Back where I come from, we call these
green “ugwu” or “ugu”, and most Nigerians
have no idea what the English name is (like
most local foods) it is known as pumpkin
leaves. My grandmother used to say this was
a great vegetable to blend and mix with
juices and stuff, but way back then, as a
child, I could never understand why
someone would want to blend a vegetable.

And it didn’t have the best texture in the
world. Now, look at me, blending all sorts of
greens!
This vegetable is used a lot in Nigeria to
cook soups (what you may refer to as a
sauce), to boil and eat plain, or to blend into
a shake. People say it is healthy, but I don’t
think people truly know what those health
benefits are.


Pumpkin leaves contain a healthy amount of
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron, while
still staying very low on the calorie front.
We all know about the vision benefits
vitamin A provides, as well as the skin
benefits. Vitamin C helps to heal wounds
and form scar tissue, and maintain healthy
bones, skin, and teeth. However since the
body cannot produce this vitamin on its
own or even store it, you should be
consistently getting enough vitamin C in
your diet.


As for calcium, your mother probably already
told you growing up that you need a healthy
dose of calcium for your bones and teeth as
a child. However, if you are a female, it is
important to consume enough calcium to
help prevent osteoporosis and keep your
bones strong. There have also been studies
showing that calcium may help reduce the
risk of cardiovascular failure.


Iron helps our muscles store and use
oxygen, and helps carry oxygen from our
lungs to other parts of our bodies as part of
hemoglobin. If you’ve ever heard the term
“anemia”, this can be caused by iron
deficiency. Women and children in particular
need a healthy dose of iron consistently, and
these leaves help provide that nutrient
naturally.


Some of the health benefits of pumpkin
leave include:

1. Prevention of convulsion: The young
leaves sliced and mixed with coconut water
and salt are stored in a bottle and used for
the treatment of convulsion in ethno
medicine.

2. lowers cholesterol:lea ves has
hypolipdemic effect and may be a useful
therapy in hypercholestole mia.

3. Boo$t f3rt!lity: A particular study showed
that pumpkin has the potential to
regenerate te$t!cular damage and also
increase sp3rm@togenes!s .

4. It has a liver protecting effects.

5. It has antibacterial effects

6.The leaves are rich in iron and play a key
role in the cure of anaemia, (my mother
used to mix the leaf extract with milk)

7. They are also noted for lactating
properties and are in high demand for
nursing mothers.

8. It has an hypoglycaemic (sugar reducing)
effect. It is good for diabetics

9. Increases Blood Volume and Boost
Immune System and as a result increases
blood flow to your little J@mes and
incr3ases it siz3 n@tur@lly

10. The high protein content in leaves of
plants such as pumpkin could have
supplementary effect for the daily protein
requirement of the body, as a result could
make u l@$t l@ngar on b3d.

Incisive & educative. I need to make changes in my diet.

This is highly informative
Thanks OP

my favourite Veg.

Interesting

Noted!

You just goofed because the content of your post and its topic do not tally. Because i find it rather ridiculous for someone to say consumption of pumpkin leaves makes one pen.is to become larger. Asides that grievous error you made, the post is quite informative all the same.

.

PRISTINEMUSCLES:
You just goofed because the content of your post and its topic do not tally. Because i find it rather ridiculous for someone to say consumption of pumpkin leaves makes one pen.is to become larger. Asides that grievous error you made, the post is quite informative all the same.

I don't know what you mean by ''they do not tally''
most people are aware of most of the benefits of this leaf except the this topic