Most of you probably have been familiar with pumpkins. Yes, we carve them into Jack-o’-lantern in Halloween. But alas, this time we are not going to talk about either pumpkins or Halloween. What we are going talk right now is zucchini. Zucchini have nothing to do with the Halloween, true. But, do you know that zucchini and pumpkin originated from the same family?
That’s right, both zucchini and pumpkin are varieties of squashes. Squashes are quite popular plant and have been used for various purposes. The most commonly used part is the fruit, but its leaves also provides some benefits for our health. In this particular article, you will get to know 15 hidden health benefits of zucchini leaves, a variety of squash leaves. (Also read :Â Health Benefits of Squash) But, before we jump to health benefits, let’s have a look at the nutritional value of a zucchini leaves :
Nutritional Values of Zucchini Leaves
According to some researches, every 1 cup (39g) of zucchini leaves contains :
- 18.9% calories (based on a 2,000 calorie diet)
- 0.2g total fat
- 4.3mg sodium
- 170mg potassium
- 0.9g carbohydrates
- 1.2g protein
- 37.8μg vitamin A
- 757.4IU vitamin A IU
- 0.1mg vitamin B6
- 4.3mg vitamin C
- 15.2mg calcium
- 0.9mg iron
- 14.8mg magnesium
- 40.6mg phosphorus
- 0.1mg zinc
- 0.1mg copper
- 0.1mg manganese
- 0.4μg selenium
- 0.4mg niacin
- 14μg folate
- 36.2g water
- 0.1g threonine
- 0.1g isoleucine
- 0.1g leucine
- 0.1g lysine
- 0.1g phenylalanine
- 0.1g tyrosine
- 0.1g valine
- 0.1g arginine
Those are chemical substances you will see when you take a sample of zucchini leaves to the laboratories. The presence of those substances may indicate it as a beneficial leaves for our health. These are 15 hidden health benefits of zucchini leaves :
1. It lowers the heat when you have a fever
For this to work, you must consume the leaves as infusion. So, all you have to do is soak them in liquid. Then drink it.
2. Act as a treatment for nausea and increase production of haemoglobin in your blood
The same as above, the leaves have to be processed into an infusion to be consumable.
3. It makes you look younger
The Anti-oxidants contained in these leaves function as anti-aging agent. So, while taking a good care of your body to stay young and fresh, these leaves may help you. (Also read : Health Benefits of Jackfruit Leaves)Â
4. It prevents convulsion
It plays important role as medicine to prevent you from getting convulsion. Before you consume it, make sure to chopped a pack into pieces, and mix it with coconut water and salt.
5.  It improves your vision
Due to presence of vitamin A, these leaves will help you prevent deteriorating eyes. Your eyes become healthier as you consume it routinely. (Also read : Health Benefits of Delicata Squash )
6. No more worries about Cholesterol problem
Do you have high cholesterol problem in your body? If the answer is yes, zucchini leaves will solve the problem for you. It can lessen the amount of cholesterol absorbed in small intestine due to abundant amount of fibres. Less cholesterol means healthier heart. Thus, you don’t have to worry about getting any potential heart-related diseases.Â
7. Control of diabetes
If you need your diabetes keep in check, just consume these leaves, as it has hypoglycemic effect which decrease sugar levels in your blood. Another good medicinal leaves suited for diabetic person.
8. Treatment for your skin
Have you got some wounds or scars on your arms and legs? Don’t panic, these leaves will help you accelerate the healing process. In addition, your skin will look healthy. The leaf of zucchini is indeed good for your skin. The major cause is high amount of vitamin C that it contains. Vitamin C is known to be used as skin treatment.
9. It helps you solve fertility problem
Have you been through infertility? Then, you should take zucchini leaves as an alternative for curing this problem. It increases your fertility by repairing damage in you testicles and boost production of spermatogenesis.
10. Improve your breastfeeding experience
For mothers who are breastfeeding, zucchini leaves can be used as your additional supplement to increase quantity of breast milk produced. And also, as it is rich in calcium, it controls the calcium level in your body. Thus, it helps in breastfeeding properly.
11. Maintain your bones and teeth health
As already explained in the previous point and as can be seen in Nutritional Value section, zucchini leaves is rich in calcium and phosphorus. Thereby making it recommended for children as they are still in-growing process. It keeps your body supplied with enough calcium, helping your bones and teeth to grow properly.
12. It helps you gain muscle
Yes, for those whose hobby is bodybuilding, adding zucchini leaves to one of your diet plan is a smart move. The main reason for that statement is considerable amount of protein it contains. According to some researches, you need to eat enough protein everyday if you want to build some muscles. Another valuable commodity for bodybuilders.
13. It improves your immunity and heals anemia
As explained in point number 2, zucchini leaves increase the number of haemoglobin in your blood. Therefore, it can be used to boost your immune system. A good immune system will keep you away from diseases. And of course, it also heals anemia. You may want to read : Health Benefits of Camote Leaves
14. It “cleans” your digestive system
Zucchini leaves is rich in fibre content. It is known that high-fiber diet can improve your digestive system. It is healthy to have a clean stomach.Â
15. Prevent bacterial infection
Zucchini leaves consist of anti-bacterial properties. It is recommended to consume it regularly to make sure you are safe from bacterial infection.
Those are the 15 hidden health benefits of zucchini leaves. As you can see, there are many health benefits that zucchini leaves can provide. So, in order to stay healthy, why not try to consume zucchini leaves regularly starting from now? (You may want to read : Health Benefits of Zucchini and Yellow Squash)
Cautions of Zucchini Leaves
While it is known that zucchini leaves have many benefits for your health, using it carelessly will resulting in getting the side effect or overdose. Whence, it is highly recommended having it in just an acceptable amounts.
Also, according to some researches, any type of squash that originated from Cucurbitae family can contain toxins called cucurbitacins. While it is only present in the fruit, it is not impossible that the leaves, or to be more precise, zucchini leaves, may also contains it. So, it is suggested to consult with the experts before deciding to consume these leaves.