Generally, we try to use only the following sources to obtain information for our Healing Foods Database:


Please Note:

We always recommend organic, local foods and all of the information contained in our healing foods database is based on organic varieties of each healing food you find here.

Description Credit: Wikipedia. Wikipedia is used only for general food descriptions and we do not endorse Wikipedia as a source for other health-related information.