Spaghetti squash is a vegetable that is grown in the winter. It gets its name because when it is cooked and scooped out from its rind, it resembles spaghetti strands. Spaghetti squash is dramatically lower in calories than run-of-the-mill pasta, with just 42 calories per cup. While it does not provide as much protein or iron as pasta, the squash contains plenty of vitamins that contribute to overall health.
Potassium
Spaghetti squash's most abundant vitamin is potassium. The vegetable contains 181mg of potassium per cup. Potassium plays a number of roles in maintaining human health. In general, it is important for metabolism and cell function. It also helps muscles grow and maintains normal heart activity.
Vitamins A and C
Like other yellow vegetables, spaghetti squash contains a high dose of vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, at about 170mg per cup. Vitamin A helps keep skin healthy and protects the immune system. It can also keep a person's digestive and urinary systems functioning at an optimum level.
Spaghetti squash also contains 5.4mg of vitamin C per cup. Vitamin C is essential for skin cell production and healing. Like beta-carotene, it is an antioxidant, which means it helps combat the damaging effects of free radicals in the body.
Calcium and Sodium
After potassium, calcium and sodium are the two most abundant minerals found in spaghetti squash. Per cup, there are 33mg of calcium and 28mg of sodium in spaghetti squash. Calcium is crucial for growing and maintaining bones in the human body. Up until the age of 29 or so, the human body's bones continue to grow.
After that, getting a proper amount of calcium keeps the bones from decaying. Calcium also helps maintain muscle and nerve control, prevents blood clots and maintains proper blood pressure. Sodium also helps maintain blood pressure as well as blood volume. Its most essential function is keeping one's nerves and muscles working properly.
Phosphorus and Magnesium
A cup of spaghetti squash contains 22mg of phosphorus and 17mg of magnesium. Phosphorus is found mainly in the bones and teeth. It also helps the body translate carbohydrates into proteins to help maintain cells and tissues. Phosphorus is essential for the production of ATP, which allows the body to store energy. Magnesium's most important function is helping produce and transport energy from food. It also assists the way muscles work and helps produce protein.
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