The Incredible Health Benefits of the Humble Pumpkin

Beyond Fall decorations, pumpkins have a diverse array of health benefits—from protecting us from cancer to cleansing us of intestinal parasites.

Come fall, pumpkins are ubiquitous. In the kitchen, their sweet, creamy flesh works well with a wide range of dishes and flavors. Vewfinder/Shutterstock

In North America, fall is the season of golden leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkins. Pumpkins were once far more than just decorations and flavoring for our favorite latte; they were an integral and bountiful food.

Native tribes have been growing pumpkins since at least 5,000 B.C., making them one of the oldest cultivated crops in North America. Archeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds in Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on those findings, pumpkins are thought to have originated in Central America more than 7,500 years ago.