Why Eat Zucchini? 5 Vital Benefits That Make It a Must-Have!

Zucchini is a vegetable that is white on the inside and has dark green skin. If you are planning to add more healthy veggies to your diet, zucchini is an excellent option. The flavor of zucchini is not overwhelming, but you can use it as a successful addition to baked goods or a tasty substitute for pasta!

You can either sauté, grill or roast it, and add garnishing of your choice. Preparing zucchini dishes doesn’t require much effort and the vegetable comes with wide range of benefits for your health. Read on to understand how zucchini benefits your body and why you should add this high-fiber food to your diet.

Aids in weight loss 

Zucchini is low in starch and carbohydrates, and high in fiber. As a result, it fills your stomach faster and prevents overeating. The high-water content of zucchini ensures that you stay full for longer periods of time. High-fiber foods such as zucchini also require you to chew more, due to which you take more time to eat and don’t gorge on extra calories.

Additional Read: Easy to Lose Weight in Summer

Improves your heart health by lowering high BP  

The health of your heart is closely related to your blood pressure, and hypertension can lead to severe heart diseases. According to the guidelines by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, following a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet can help you manage hypertension symptoms and improve heart conditions.

It includes foods that are low in fats and sodium, and rich in fiber, protein, potassium and other nutrients [1]. Zucchini can be a great addition to your DASH diet. This vegetable is low in fat, sodium and cholesterol. It also helps maintain a balance of carbohydrates. These factors play the main role in keeping your heart in perfect health. The high amounts of potassium and fiber present in it also make zucchini a healthy food. High intake of fiber can significantly lower your risks of developing hypertension, heart disease, and stroke [2].

Benefits your eye health 

Zucchini is a great source of Vitamin A and C. These are two essential vitamins that help maintain and improve your eye health [3].  Zucchini contains beneficial antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. Research shows these antioxidants play a vital role in order to improve vision and reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases [4].

Helps control diabetes 

Non-starchy veggies like zucchini can aid your diabetes treatment too. The dietary fiber that zucchini provides can delay glucose absorption and help you manage type 2 diabetes [5]. High fiber intake is also associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which is one of the factors contributing to diabetes [6].

Helps with curing asthma 

Presence of vitamin C and copper in zucchini can help cure asthma. The anti-inflammatory properties of zucchini can also contribute to the treatment of asthma. A study shows that the benefits of vitamin C also help with bronchial hypersensitivity, which is one of the characteristics of asthma [7].

Additional Read: Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Usually, It does not have any side effects, but it can cause issues if you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or if you are allergic. Zucchini can be used in many ways and provides many health benefits. As a result, doctors may even suggest that you have it as a part of your Candida diet plan. It is also one of the best green vegetables for diabetics.

Now that you know how zucchini benefits your health, make sure you add it to your diet in the right way. To do this, you can book an online consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health and talk to a nutritionist. This way, you can avail guidance regarding zucchini benefits and side effects, PCOD and diet changes as well as other concerns that may be addressed by eating right. So, get started now and ensure your nutrition meets your body’s evolving needs.