Pumpkin seeds are small, flat seeds that come from pumpkins. They are very nutritious and provide many health benefits if you eat them regularly. Here are 15 reasons why eating pumpkin seeds every day is good for your body:
Our bodies need to maintain a healthy balance between acids and alkalis (the opposite of acids). Many common foods we eat create acidic waste when digested. Too much acid is bad for our cells and can increase inflammation and disease risk. Pumpkin seeds are unique because they create alkaline (non-acidic) waste instead of acid when digested. This alkaline waste helps neutralize excess acid in the body, keeping cells healthy.
2. Lower Bad Cholesterol
There are two main types of cholesterol - LDL (bad) and HDL (good). Too much LDL cholesterol can build up and clog arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, pumpkin seeds contain plant compounds called phytosterols that help reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels without affecting the "good" HDL cholesterol.
3. Reduce Arthritis Swelling and Pain
Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint swelling, stiffness and pain due to inflammation. Pumpkin seeds contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can lessen this swelling and stiffness. Studies on arthritic rats showed that pumpkin seed oil decreased joint inflammation and improved mobility. The zinc and other plant compounds in pumpkin seeds also help reduce arthritis pain and swelling.
4. Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are solid masses that form when certain minerals become too concentrated in the kidneys, causing severe pain. Pumpkin seed extracts can lower high levels of the minerals that form the most common type of kidney stones (calcium oxalate stones). Compounds in pumpkin seeds help prevent stones from forming by keeping mineral levels balanced.
5. Promote Better Sleep
Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid tryptophan, which the body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin - brain chemicals that regulate sleep cycles. Eating pumpkin seeds, especially with carbs, can boost the body's natural production of these sleep-promoting chemicals for deeper, higher-quality sleep.
6. Support Heart Health
The heart needs many different nutrients and minerals to function properly. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Getting enough magnesium from pumpkin seeds also reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions.
7. Fight Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the body over long periods contributes to many modern diseases and faster ageing. The omega-3 fatty acids in pumpkin seeds have potent anti-inflammatory effects that help fight inflammation throughout the body. Omega-3s support heart health, and brain function and provide many other benefits when you don't get enough from fish.
8. Expel Intestinal Parasites
Sometimes tiny parasites or worms can invade the digestive tract from contaminated food or water, causing problems. Pumpkin seeds have been traditionally used as a natural remedy to help remove these unwanted organisms from the intestines. Certain compounds in the seeds are thought to kill parasites and create an environment that expels them.
9. Boost Immunity
The immune system is the body's defence against illness and infections. Immune cells need the mineral zinc to function properly. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, which enhances immune cell activity. Getting enough zinc from pumpkin seeds helps the immune system mount a strong defence against viruses, bacteria, and other threats.
10. Balance Blood Sugar
Keeping blood sugar levels balanced and preventing spikes is important for health, especially as you get older. Compounds and nutrients in pumpkin seeds, like magnesium, help stabilize blood sugar levels after digestion. Studies show pumpkin seed oil can lower blood glucose and improve insulin regulation in diabetic animals.
11. Build Healthy Blood
Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body while removing waste. Pumpkin seeds provide iron for forming healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen. They also have vitamin K for proper blood clotting function. Getting these nutrients promotes circulation and prevents anaemia.
12. Strengthen Bones
Weak, porous bones with low mineral density lead to osteoporosis and fractures. The nutrients in pumpkin seeds work together to improve bone strength and density as you age. They provide zinc, magnesium, healthy fats, antioxidants, and plant compounds that all support bone health.
13. Improve Prostate Health
As men get older, many develop an enlarged prostate gland that causes urinary issues. Pumpkin seed extracts have been shown to help shrink enlarged prostates. Studies confirm pumpkin seeds reduce prostate size, urinary frequency and other symptoms of BPH (benign prostate enlargement) in men.
14. Regrow Hair
For men with male pattern baldness, pumpkin seed oil may help regrow hair by blocking DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. Taking pumpkin seed oil orally or applying it to the scalp appears to reduce DHT levels and stimulate new hair growth in balding areas.
15. Ease Menopause Symptoms
The hormonal changes of menopause often cause unpleasant symptoms in women. Nutrients in pumpkin seeds can help combat these issues. They provide lignans that balance hormones, tryptophan for better sleep, anti-inflammatory omega-3s that reduce hot flashes, and minerals that strengthen bones.
In summary, the wide variety of beneficial nutrients in pumpkin seeds provides many great health benefits if consumed daily. From reducing inflammation and cholesterol to improving sleep, bone density, and more, these nutritious seeds pack a powerful punch for overall wellness.
2. Lower Bad Cholesterol
There are two main types of cholesterol - LDL (bad) and HDL (good). Too much LDL cholesterol can build up and clog arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, pumpkin seeds contain plant compounds called phytosterols that help reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels without affecting the "good" HDL cholesterol.
3. Reduce Arthritis Swelling and Pain
Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint swelling, stiffness and pain due to inflammation. Pumpkin seeds contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can lessen this swelling and stiffness. Studies on arthritic rats showed that pumpkin seed oil decreased joint inflammation and improved mobility. The zinc and other plant compounds in pumpkin seeds also help reduce arthritis pain and swelling.
4. Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are solid masses that form when certain minerals become too concentrated in the kidneys, causing severe pain. Pumpkin seed extracts can lower high levels of the minerals that form the most common type of kidney stones (calcium oxalate stones). Compounds in pumpkin seeds help prevent stones from forming by keeping mineral levels balanced.
5. Promote Better Sleep
Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid tryptophan, which the body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin - brain chemicals that regulate sleep cycles. Eating pumpkin seeds, especially with carbs, can boost the body's natural production of these sleep-promoting chemicals for deeper, higher-quality sleep.
6. Support Heart Health
The heart needs many different nutrients and minerals to function properly. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Getting enough magnesium from pumpkin seeds also reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions.
7. Fight Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the body over long periods contributes to many modern diseases and faster ageing. The omega-3 fatty acids in pumpkin seeds have potent anti-inflammatory effects that help fight inflammation throughout the body. Omega-3s support heart health, and brain function and provide many other benefits when you don't get enough from fish.
8. Expel Intestinal Parasites
Sometimes tiny parasites or worms can invade the digestive tract from contaminated food or water, causing problems. Pumpkin seeds have been traditionally used as a natural remedy to help remove these unwanted organisms from the intestines. Certain compounds in the seeds are thought to kill parasites and create an environment that expels them.
9. Boost Immunity
The immune system is the body's defence against illness and infections. Immune cells need the mineral zinc to function properly. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, which enhances immune cell activity. Getting enough zinc from pumpkin seeds helps the immune system mount a strong defence against viruses, bacteria, and other threats.
10. Balance Blood Sugar
Keeping blood sugar levels balanced and preventing spikes is important for health, especially as you get older. Compounds and nutrients in pumpkin seeds, like magnesium, help stabilize blood sugar levels after digestion. Studies show pumpkin seed oil can lower blood glucose and improve insulin regulation in diabetic animals.
11. Build Healthy Blood
Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body while removing waste. Pumpkin seeds provide iron for forming healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen. They also have vitamin K for proper blood clotting function. Getting these nutrients promotes circulation and prevents anaemia.
12. Strengthen Bones
Weak, porous bones with low mineral density lead to osteoporosis and fractures. The nutrients in pumpkin seeds work together to improve bone strength and density as you age. They provide zinc, magnesium, healthy fats, antioxidants, and plant compounds that all support bone health.
13. Improve Prostate Health
As men get older, many develop an enlarged prostate gland that causes urinary issues. Pumpkin seed extracts have been shown to help shrink enlarged prostates. Studies confirm pumpkin seeds reduce prostate size, urinary frequency and other symptoms of BPH (benign prostate enlargement) in men.
14. Regrow Hair
For men with male pattern baldness, pumpkin seed oil may help regrow hair by blocking DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. Taking pumpkin seed oil orally or applying it to the scalp appears to reduce DHT levels and stimulate new hair growth in balding areas.
15. Ease Menopause Symptoms
The hormonal changes of menopause often cause unpleasant symptoms in women. Nutrients in pumpkin seeds can help combat these issues. They provide lignans that balance hormones, tryptophan for better sleep, anti-inflammatory omega-3s that reduce hot flashes, and minerals that strengthen bones.
In summary, the wide variety of beneficial nutrients in pumpkin seeds provides many great health benefits if consumed daily. From reducing inflammation and cholesterol to improving sleep, bone density, and more, these nutritious seeds pack a powerful punch for overall wellness.
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