Pumpkin seeds, known scientifically as Cucurbita maximum, have many health benefits as they are rich in healthy fats, omega-3, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like magnesium and iron.
As a result, these seeds can be eaten regularly to improve heart and brain function, promote intestinal health, and reduce inflammation in the body due to various diseases. Below, we’ve listed the main health advantages you will enjoy if you include the seeds in your diet.
1.Encourage Relaxation and Enhance Wellness
These seeds contain a large amount of magnesium and tryptophan, substances that work on the brain and help fight excess stress, fatigue and boost memory
2. Weight Loss
Squash seeds are high in fiber, which gives a greater feeling of satiety. Hence, the person eating can reduce his/her food portions, eat fewer calories, and effectively lose weight.
Fibre also helps control the absorption of sugar in the intestines, making it more stable in the blood and reducing anxiety. They should therefore, be included in the diet in parallel with a healthy diet and physical activity.
3. Build Muscular Mass
These seeds are an excellent protein source, so anyone looking to increase their muscle mass can include them in salads, smoothies, yogurt, cereals, or even snacks.
4. Protect the Body’s Cells
Because of their high content of antioxidants like vitamin E and carotenoids, pumpkin seeds help protect the body’s cells against the effect of free radicals, which helps reduce inflammation and the risk of certain types of cancer, including colon, prostate, stomach, and breast cancer.
5. Reduce Inflammation
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of omega 3, which has an anti-inflammatory effect against stress or diseases that can cause a state of inflammation in the body, also protects the body against cerebral and cardiovascular diseases.
6. Improve Thyroid and Prostate Health
Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, an essential mineral for strengthening the immune system and regulating thyroid function. Some studies have shown that daily consumption of these seeds reduces the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia and improves quality of life.
7. Combat Intestinal Parasites
These seeds have been used as a home remedy to fight intestinal parasites, as they have an antiparasitic and anthelmintic action and can be used in children and adults.
8. Fight Anemia
These seeds are an excellent plant source of iron, so they help fight anemia and can also be eaten by vegans or vegetarians to increase iron intake in the body.
A source of vitamin C must be ingested with the seeds to promote its absorption in the intestine. Some foods rich in vitamin C are orange, tangerine, papaya, strawberries, and kiwi.
9. Fighting Abdominal Pain
Pumpkin seeds help to fight stomach pain and colic that are generated during premenstrual syndrome because they contain magnesium. This mineral acts by decreasing muscle contraction and nerve function and, therefore, menstrual pain.
10. Care for Your Heart Health
These seeds contain phytosterols, magnesium, zinc, good fatty acids, and omega-3, which help maintain heart health because they have a cardioprotective effect. They help control blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk, lower cholesterol levels, and control blood sugar levels.
11. Regulate blood sugar levels
Due to its high fiber and magnesium content, pumpkin seeds help regulate blood sugar levels, which is very important for people with diabetes and for people suffering from obesity with insulin resistance or hyperinsulinism.
How to Consume Them
- Dried
Properly dried pumpkin seeds can be used whole in a salad or soup, for example, or as an aperitif in snacks, when sprinkled with a little salt and powdered ginger, as is the case in Greece.
However, don’t add too much salt, especially if you have high blood pressure. Eating about 10 to 15 grams of seeds per day for a week is excellent for eliminating intestinal parasites.
- Crushed
They can be added to cereals, yogurt, or fruit juices. To grind them, simply place them in a blender or food processor.
Do you know any specific recipe where pumpkin seeds are used? Leave it the comment section below.
