Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) is one of the most important and familiar vegetables, widely consumed from rural areas to urban centers. Dr. Phung Tuan Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Institute for Research and Development of Traditional Medicine, considers pumpkin to be a valuable nutritional "treasure."
Besides the fruit pulp, by-products such as pumpkin seeds, leaves, and peels are also actively utilized in the food industry as functional ingredients, applied in the production of cakes, beverages, soups, jams, and more.
Pumpkins are highly nutritious due to their rich and diverse nutritional content. Every part of the pumpkin, from the flesh and seeds to the leaves and peel, contains large amounts of beneficial phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
Specifically, these parts provide abundant amounts of bioactive compounds including carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, polyphenols, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, phytosterols, selenium, and linoleic acid. These are all important metabolites that help control plant growth and provide superior biological value to humans.
Thanks to its superior nutritional profile, consuming pumpkin offers many practical benefits in protecting health, preventing, and supporting the treatment of many chronic diseases.
Cancer prevention and risk reduction: Pumpkin seed oil is rich in carotenoid pigments that help prevent abnormal cell growth. Consuming pumpkin seeds has been inversely linked to a reduced risk of common cancers such as breast, colorectal, and lung cancer.
Protecting brain cells and reducing oxidative stress: Antioxidants in pumpkin leaves and seed proteins help prevent brain damage caused by lipid peroxidation in cases of protein-energy malnutrition. Pumpkin seed oil also supports the treatment of the side effects of aflatoxin toxins on brain tissue.
Supports treatment of depression and seizures: Pumpkin seeds contain a high amount of tryptophan (576 mg/100g), a precursor to serotonin, which helps fight depression naturally. Additionally, hydroethanol extract from pumpkin leaves has muscle-relaxing properties, supporting improved mood and nervous system disorders.
Improving and protecting liver function: Products made from pumpkin seeds (such as powder and seed oil) contribute to regulating lipid metabolism, reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol, while also improving liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT) and enhancing the liver's antioxidant capacity.