9 Incredible Benefits of Pumpkin Juice

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

While pumpkin juice has only recently gained a global following, it has been known by vegetarians and natural health fans for many years due to its broad range of nutrients and positive effects on health. Pumpkins are scientifically known as Cucurbita pepo and are technically types of squash, although pumpkins are certainly the most famous. Native to North America, there are quite a few different species of pumpkin, varying in size, color, and shape, but their chemical makeup and nutritional benefits are largely the same. While pumpkin seeds and flesh are often used in culinary applications, such as baked pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie, respectively, pumpkin juice was less widely used until quite recently.

Pumpkin juice is produced by juicing the flesh of small, “sweet” pumpkins into a thick, delicious beverage that can be enjoyed around harvest season. Packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, biotin, various amino acids, beta-carotene, B-family vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, and natural sugars, all of which can affect the body in different ways. Drinking pumpkin juice is also easier than finding different forms to eat regular pumpkin, so many people choose this option, particularly if they are fans of juices. There are several unique side effects associated with pumpkin, so use caution when drinking or speak with your doctor. Although, most people do not experience any negative side effects. [1]

Benefits of Pumpkin Juice

The many fascinating benefits of pumpkin juice include protecting the heart, detoxifying the body, improving the digestive process, aiding sleep, soothing nausea, stimulating the immune system, healing the skin, speeding healing, and boosting circulation, among others.

May Improve Heart Health

There are quite a few powerful antioxidants in pumpkin juice, which may include polyphenolic compounds and beta-carotene, both of which can help reduce cholesterol deposits and prevent the hardening of the arteries. This is in addition to the juice’s ability to lower blood pressure, which can help to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. [2]

May Improve Digestion

Pumpkin juice possesses notable levels of dietary fiber, which is ideal for stimulating the digestive system. Fiber can help to bulk up the stool and stimulate peristaltic motion, which can relieve constipation, bloating, and cramping, while also optimizing nutrient uptake and balancing the microflora environment of the gut. [3]

Two glass jars filled with pumpkin juice kept atop a table next to pumpkins

Fresh pumpkin juice in two glasses Photo Credit: Shutterstock

May Boost Immunity

The vitamin C levels found in pumpkin juice are quite possibly very high, which makes this juice great for those who want to boost their immune system. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can stimulate the production of white blood cells and act as an antioxidant in the body, helping to reduce oxidative stress. [4]

May Help Induce Sleep

One of the more peculiar properties of pumpkin juice is its possible function as a sedative. This is due to some of the active ingredients, namely magnesium and tryptophan, which release neurotransmitters in the body that induce sleep. This is great for people suffering from insomnia or who regularly have interrupted sleep; a glass before bed can work wonders. [5]

May Detoxify the Body

If you want to improve your kidney or liver health, few vegetable juices are better than pumpkin. It can stimulate liver function and increase detoxification efforts by the body, while also possibly inducing urination, which may further cleanse the body of dangerous toxins. [6]

May Reduce Inflammation

Some of the active ingredients in pumpkin juice are known to be anti-arthritic, meaning that they can cut down on inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with arthritis. A glass of this juice each morning is a popular choice for many who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. [7]

May Aid in Skin Care

Vitamin C and E are both antioxidant substances that can help clear up irritation or inflammation of the skin which may be caused by oxidative stress or outside pathogens, while beta-carotene is also associated with glowing, healthy-looking skin. Pumpkin juice may contain all of these vitamins in significant amounts! [8]

May Improve Healing Speed

With the combination of possibly cooling effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and various antioxidants, drinking this juice can help to speed up the recovery time from an illness, as well as the healing speed of injuries or surgeries. [9]

May Help Treat Nausea

For pregnant women, pumpkin juice is often turned to for its anti-nausea effects. Morning sickness affects almost all pregnant women at one point or another, but pumpkin juice can quickly settle the stomach, re-balance acid levels and soothe anxiety and nerves. This is due to this juice’s sedative qualities. [10]

Side Effects of Pumpkin Juice

Despite the many impressive health benefits of this juice, it can also cause bleeding disorders, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and allergic reactions.

  • Stomach Problems – Some people have reported that drinking pumpkin juice can cause severe stomach upset, including nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping. For people with sensitive stomachs, start with a small amount of juice and see how your body reacts.
  • Allergic Reactions – Allergies to pumpkins do exist, so oral intake of pumpkin juice can cause inflammation of the stomach, swelling on the lips, tongue, and gum, as well as itching, redness, and shortness of breath.
  • Bleeding Issues – There are anticoagulant properties of pumpkin juice that are very good for heart health. These help in preventing blood clots from forming, but when combined with other anticoagulant drugs, pumpkin juice can exacerbate a bleeding disorder, and therefore, should not be consumed before an operation.

How to Make Pumpkin Juice?

Making your pumpkin juice is a relatively simple process, provided you have a strong juicer and a bit of time to slice up and peel a pumpkin! There are quite a few different recipes for pumpkin juice, but the recipe below is a simple and popular version with a sweet and rich taste. Take a look at the recipe below.

Two glass jars filled with pumpkin juice kept atop a table next to pumpkins

Pumpkin Juice Recipe: The Best Drink for the Fall Season

Pumpkin juice makes for a deliciously healthy treat!
4.5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Juice
Cuisine: Mediterranean, American, Canadian
Keyword: pumpkin, pumpkin juice
Appliance: Blender
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Ishani Bose

Ingredients

  • 1 small sweet pumpkin
  • 4 ice cubes
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (as per your taste)
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg (as per your taste)
  • 1 tsp ground clove (as per your taste)

Instructions

  • To make pumpkin juice, thoroughly wash the outside of the pumpkin.
  • Using a large vegetable peeler or a knife, remove the hard outer skin of the pumpkin.
  • Cut the pumpkin into quarters and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
  • Slice the remaining pumpkin pieces into smaller chunks that can fit in a juicer.
  • Add the pumpkin to your juicer and juice normally.
  • Stir in the spices to taste, and serve chilled over ice.

Notes

You can add other spices, as per your preference, to the juice to enhance its taste. Furthermore, you can add apricot, apple cider, peach or pear nectar to the juice as the combination goes very well. Avocado pulp can also be added if you want a thicker consistency. Vanilla extract and pumpkin juice too complement each other very well. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to suit your taste.

Connect With Us

If you have tried this recipe, we would love your feedback in the comments section below. And while we can’t taste it, we would love to see how it turned out! You can connect with us on Facebook or Instagram and tag your picture with #organicfactsrecipes. [11] [12]

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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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