Pumpkin seed

Possible benefits of pumpkin seed: 

pumpkin-seeds

 

Agricultural origin: China

Allergens

  • Wheat: possible cross contamination
  • Gluten: possible cross contamination
  • Egg: absent
  • Milk: absent
  • Nuts: possible cross contamination

Nutritional values ( per 100 gram from supplier )

  • Energy: 2339 Kj / 559 Kcal
  • Fat: 49 g / of which saturated: 8.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10.7 g / of which sugar: 1.4 g
  • Fibers: 6 g
  • Protein: 30.2 g
  • Salt: 0.02 g

Bone health

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, which is important for bone formation. High magnesium intake is associated with a greater bone density and has been shown to decrease the risk of osteoporosis in women after menopause.

Protection from diabetes

Nutrients in pumpkins seeds may help protect against type 2 diabetes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the development of diabetes, and antioxidants may help reduce the risk. The seeds are a good source of magnesium. Studies have suggested that for every 100 milligrams (mg) a day increase in magnesium intake, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreases by approximately 15 percent. A 100-gram (g) serving of pumpkin seeds can contain over 90 mg of magnesium. Low magnesium levels can impair insulin secretion and lower insulin sensitivity.

Heart, liver and cardiovascular system health

The seeds contain healthful oils that may benefit the heart, the liver, and the cardiovascular system. Pumpkin seeds contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. This combination has benefits for both the heart and liver. The fiber in pumpkin seeds helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease. Research to date suggests that omega-3s can:

  • decrease the risk of thrombosis and arrhythmias, which lead to heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death
  • reduce LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
  • reduce atherosclerosis, a fatty buildup on the artery walls
  • improve endothelial function, a measure of circulatory health
  • slightly lower blood pressure

Pumpkin seeds have been found to contain sterols. In one investigation, scientists found that there were 265 mg of total sterols in every 100 g of pumpkin seed kernel. Plant sterols and phytosterols are known to help reduce levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Weight loss and digestion

Other benefits of a diet that is high in fiber include:

  • helping maintain a healthy weight, because the individual feels full for longer after eating
  • enhancing digestive health

Aid for the immune system

Pumpkin seed oil has a high content of vitamin E and other antioxidants. Vitamin E helps strengthen the immune system and maintain healthy blood vessels. The ODS recommend eating seeds as a source of vitamin E.

Prevention insomnia

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid. Tryptophan has been used to treat chronic insomnia because the body converts it into serotonin, the “feel-good” or “relaxing” hormone, and melatonin, the “sleep hormone.” Having a few pumpkin seeds before bed, with a small amount of carbohydrates such as a piece of fruit, may be beneficial in providing your body with the tryptophan needed for melatonin production.

Aid for pregnancy

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc. Researchers have determined that every 100 g of pumpkins seeds contains 7.99 mg of zinc. For male adults aged 19 years and above, the ODS recommend a daily intake of 11 mg of zinc and 8 mg for women. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that over 80 percent of women worldwide have an inadequate zinc intake. Low levels of zinc alter circulating levels of multiple hormones associated with the onset of labor. Nutritionists recommend additional zinc during pregnancy, as it is likely to improve health outcomes. Zinc is also essential for normal immune function and prevention of uterine infections. All of these could potentially contribute to preterm delivery.

Antioxidant activity

Antioxidants are considered to be “scavengers,”tasked with removing unwanted waste substances known as free radicals. If these substances remain in the body, there is a higher risk of a range of health problems. Antioxidants have a wide range of uses, including reducing inflammation. One study, published in 1995, found that, in rats with arthritis, symptoms improved after taking pumpkin seed oil. A German study, published in 2012, suggested that a high consumption of pumpkin seeds may be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Skin and eye health

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of squalene, an antioxidant compound that is similar to beta-carotene. Squalene occurs throughout all body tissues, and it appears to play a role in protecting the skin during UV and other types of radiation exposure. Animal studies have also suggested that squalene may play an important role in retinal health. Squalene may also offer protection from cancer, but more research is needed to prove this.

Sexual, prostate, and urinary health

Pumpkin seeds have traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac in some places. In an in-house study at Mansoura University in Egypt, rats consumed a pumpkin seed extract combined with zinc. The researchers concluded that pumpkin seeds may have a beneficial effect on sexual health status. A study published in 2009 suggested that pumpkin seed oil may be safe and effective as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Those who consumed 320 mg a day from the oil over 6 months saw a reduction in their symptoms and improved quality of life. In 2014, scientists found evidence that pumpkin seed oil might help treat urinary disorders in men and women. Treatment with the oil was linked to a reduction in symptoms of an overactive bladder.

Source reference

We have consulted scientific studies to substantiate additional information. You can find the source here:

national-institutes-of-health

health-line

united-states-department-of-agriculture

medical-news-today

ncib

american-heart-association