Pumpkin, Ginger & Goji Berries–Oh My!

Sunday, 04 January 2009 19:39

Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, these three ingredients exemplify the "superfood" qualities of Buffaloberries™ select ingredients.

PUMPKINS

Pumpkins are members of the winter squash family along with hubbard squash, acorn squash, turban squash, and butternut squash. Winter squash can be stored longer than summer squash (like zucchini and yellow squash). Some Native American tribes buried squash with their dead to provide nourishment for the post-life journey.

Pumpkins are loaded with beta-carotene (a preliminary form of vitamin A). They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber and a good source of Omega 3, folate, B vitamins, and copper.

The powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of beta carotene-rich foods like pumpkin help to:

• protect against colon cancer, heart attacks, and stroke

• reduce the severity of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions

The flesh of the pumpkin is the part used in cooking and baking but pumpkin seeds (rich in protein and zinc) are "superfoods" in their own right.

GINGER

Ginger is a plant root native to southeastern Asia.

Commonly used as a spice in cooking and baking, ginger is a good source of potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6.

In many ancient cultures, ginger was prized for medicinal, aromatic, and culinary purposes. Modern science has proven that ginger does indeed have medicinal properties. It has been shown to:

• prevent the symptoms of motion sickness

• reduce pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting

• provide antioxidant benefits

• contain gingerols, impressive anti-inflammatory compounds

• protect against colorectal cancer in laboratory mice

• potentially lower the risk of ovarian cancer

For more detailed information about the properties of ginger and recent scientific studies, visit the World's Healthiest Foods website.

GOJI BERRIES

These ancient berries are found in the Himalayas. Rather obscure until recent times, goji berries are now in the spotlight as one of the world's richest sources of antioxidants.

The analysis of goji berries conducted by the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute indicates that goji berries are a good source of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 as well as vitamin E and contain 18 essential amino acids and 21 trace minerals. Institute findings also tout that goji berries have 500 times more vitamin C (per ounce) than oranges and provide more beta carotene than carrots.