Pumpkin seeds are flat and green, and they have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. They are an excellent addition to cereals, salads and cookie recipes, and they are a perfect afternoon snack. As it turns out, they are also extremely good for your health in some surprising and powerful ways. Read on to discover the ten most important reasons why adding eating more pumpkin seeds can improve and extend your life.
1) They can help arthritis sufferers:
Recent research on animals has shown that a diet rich in pumpkin seeds can reduce inflammatory symptoms just as effectively as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can. In addition, unlike some popular treatments for arthritis (such as indomethacin), pumpkin seeds do not raise lipid peroxide levels in your joint linings, and this means that your arthritis is likely to progress less quickly if you opt to reduce inflammation by eating plenty of pumpkin seeds.
2) They help to lower cholesterol levels:
Pumpkins are an excellent source of phytosterols, which help to promote healthy levels of LDL (i.e. ‘bad’) cholesterol). It is especially worth noting one recent study has shown that few snack foods can compare to pumpkin seeds in terms of phytosterol content; they are second only to pistachios and sunflower seeds.
3) They promote prostate health:
The oil that comes from pumpkin seeds has been proven to reduce a man’s risk of developing benign prostate hypertrophy. This condition tends to affect older men and involves prostate enlargement (leading to a frequent and uncomfortable urge to urinate). At the moment, the relationship between pumpkin seed oil and a decreased risk of prostate enlargement is not entirely clear, but scientists agree that the correlation is definitely present. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, and studies show that men who do not have enough zinc in their diet are more likely to suffer from an enlarged prostate.
4) They can help to treat certain parasites:
Pumpkin seeds are a traditional remedy for parasitic infections and tapeworms. In particular, research on their efficacy has shown that they are especially good at destroying acute schistosomiasis (which is a parasite that sometimes invades your body when you consume snails).
5) They have a positive influence on mood:
Eating pumpkin seeds provides you with a compound called L-tryptophan, which has been proven to naturally combat the symptoms of depression. In addition, some studies support the claim that the magnesium found in pumpkin seeds can help to reduce levels of tiredness and irritability.
6) They promote bone health:
The zinc found in pumpkin seeds can help to prevent a decrease in bone density, and studies have shown an especially strong link between eating pumpkin seeds and the prevention of osteoporosis in men.
7) They may improve bladder function:
Some research shows a link between regular consumption of pumpkin seeds and improved bladder function, although at this point these benefits have mainly been recorded as a result of studies conducted on animals.
8. They promote cardiovascular health:
Just half a cup of pumpkin seeds can provide you with a massive 92% of your recommended daily intake of magnesium. This is excellent news for your heart. For one thing, a high intake of magnesium reduces your likelihood of having a stroke, and it relaxes your blood vessels (making you less likely to suffer from irregular heart rhythms). Magnesium is also linked to healthy blood pressure, with one study proving that people who eat a diet containing the most magnesium (as well as potassium) reliably exhibit a reduction in blood pressure after just two months.
9) They may help to prevent you from developing cancer:
There is now some evidence to suppose that the phytosterols found in pumpkin seeds can also help to protect you from cancer. In particular, they appear to be able to reduce your risk of suffering from cancers of the breast and prostate. However, this health benefit of pumpkin seeds is contentious, and research is ongoing.
10) They can reduce the discomfort associated with premenstrual tension:
Given that pumpkin seeds are so rich in magnesium, they may also be able to reduce bloating, aching breasts and insomnia in women when they are expecting the onset of their monthly periods. Nutritional experts suggest combining magnesium with vitamin B6 in order to reduce these symptoms of premenstrual tension to an even greater degree.
As is obvious from the above health benefits, pumpkin seeds are a great addition to your diet if you want to improve your intake of important nutrients. They are available in all seasons, but they are freshest around October (when pumpkins themselves are at their best).
