* anti-inflammatory : Squash also offers anti-inflammatory benefits. This vegetable is a natural choice for protection against unwanted inflammation, due to the presence of omega-3 fats in the seeds of summer squash, the presence of anti-inflammatory agents like lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, and of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides like homogalacturonan. Preliminary animal studies have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory protection from summer squash for the cardiovascular system and also for the GI tract.
* anti-microbial : The seeds of summer squash and oils which are extracted from its seeds have a long history of use in botanical and folk medicine. Summer squash seeds have been shown to have anti-microbial properties. In particular squash has good anti-parasitic properties. In fact, in some parts of the world, dried summer squash seeds have longed been used for treatment of intestinal tapeworms or other intestinal parasites. Another area of folk medicine use of summer squash involves non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The seeds of summer squash, along with oils from those seeds, have traditionally been used to help reduce frequency of urination which is commonly experienced in men who are diagnosed with BPH.
* anti-cancer : Summer squash is also said to offer anti-cancer benefits. The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients which are found in summer squash is a very rationalnutrient combination for the provision of anti-cancer benefits. The development of many cancer types is seen as depending on chronic, unwanted oxidative stress which can occur along with poor intake of antioxidant nutrients, and chronic, unwanted inflammation which can occur along with lack of anti-inflammatory nutrients. However, research dealing with the anti-cancer benefits from summer squash is still in a preliminary stage. Nevertheless, overall the evidence points to a consideration of summer squash as being an unusually healthy vegetable.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:fruit & vegetables]]