It detoxifies, degreases and is also delicious: Pumpkin is a true beauty all-rounder, but it still has many surprises up its sleeve.
Pumpkin is a real all-rounder – either on the plate or for skin and hair. The autumn favorite can do even more than the classic pumpkin soup.
A globetrotter
The pumpkin is a real exotic. He comes from Central and South America. The plant first made it to Europe and then eventually settled all over the world. Findings of seeds show that the berry was already very popular around 12,000 years ago. Hold on, berry?
A berry fruit
It's hard to believe, but pumpkins are not a vegetable, they are a berry fruit. Because the skin is so hard, the pumpkin is also known as shell fruit. This is also reflected in the weight: the heaviest pumpkin in Germany will come from Bavaria in 2020. Michael Asam's example from the Aichach-Friedberg district weighed in at the German championship in pumpkin weighing a proud 720.5 kilos.
A vitamin bomb
The pumpkin is not only rich in vitamins A and C, it also contains a lot of beta-carotene and antioxidants that stimulate the skin's cell protection. In addition, the pumpkin contains vitamin B3 as well as omega-3 fatty acids and ceramides, which strengthen the skin barrier and make it more resistant.
The pumpkin should contain a lot of other active ingredients from which our skin benefits. In addition to the aforementioned vitamin C, which strengthens the cell structure of the skin, it also includes natural alpha hydroxy acids. These are supposed to counteract sun-related pigment spots and help the skin to renew itself faster. It also contains a lot of zinc – a natural wound healer with anti-inflammatory effects.
The perfect hair treatment
Pumpkin can also be used as a hair mask. Its nutrients care for and strengthen the hair – shine included. For the DIY hair treatment you need a cup of cooked pumpkin puree, which is mixed with a tablespoon of coconut oil and 100 milliliters of beer. Massage from the roots to the tips, cover with a towel and leave on for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse the hair thoroughly with a mild shampoo, done.
A real lucky charm
Happiness is not only on the back of a horse, but also in the middle of the pumpkin. In addition to many unsaturated fats, pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid tryptophan, which supports the formation of the happiness hormone serotonin. If you're moping up in bad autumn weather, it's best to nibble on a few pumpkin seeds and the mood will rise.