A series of PresentationByMr. Allah Dad Khan former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

5. Squash
Squash another generic name for fruits of the
vine of the Cucurbitaceae family of plants (see
also Gourds). Butternut Squash has recently
grown in popularity in the United Kingdom.

6. Squash
Squash is one of the most versatile and
delicious vegetables available throughout the world,
and it also packs a serious punch in terms of health
and medicinal benefits. Different varieties of squash
have the ability to improve the quality of your sight,
boost skin health, strengthen the immune system,
prevent cancer, manage symptoms of diabetes, build
strong bones, protect heart health, reduce symptoms
of insomnia, prevent inflammatory conditions,
treat arthritis, eliminate ulcers, eliminate parasites
and infections, increase prostate health, protects
against birth defects, boosts respiratory health, and
reduces blood pressure.

7. Squash
Squash is a very interesting vegetable, because it is actually a
broad term that encompasses a number of different types of
vegetables, including pumpkins, zucchinis, courgettes,
and marrows. They have a number of overlapping
characteristics, and belong to the genus Cucurbita. The
individual species include dozens of varieties, including
buttercup squash, hubbard squash, cushaw squash,
pumpkins, acorn squash, summer squash, zucchini, autumn
squash, and winter squash. In North America, most of the
varieties are simplified into either summer squash or winter
squash. These classifications depend on when the squashes
ripen, and what flavor and health benefits the user is trying to
gain. Squash also include gourds, of which there are many
different classifications as well.

8. Nutritional Value Of Squash
The impressive health benefits of squash
are derived from the organic compounds,
nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that it contains.
This list includes a huge amount of vitamin A, as well
as significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin
E, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and
folate. In terms of minerals, squash
contains magnesium, potassium, manganese, coppe
r, phosphorous, calcium, and iron. It is also a very
good source of carotenoids and other important anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.

9. • Health Benefits Of Squash

10. Squash as Immune System Health:
Squash is an important source of many
nutrients, including vitamin C, magnesium,
and other antioxidantcompounds. These
vitamins and minerals are important
antioxidant components in the body, which
help to neutralize free radicals throughout the
body. Free radicals are the natural,
dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism,
and they have been connected with a wide
swath of illnesses, including cancer, heart
disease, and premature aging. Furthermore,
squash contains very high levels of vitamin A,
including carotenoid phytonutrients like lutein
and zeaxanthin. All of this together helps the
body boost its immune response and defend
against foreign substances, as well as the
free radicals produced by our own body, that
may do us harm over the long term.

11. Squash Managing Diabetes:
Proper, regulated metabolism
of sugar in the body is the best way to
manage the symptoms of diabetes, a
disease which afflicts millions of
people all around the world. Squash
is a great source of B-complex
vitamins, all of which are essential in
that metabolic activity. Furthermore,
certain types of squash contain good
amounts of dietary fiber, including the
polysaccharide known as pectin.
Pectin is an essential element in
blood sugar regulation throughout the
body, making sure that the insulin and
glucose activities within the body
remain constant and smooth. This
ensures proper function of different
organ systems, and a reduction in the
plunges and peaks that can make
diabetic life so difficult.

12. Squash has Anti-Inflammatory Capacity:
Although talking about inflammation usually
includes a discussion of arthritis or gout,
inflammation can occur throughout the body,
and is often a symptom of other conditions,
like a fever that is a signal of an infection
attacking the body. The anti-inflammatory
activity of squash is due to the presence of
omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids like lutein,
zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, as well as
somewhat unusual anti-inflammatory
polysaccharides called homogalacturonan.
Although anti-inflammatory affects can
certainly extend to arthritis and gout, studies
on squash have specifically linked its impact
to reducing gastric and duodenal
ulcerreduction, as well as to general anti-
inflammation of the cardiovascular system.
Inflammation in the body is also closely
linked to type-2 diabetes, which is yet
another way in which squash can help those
suffering from that condition.

13. Squash as Antiseptic, Antimicrobial,
Antifungal Activity:
The natural immune-boosting
ability of squash is great for
general illnesses, but specific
toxins and foreign bodies can also
cause serious health issues.
However, as we mentioned in the
introduction, the seeds of squash
can also be eaten or chewed to
get a number of health benefits.
These seeds have been directly
connected to antiparasitic,
antimicrobial, and antifungal
activity within the body, protecting
us from a wide variety of terrible
diseases, including tapeworms
and other intestinal parasites.

14. Squash for Lung Health:
The vitamin in highest quantities
within squash is vitamin A, and
studies have linked vitamin A to a
reduction in emphysema,
particularly for those people who
are consistently exposed to
carcinogens like cigarette smoke.
There is also an important
carotenoid called beta-
cryptoxanthin that has been linked
to a reduction in the occurrence of
lung cancer. Lung cancer is one
of the most common forms of this
terrible disease, so an increase
in foods that contain vitamin A can
be a very important protective
element.

15. Squash for Neural Tube Defects:
Squash has significant
levels of folate, which has
long been known as an
essential vitamin for
pregnant women. Folic acid,
or folate, is integral in
developing the neural
aspects of infantile health.
Neural tube defects have
been directly linked to a
deficiency in folic acid, so
adding squash to your diet
is always a good idea.

16. Squash for Asthmatic Conditions:
The antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory
properties of squash
have been linked to a
reduction in
asthmaticconditions,
primarily because the
irritation that
causes asthma can be
eliminated by eating a
diet high in squash.

17. Squash for Blood Circulation:
Many varieties of squash
have high levels of iron and
copper, both of which are
essential components of red
blood cells. What this means is
that with enough squash in
your diet, you can reduce your
chances of
developing anemia (iron
deficiency) and you can
generally increase circulation
within your bloodstream, which
can increase oxygenation,
brain function, and overall
energy levels.

18. Squash for Eye Health:
It may be hard to believe, but a
single serving of squash can contain
more than 400% of your daily
requirement for vitamin A, due to
the massive amount of beta-carotene
that is found in squash. Beta-
carotene can actually be split by an
enzyme to form vitamin-A, but the
body will only convert as much as is
necessary. In other words, eating
squash will give your body all the
vitamin A it needs, with plenty of beta-
carotene to spare. Beta-carotene is
an antioxidant compound that is
essential for good eye health. High
levels of beta-carotene have been
connected with reduced chances of
macular degeneration, cataracts,
glaucoma, and other vision issues.

19. Squash improves Bone Health:
The high levels of essential
vitamins found within
squash make it a very
important part of developing
bone matter and bone
mineral density. Squash is a
valuable source of zinc,
calcium, manganese, and
other very important trace
elements. This can help
reduce your chances of
developing osteoporosis as
you age, and ensure
strength and durability for
your bones.

20. Squash for Heart Health
Yellow squash contains
negligable fat and no
measurable cholesterol.
One cup of squash
contains about 0.2 g of
fat. Cutting down on
your fat and cholesterol
intake is a giant step
towards helping reduce
your risk of heart
disease

21. Squash for Colon Health
At 2.52 grams per
serving, the abundant
fiber content of yellow
squash is indispensable
for the excretion of toxins
from the body and is an
extremely important
nutrient for the colon’s
health since it promotes
regularity and adds bulk
to the stool.

22. Squash Prostate Health
Yellow squash has been
shown to alleviate the
symptoms of a condition
named benign prostatic
hypertrophy, or BPH. A
man with BPH suffers
from a problematically
enlarged prostate gland,
leading to difficulties
with both urinary and
sexual function.