10 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

I’ve always loved salted, roasted pumpkin seeds (also called ‘papitas’) –they make a good snack and are loaded with plenty of nutrients. They also make a healthy addition to your breakfast cereals, granola bars and smoothies.

In this hub I would let you know how much healthy it is to eat pumpkin seeds. 

As I’ve talked about nuts & seeds being a stress-reliever in my article about foods that help you relax, pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, an amino acid that is effective against depression and help your mind relax. This amino acid is responsible for the production of serotonin , a hormone that brings sleep and relaxation. These also contain glutamate that is required in the synthesis of GABA, an anti-stress neuro-chemical. So, keep a pack of roasted, toasted pumpkin seeds at hand if you feel stressed, or have depression.

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of vitamin E, which is known to be a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E prevents tissue cells from the free radical mediated oxidant injury. Selenium, another mineral found in pumpkin seeds, is also an anti-oxidant and helps strengthen our immune system. Thus, consumption of a handful of pumpkin seeds daily would help strengthening your immune system and help your body develop resistance against many infectious diseases.

The vitamin B-complex in pumpkin seeds is the key to healthy growth of our hair and nails. Biotin, a part of B-complex vitamin, help grow healthy hair, while thiamine is essential nutrient that works in conjunction with other parts of B-complex. It also triggersvitamin C metabolism, and choline. So, if you want to have a shiny mane and steel nails, make sure you include pumpkin seeds in your diet any way.

Research has shown that pumpkin seeds prevent calcium oxalate stone formation in kidneys. In a study conducted on animals, pumpkin seeds extract showed improved bladder functioning. These may also help dissolve kidney and gallbladder stones if taken regularly. So, make sure you snack on pumpkin seeds along with other healthy snacks.

Prostate gland enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy or BPH) is a condition that affects masses worldwide. An important reason for this syndrome is the over-stimulation of prostate cells by testosterones and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) . Pumpkin seeds oil helps resist prostate cell multiplication that leads to prostate gland enlargement. Also, the carotenoids found in pumpkin seeds are said to help prevent prostate gland enlagment in men on the basis of the fact that carotenoids in general reduce the risk of having BPH. So, for the men out there: start snacking on pumpkin seeds!

Pumpkin seeds are rich in phytosterols , compounds that have a similar structure to cholesterol but they help reducing cholesterol in blood. A 100g of pumpkin seeds contain 265mg of phytosterol . Also, the mono-unsaturated fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds help lower LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’. This in turn increases the ‘good cholesterol’ or HDL in the blood. So, if you have to go for fatty food, give pumpkin seeds a try.

The phytosterols in pumpkin seeds also fight and protect against many types of cancers including lung, breast, ovarian, and stomach cancer. These compounds function by preventing cancer cells from production, multiplication and growth in certain part of the body. That’s something worth paying attention to; prevention is something we all should go for. Start snacking on pumpkin seeds for a healthy life.

Pumpkin seeds have great anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of pumpkin seeds on arthritis inflammation is comparable with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin which increases the level of damaged fats in the joints as a side effect. But unlike the drug, pumpkin seeds have no such side effects. Studies have shown how much helpful pumpkin seeds are in relieving arthritis inflammation symptoms. So, if any one you know is suffering from arthritis, you can recommend them pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds have anti-fungal, anti-parasitic properties which enable them to keep a check on our digestive system for any foreign bodies. Traditionally, the pumpkin seeds have been used to cure inflammation or infection of intestines and digestive tract caused by parasites and other germs. Studies have shown that adding pumpkin seeds to the bread help it digest better and its nutrients absorb fully. So, next time you’ve any digestive problem, go for some pumpkin seeds.

Due to their high zinc content, pumpkin seeds can prevent osteoporosis in premenstrual women and older men since osteoporosis is linked with low zinc intake. Around 1oz. of pumpkin seeds contains 2mg of zinc. Daily recommended amount of zinc for men over 19 years is 11mg while for the women in the same age bracket it is 9mg. This translates to 5.5oz of pumpkin seeds for an average man, and 4.5oz for an average woman to be taken daily to prevent any diseases related to low zinc intake.

So, don’t underestimate these small seeds, for pumpkin seeds are full of healthy benefits and make a healthy snack to go for.