Nuts and seeds make up part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Pumpkin seeds, also called pepitas, boost your intake of several essential
nutrients. While both raw and roasted pumpkin seeds offer health benefits, raw
pumpkin seeds offer more nutritional value because some nutrients are destroyed
during the roasting process.
Pumpkin seeds are the flat, oval-shaped seeds of the pumpkin
or squash, both types of seeds have nearly identical benefits. Pumpkin seeds
are light green on the inside, but their hull is white. Most pumpkin seeds come
with their shell or endosperm still attached, particularly when they are eaten
after being roasted, the most common way of consuming them. They can, however,
be shelled, and the inner germ can be eaten for a healthy snack with less work
and chewing involved.
Nutritional
Value of Pumpkin Seeds
The staggering health benefits of pumpkin seeds come from
its unusual nutritional composition, including impressive levels of
manganese, tryptophan, magnesium, copper, phosphorous, zinc, iron, and protein,
as well as smaller amounts of B complex vitamins, and vitamin A. Furthermore,
pumpkin seeds have phytosterols, an organic compound that also contributes to
its healthy qualities. Let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits
of pumpkins seeds below.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
Antioxidant Activity: Cancer is one of the most
serious conditions that affects the human race, and we are constantly looking
for ways to reduce our chances of developing this dreaded disease. Pumpkin seed
extracts contain a number of anti-cancer properties and components, including phenolic
compounds that have directly been attributed to scavenging free radicals
in test subjects that were given pumpkin seed extracts. Antioxidants are
powerful substances that rid the body of free radicals, the dangerous
byproducts of cellular metabolism that can lead to a host of diseases,
including cancer! Furthermore, pumpkin seeds are good for relieving the
symptoms of an enlarged prostate, primarily due to its activity as a
diuretic. This keeps the prostate healthy, one of the most common places for
men to develop cancer.
Parasites: Pumpkin seeds have long been
associated with anti-parasitic activity, and has been used traditionally
as a way to eliminate tapeworms and other dangerous parasites in the body. For
children, who are the most susceptible to worms, pumpkin seeds provide a
delicious snack and a very important defensive line against those worms, which
can result in malnutrition, incorrect growth patterns, and even death. The
exact mechanism by which pumpkin seeds do this is somewhat unclear.
Inflammation and Arthritis: Certain studies have
shown that pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory properties in the body,
which is one of the common uses of this delicious snack. Inflammation can often
be the result of various deficiencies, including that of protein, various
vitamins, and minerals. Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can be
debilitating, so adding healthy amounts of proteins into your body to keep the
tissues healthy and repaired, as well as a good amount anti-inflammatory
compounds will prevent that from happening. Pumpkin seeds have been directly
associated with a decrease in inflammation and the associated pains of
arthritis.
Kidney Stones: Pumpkin seeds have been connected
with a reduction in toxins in the body, due to its diuretic properties, as well
as the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, they stimulate circulation and
increase the speed and processing of the livers and kidneys. Uric acid and
various other toxins are therefore removed from the body, which means they
cannot accumulate into dangerous kidney stones or other forms, like
gout and arthritis, as mentioned earlier. Pumpkin seeds promote the health of
the kidneys and helps to detoxify the body from top to bottom.
Body Metabolism: Our body functions at its
highest levels when all of our systems are working efficiently and healthily.
Having a stable and adequate amount of protein in your diet is essential,
because proteins are made up of amino acids, which can be used in thousands of
enzymatic and metabolic processes every day. Without those essential amino acids
and proteins, our bodies would cease being functional, and we would become
weak, lethargic, unhealthy, slow-witted, and generally exhausted. Pumpkin seeds
are a huge source of protein. 30% of pumpkin seed volume is made of
protein. There are 12 grams of protein in a single cup of pumpkin seeds, which
is approximately 25% of our daily requirement of protein.
Anxiety and Insomnia: If you’re feeling wired or
stressed after a long day, you can turn to pumpkin seeds to calm you down and
help you get a good night’s sleep. Pumpkin seeds are rich sources of both magnesium
and tryptophan, both of which are closely associated with sedation and
soothing qualities that stimulate sleep. Pumpkin seeds can help your head hit
the pillow in a peaceful, lasting way due to those two vital components.
Bone Health: Pumpkin seeds are extremely popular
due to their effects on osteoporosis. They have high levels of zinc,
calcium, copper, and assorted other minerals that are linked to increased bone
density. Studies have shown that consistent intake of pumpkin seeds can reduce
bone weakness and the symptoms of osteoporosis.
A Few Words of Caution: Pumpkin seeds are very
high in calories, so it can exacerbate obesity. Also, there has been limited
evidence that it can cause ejaculation problems for some men.