How Healthy Are Pumpkins? - a podcast by Physicians Committee

How healthy is a pumpkin? Super healthy! As it turns out, pumpkins are far more than just something fun to carve on Halloween. You can argue that they’re a nutrition powerhouse packed with vitamins proven to lower the risk of cancer, boost to the immune system, and help promote a healthy heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Take a journey with “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll to a pumpkin paradise and learn everything there is to know about these delicious fall favorites. He travels to Butler’s Orchard, a 300-acre farm just outside of Washington, D.C. to speak with third-generation grower Ben Butler about picking the perfect pumpkin for both cooking and for carving. Plus, explore the growing process and take a trip inside of their massive farm store where you can find just about anything you want that’s made with pumpkin — even soap!

You’ll also learn about dozens of varieties of pumpkins and how a lot of them are downright bizarre! Some look like red neon mushrooms while others look like giant peanuts and something out of an alien invasion!

Dietitian Lee Crosby also carves up pumpkin nutrition facts! Everything from beta-carotene to vitamins A and C to fiber and tryptophan (yes, that thing that makes you sleepy) is on the table! 

Fun fact: The can of pumpkin in your pantry may not actually be pumpkin at all. You’ll find out why on the show!

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Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM / @Veggie_Quest

IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee / @LeeAtVeggieQuest

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