07/14/2020 / By Zoey Sky
Zucchini is a versatile, nutrient-rich vegetable. It’s good for your digestion and heart health and it can be incorporated into a healthy diet in many ways: It can be used as an alternative to noodles, served in salads or even turned into delicious desserts.
Zucchinis or courgettes are popular among keto dieters because it can be turned into “noodles” for keto-friendly, low-carb pasta dishes.
A one-cup serving (180 g) of cooked, unsalted zucchini contains the following vitamins and minerals:
Zucchini is a natural source of vitamin A that can help boost your immune system and eye health. Note that raw zucchini offers a similar nutrition profile as cooked zucchini.
However, cooked zucchini contains less vitamin A since it is often reduced by cooking.
The skin and flesh of zucchini are full of antioxidants that promote cellular integrity and reduce inflammation. The antioxidants in zucchini can help protect you from chronic diseases.
Zucchini skin is full of antioxidants like vitamins A and C, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, so when cooking with this superfood, leave the skin on.
Zucchini contains antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, and potassium that boost your heart health.
Antioxidants like carotenoids are found to benefit heart health. Following a diet high in fiber is also linked to healthy cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and less inflammation, all of which help lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
Potassium from zucchini can help lower stroke and heart attack risk by relaxing your blood vessels, which then promotes better blood flow. (Related: Eat more zucchini: 10 health benefits offered by this nutrient-rich vegetable.)
Following a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables can help boost your digestive health.
Zucchini, a water-rich vegetable, can help soften stool. One cup of cooked zucchini contains two grams of both soluble and insoluble fiber that helps draw water into the gut and create bulk to help prevent constipation.
Soluble fiber also boosts digestive health and nutrient absorption by feeding beneficial bacteria in your gut.
There are many ways to cook zucchini:
Parmesan baked zucchini chips
This recipe takes 20 minutes to prep.
Ingredients for 2-4 servings:
Preparation:
Keto-friendly zucchini enchiladas
This keto-friendly snack takes 40 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
Preparation:
Cook tasty and nutritious dishes with zucchini, an amazing superfood that can boost your digestion and heart health.
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Tagged Under: Anti-inflammatory foods, antioxidants, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, dietary fiber, digestion, food cures, food is medicine, organics, prevention, recipes, Zucchini
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