Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that drinking pumpkin juice reduces kidney stones and cholesterol. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A Facebook post claims that drinking pumpkin juice reduces leg pain, kidney stones, cholesterol, exhaustion, and acidity.
We have attached a screenshot of the post below:
Fact Check
Can drinking pumpkin juice reduce kidney stones and cholesterol?
Not exactly. No evidence confirms that drinking pumpkin juice reduces leg pain, kidney stones, cholesterol, exhaustion, and acidity. Evidence only shows that pumpkin has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce problems as mentioned in the claim. However, no scientific evidence supports the claim, and individual results may vary.
While pumpkin juice is a nutritious beverage with various potential health benefits, it is important to approach claims about its specific effects on kidney stones and cholesterol with caution.
Pumpkin juice is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can contribute to overall health and well-being. However, it is not a magical cure-all for the conditions mentioned. Leg pain, kidney stones, cholesterol levels, exhaustion, and acidity are complex health issues that may require comprehensive medical attention, including appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans.
Dietician Deblina Chatterjee informs, “Pumpkin cannot reduce kidney stones or cholesterol, but it has antioxidants that can help clean up harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are like tiny troublemakers in your body. They are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your cells”. She further adds, “Pumpkin juice contains vitamin C, Lutein and Zeaxanthin. These are potent antioxidants which helps to reduce oxidative stress. This further removes toxins from the body by killing free radicals”.
Dr Sharad Malhotra, Gastroenterologist at the Akash Hospital Dwarka informs, “Diet can reduce kidney stones and cholesterol to a certain extent. However people must not rely on them completely to cure these conditions. In context with pumpkin juice, it has a property of increasing the urine volume and possibly some effect on uric acid levels. However whether this translates into reduction of kidney stones is unclear. Also pumpkin juice has antioxidants in them so some little change can appear in lipid levels but it cannot be useful for treatment of cholesterol levels”.
People often believe that simple home remedies can cure health problems like kidney stones and high cholesterol. However, we’ve checked these claims and found them to have a missing context.
For example, some people say that a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice can cure kidney stones, but this is not true. We have also looked into the idea that a plant called Kalanchoe pinnata with honey can treat gallstones, and that is not true either.
Similarly, there are claims that certain foods can magically cure high cholesterol. One of these claims is that eating chikki (a type of peanut sweet) can reduce bad cholesterol, but our research shows that it does not work. Another claim suggests that a drink made with Guarana powder and orange can cure poor memory, fatigue, and high cholesterol, but there is no strong evidence to support this.
In summary, while home remedies can be helpful for some things, they may not work for serious health issues like kidney stones, gallstones, or high cholesterol. It’s important to rely on proven medical treatments and advice from healthcare professionals for these conditions.
What can be the challenges of relying solely on a pumpkin to reduce kidney stones and cholesterol?
Relying solely on a pumpkin to address leg pain, kidney stones, cholesterol, exhaustion, and acidity can present several challenges:
- Incomplete nutritional profile: While pumpkins are nutritious, they do not provide all the essential nutrients required for overall health and specific conditions. Depending solely on pumpkin may lead to nutritional deficiencies and imbalances, which could potentially worsen existing health issues.
- Insufficient treatment for underlying causes: Kidney stones and cholesterol can have various underlying causes. Pumpkin alone may not address these root causes. Treating these conditions effectively often requires a comprehensive approach that considers lifestyle modifications, medication, and targeted treatments, which pumpkin alone may not provide.
- Individual variability: Each person’s health condition is unique, and what works for one individual may not work for another. Relying solely on a pumpkin may overlook individual variations in response to treatment, potentially delaying appropriate and effective interventions.
- Delaying or neglecting medical care: Relying solely on pumpkin as a remedy might lead to delayed or neglected medical care. It is crucial to consult healthcare professionals for accurate diagnosis, monitoring, and appropriate treatments. Neglecting professional medical advice can be detrimental to one’s health and may exacerbate existing conditions.
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