What do you do with the leftover pumpkin seeds after eating a pumpkin?
If you throw them, the below listed health benefits of pumpkin will convince you not to do it next time. Pumpkin seeds are one of the healthiest food items to eat. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and numerous other beneficial elements. Incorporating them into your daily life will only make you healthier.
Here is everything about the nutritional value of pumpkin seeds.
- Pumpkin seeds are full of calories, fats, nutrients, proteins, and fibers. The consumption of 100 grams of seeds serves 574 calories of energy, 49 grams of fat, and 30 grams of protein.
- The fats in these seeds are not bad, but good polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, healthy for your body.
- Pumpkin is laden with numerous vitamins – Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
- Besides vitamins, pumpkin seeds also include minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese.
What are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin?
Adding pumpkin to your daily diet will serve you the below-listed health benefits.
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Rick in Antioxidants
Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants. The presence of vitamin E and carotenoids in pumpkin help reduce inflammation. It also protects your body from the damage caused by free radicals. Eating these seeds boosts your immunity and protects you against several diseases.
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Maintenance of Heart Health
One of the best benefits of pumpkin seeds is they help you maintain your heart health. The composition of antioxidants in these seeds protects your heart from many disorders. Magnesium in pumpkin seeds lowers your blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. The whole process cuts down the damage to your heart. The fiber in these seeds also helps to reduce cholesterol levels.
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Protection from Cancer
Several studies have stated that the consumption of pumpkin seeds in good amounts regularly may reduce the risk of breast, gastric and colorectal cancers. It is due to the presence of powerful antioxidants in this ingredient. Eating pumpkin seeds also prevents prostate cancer.
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Management of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and many people fall prey to the same. You can now manage diabetes by including pumpkin seeds into your daily diet. This ingredient is rich in magnesium which helps to lower blood sugar levels. If you suffer from diabetes mellitus, including pumpkin seeds in your daily diet should be a must.
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Better Mood and Mental Health
Nowadays, stress has become the primary cause of the problems like depression and insomnia. You can control stress by consuming pumpkin seeds on regular basis. They are an excellent source of magnesium. Magnesium is often touted as a chill-out mineral by various scientists and health experts. It helps promote relaxation and deep restorative sleep by maintaining healthy levels of GABA. This neurotransmitter helps to calm your mind and body.
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Aids Digestion
As pumpkin seeds are high in fiber, you can get rid of many digestive problems by consuming them regularly. High-fiber levels of pumpkin are also associated with a reduced risk of obesity. Your digestion improves, thus keeping your internal system clean and healthy.
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Better Sexual Health in Men
One of the most underrated health benefits of pumpkin is for men’s sexual health. Low zinc levels are often associated with reduced sperm quality and an increased risk of infertility in men. However, it doesn’t happen when you consume these seeds regularly. The daily consumption of this ingredient not only increases the number of sperm in men but its overall quality too. Besides this, the consumption of these seeds also contributes to healthy testosterone levels.
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Good For Weight Loss
Your constant struggle with losing weight or managing a healthy weight will end if you consume pumpkin seeds regularly. They are rich in fiber and protein, thus making you feel full for a longer time. This way, you do not experience pangs of hunger and keep your calorie count in check. You can also use pumpkin seeds as your snacking meal.
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Stronger than Ever Bones
The amount of calcium and magnesium present in pumpkin seeds helps maintain healthy and strong bones. Magnesium is good for the growth and strength of bones. People with ample amounts of this nutrient barely suffer from bone issues. Adding pumpkin into your diet will serve the same health benefit you.
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Good for Pregnant Women
Pumpkin is considered a superfood for pregnant women. The amount of zinc present in these seeds may boost the baby’s immunity and accelerate their healthy growth. Many doctors suggest eating foods rich in zinc during pregnancy.
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No More Parasites in the Stomach
Having parasites in your stomach is not a healthy sign. You may fall prey to allergies, infections, and other health conditions that may take a toll on your overall well-being. Consumption of these seeds keeps parasites at bay. The compound cucurbitacin present in this ingredient helps prevent tapeworms and roundworms. Eating raw pumpkins will help you flush parasites from your body.
Pumpkin Seeds are Easy to Add To Your Diet
One of the best things about pumpkin seeds is that they are easy to add to your diet. Pumpkin seeds are a popular snack that you can eat raw, roasted, salted, or unsalted. Besides this, there are many ways to incorporate them into your daily diet.
- You can make your favorite smoothie and add pumpkin seeds to add extra flavor and crunch.
- Pumpkin seeds can also be added to Greek Yogurt and fruit salad as a seasoning, thus making it a delicious snack.
- If you are fond of eating soup, add pumpkin seeds to add a different flavor to your soup.
- Besides this, you can add these seeds to several snacks such as cereals, cakes, bread, energy bars, and stir-fries.
Pumpkin seeds have many health benefits. They are easy to add to your daily diet. So, why wait. Order them online or buy them from your nearest supermarket. Enjoy the crunch and experience the many health benefits.
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