Pumpkin Seed (250g)
Pumpkin seeds may be small, but they’re packed full of valuable nutrients. Eating only a small amount of them can provide you with a substantial quantity of healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc.
Because of this, pumpkin seeds have been associated with several health benefits. These include improved heart health, prostate health, and protection against certain cancers.
What’s more, these seeds can be easily incorporated into your diet.
- Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium, and many other nutrients. An ounce (28 grams) contains about 151 calories. It may help protect against disease and reduce inflammation.
- Linked to a Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers. Diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been associated with a reduced risk of stomach, breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers.
Pumpkin seeds may help relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges, causing problems with urination. Several studies in humans found that eating these seeds reduced symptoms associated with BPH ( Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) ie Prostate Enlargement
Very High in Magnesium - Pumpkin seeds are one of the best natural sources of magnesium — a mineral that is often lacking in the diets of many Western populations and in Ghana.
May Improve Heart Health - Pumpkin seeds are a good source of antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and fatty acids — all of which may help keep your heart healthy.
Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels - Studies have shown that pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed powder, and pumpkin juice can reduce blood sugar
High in Fiber - Pumpkin seeds are a great source of dietary fiber — shelled seeds provide 1.1 grams of fiber in a single 1-oz (28-gram) serving (30). A diet high in fiber can promote good digestive health.
In addition, high-fiber diets have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity
The high zinc content of pumpkin seeds may help improve sperm quality and fertility in men.
May Help Improve Sleep - If you have trouble sleeping, you may want to eat some pumpkin seeds before bed. They’re a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote sleep. Consuming around 1 gram of tryptophan daily is thought to improve sleep.
USAGE: Easy to Add to Your Diet. If you want to experience the benefits of pumpkin seeds, they’re easy to incorporate into your diet. In many countries, they’re a popular snack that can be eaten either raw or roasted, salted or unsalted.
- Besides eating them on their own, you can add them to smoothies, Greek yogurt, and fruit.
- You could incorporate them into meals by sprinkling them into salads, soups, or cereals.
- Some people use pumpkin seeds in baking, as an ingredient for sweet or savory bread and cakes.
However, as with many seeds and nuts, they contain phytic acid, which can reduce the bioavailability of some nutrients you eat.
If you eat seeds and nuts regularly, you may want to soak or sprout them to reduce their phytic acid content. Roasting them may help as well.
Remember, the key to getting long-lasting benefits from any food is to eat a balanced diet.
Note: Pumpkin seeds are to be used as part of a healthy lifestyle. For additional health and nutritional support call +233(55) 355 6279 and speak to our Naturopath at LifeWellness Wholistic and Ayurveda Center.