Summer squash refers to an annual creeping herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Cut the pumpkin in half and boil it in boiling water for about 10 minutes, then cool it and press the skin with your hands to release the flesh like strands of noodles. It was developed as a new variety in Japan in 1999 and is actively cultivated in Korea as a special product of Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.
Summer squash is boiled and unwrapped pumpkin meat, and it is often consumed in various dishes such as noodle soup, cold noodles, bibim noodles, pancakes, salads, and japchae. In particular, when eaten with meat dishes, it is known to be effective in reducing the smell of meat. In addition, the melody released from summer squash contains abundant nutrients such as aspartic acid, carotenoids, dietary fiber, and potassium. Now, let’s take a closer look at the main effects of summer squash and what are the side effects to be aware of when consumed.
summer squash main benefits
1. Removal of vascular toxins
Summer squash is known to be rich in aspartic acid, also called aspartic acid. It is said that this high content of aspartic acid helps to control the overall health of blood vessels by discharging toxins and waste products from the blood vessels and at the same time suppressing the level of harmful cholesterol.
In addition, summer squash contains a large amount of beta-carotene, which belongs to the carotenoid family and is recognized as an excellent antioxidant. This rich beta-carotene component not only removes toxins from the blood vessels, but also has a beneficial effect in protecting blood vessels from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In particular, it has been known that these beta-carotene components increase 3 times or more when blanched compared to raw summer squash.
2. Blood pressure control
Another beneficial effect of summer squash on vascular health is that it regulates blood pressure, the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of blood vessels. Summer squash works with sodium and has a high content of potassium, which regulates the balance of acid and alkali. It is said that this series of actions helps a lot in the prevention of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure. Potassium also dilates blood vessels, so it is said to have a good effect in maintaining normal heartbeat.
3. Constipation improvement
It is said that summer squash is rich in dietary fiber and is involved in promoting intestinal peristalsis, which is beneficial in eliminating sukbyeon and improving constipation. In addition, the abundant dietary fiber helps to expel toxins, wastes, and harmful substances from the intestines, which is said to be effective in promoting overall intestinal health.
4. Diet
The calorie of summer squash is low at about 30Kcal per 100g, and it is known that it helps a lot in diet by maintaining a feeling of satiety for as long as possible due to the content of abundant dietary fiber. In addition, it is said that the rich polyphenol component in summer squash suppresses the accumulation of fat in the body, thereby obtaining an anti-obesity effect.
Other efficacy and side effects
The potassium component contained in summer squash is excellent in helping the smooth discharge of accumulated wastes and toxins in the body, and it is said that it is also said to be effective in reducing swelling. In addition, it is said that it is involved in regulating blood sugar by the complex action of various carotenoids, minerals, and vitamins, which are evenly contained, and helps to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.
Summer squash is known to have no side effects. However, the excellent diuretic effect of the rich potassium component can adversely affect people with weak kidney function or related diseases, so it is recommended to be careful. In addition, even if there are no kidney-related problems, it is not good to consume in excess, so it is recommended to consume not more than one and a half a day, which is known as the proper intake. In addition, please note that summer squash can be stored for as long as possible if stored in a cool and well-ventilated area, as summer squash has a long shelf life as it has a hard outer surface and does not easily soften.
