Short Answer: If you accidentally ate raw pumpkin, you may have some digestive discomfort, but nothing serious will happen.
Raw pumpkin is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family.
It has a hard, thick skin and a bright orange flesh that is rich in vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and other nutrients.
Raw pumpkin has a fresh, somewhat bitter flavor and a fibrous, stringy texture.
Because it can be difficult to eat on its own, it’s usually puréed or grated.
If you accidentally eat raw pumpkin, nothing serious will happen.
You may experience some digestive discomfort, such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea, due to the high fiber content and the presence of antinutrients in raw pumpkin.
Antinutrients are compounds that impair the absorption of certain minerals in your body, such as iron, zinc, and calcium.
However, these effects are usually mild and temporary, and may not occur at all if you eat raw pumpkin in moderation.
It is quite uncommon to eat raw pumpkin due to its unpleasant taste and texture.
Most people prefer eating it cooked or roasted, which makes it sweeter and softer.
Cooking also reduces the amount of antinutrients and increases the availability of some antioxidants in pumpkin.
You can ease any digestive discomfort caused by eating raw pumpkin by drinking plenty of water and eating some probiotic foods, such as yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut.
These foods can help restore the balance of your gut bacteria and improve your digestion.
To avoid accidental eating of raw pumpkin, you should always wash and peel it before cutting it into pieces.
You should also store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
If you want to eat raw pumpkin, you should choose a small, sweet variety, such as sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin, and consume it in small amounts.
Read Next
Finally, remember, raw pumpkin is safe to eat, but it may not be very enjoyable or beneficial for your health.
You may want to try cooking it or adding it to smoothies, salads, or baked goods instead.
