14 Amazing Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds! Benefits of eating pumpkin seeds are many, let’s check them out
- 1. Powerful Antioxidant
Pumpkin seeds have great antioxidant potential due to the presence of Vitamin E and carotenoids.
These antioxidants help in reducing inflammation and also protect our body from damage caused by free radicals. Thus, they provide us with protection from innumerable diseases.
- 2. Cardio-protective
Pumpkin seeds are very good for the health of our heart. Antioxidants in them protect our heart from various disorders.
Magnesium in pumpkin seeds helps to lower our blood pressure. Magnesium also lowers bad cholesterol (LDL ) levels and triglycerides. This reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Fibre present in pumpkin seeds also reduces cholesterol levels, thus protecting our heart.
- 3. Protects from Cancers
Consuming pumpkin seeds in good amount reduces the risk of gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers. This is due to the presence of powerful antioxidants in these seeds. Carotenoids in pumpkin seeds, benefits in preventing prostate cancer.
- 4. Helps in Management of Diabetes
Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps to lower blood sugar levels which is beneficial for people with diabetes mellitus. What is diabetes mellitus? Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, refers to a group of metabolic disorders that affects how our body uses blood sugar or glucose. Since pumpkin seeds prove to be useful in the management of diabetes, they can be included in your Diabetes Diet Plan.
- 5. Immunity Booster
Pumpkin seeds are good for our immune system due to the presence of vitamin E and zinc.
Vitamin E enhances immune responses and protects against several infectious diseases. It is also a powerful antioxidant and prevents free radicals from damaging healthy cells in our body.
Zinc protects our body from inflammation, allergies and invading pathogens, thus preventing infections and increasing overall immunity.
Pumpkin seeds exhibit antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
- 6. Improves Quality of Sleep
Amino acid tryptophan present in pumpkin seeds is good for sleep. It is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Both serotonin and melatonin help to induce sleep.
- 7. Good for Weight Loss
Pumpkin seeds benefits for weight loss are quite impressive as they are rich in proteins and fibre. They make us feel full for a long time, reduce our food intake and finally reduce the number of calories consumed. This helps in reduction of weight.
- 8. Good for Strong Bones
Pumpkin seeds are rich in Magnesium. Magnesium is good for growth and strength of bones. It has been observed that people with ample amounts of Magnesium in their diet tend to have a higher density of minerals in their bones. This helps to avoid risks like bone fractures and osteoporosis. Low levels of magnesium have also been linked to increased inflammation. Another side effect of Magnesium deficiency is that Calcium levels in the blood also get low. Every 100 grams of pumpkin seeds contains up to 262 mg of Magnesium. This amount is enough to cover 65% of your daily Magnesium requirement!
It also helps to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
- 9. Good for Prostate Health
Consumption of pumpkin seeds improves the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ( BPH ). Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. Zinc reduces the chances of prostate cancer. There is also limited data that suggests Pumpkin Seed oil may help to treat and prevent urinary diseases/disorders. This benefit needs to be studied further, however, and it was not tested using the seeds but the oil extracted from it.
- 10. Improves the Quality of Sperm
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. Zinc improves fertility in men. It increases the levels of testosterone and also the quality and quantity of sperms.
- 11. Good for Pregnancy
The pumpkin seeds can benefit during pregnancy as it contains a good amount of zinc. Zinc boosts immunity and helps in healthy growth of the baby. It is beneficial to consume zinc-rich foods in pregnancy.
- 12. Reduces Depression and Anxiety
Magnesium in pumpkin seeds helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It also calms our mind.
- 13. Good for our Hair
Pumpkin seeds benefits for hair may include promoting healthy, strong strands with their rich nutrients. Consuming it makes our hair strong and It also makes our hair silky and shiny.
- 14. Good for our Skin
Pumpkin seeds benefits for skin are noticeable. As it make our skin soft and wrinkle-free. It also prevents infections and keeps our skin acne-free.
