You may be throwing
away one of the most valuable parts of your pumpkin. The seeds inside the pumpkin, also
known as ‘pepitas’, are not only flavorful, but they are also packed full of
nutrition. You can purchase pumpkin seeds any time of year, but the best ones
are found in the fall inside your fresh pumpkin.
The pumpkin seed is a culinary
ingredient as well as a medicinal treatment. Native Americans have used pumpkin
seeds for treating medical conditions for centuries. Today pumpkin seeds are
particularly popular in Mexico, where they are called pepitas. Mexico produces
most of the pumpkin seeds consumed in the United States. The seeds are sold
plain, salted or roasted and with or without the shell.
Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits
Pumpkin seed oil, extracted from the
seeds, is the subject of another study, published in the July 2008 issue of
"Phytotherapy Research." When the rats fed pumpkin seed oil were
compared with rats fed corn oil, the PSO recipients had lower LDL (bad)
cholesterol, lower triglycerides and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels than
the rats who had received corn oil. The PSO had also reduced blood pressure
levels.
Pumpkin
seeds are very rich in compounds called "phytosterols." According to
the World's Healthiest Foods (WHF) encyclopedia, phytosterols are very much
like the cholesterol that is inside the body. When enough phytosterols are in
the body, it is believed that they reduce the levels of cholesterol in the
blood. WHF also states that they boost the immune system and lower cancer
risks.
Anti-Inflammatory
Protection
Pumpkin seeds contain a high number of
anti-oxidants. A study published in the January 2005 issue of the medical
journal "Pharmacological Research" shows that pumpkin seed oil (PSO)
works to reduce inflammation that causes arthritis. The effects of pumpkin seed
oil are compared to those of indomethacin, a commonly used anti-inflammatory
drug, and the oil is shown to be just as efficient in relieving arthritic
inflammation.
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with essential
minerals. The WHF states that just 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds offers 1.04 mg
of manganese. This is over 50 per cent of the RDA (recommended daily
allowance.) Manganese is needed to keep bones strong, normalize blood sugar and
regulate cholesterol. Other necessary elements in pumpkin seeds are magnesium,
phosphorous, tryptophan, iron, copper, protein, zinc and vitamin K.
Pumpkin seeds make a great snack eaten raw or roasted, and they also are a great addition to oatmeal cookie recipes.
Pumpkin seeds make a great snack eaten raw or roasted, and they also are a great addition to oatmeal cookie recipes.
Nutrients
Pumpkin seeds are a high-energy snack.
A 1-oz. serving contains 158 calories, 8.6 g of protein, 1.7 g of fiber, 2.5 mg
of iron, 168 mg of magnesium, 350 mg of phosphorus, 229 mg of potassium and
2.21 mg of zinc. The protein content of pumpkin seeds is particularly high. A
handful of seeds between meals improves energy levels without spiking blood
sugar.
Omega-3s
Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of
omega-3 fatty acids, healthy, unsaturated fats necessary for the proper
functioning of the body. Omega-3 fatty acids treat inflammation and may lower
risk for cardiovascular disease, arthritis and cancer. The requirement for
omega-3 fatty acids is particularly essential for brain health and may improve
its cognitive and behavioral functions.
Prostate Support
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
enlarged prostate, is one of the most common hormone-related illnesses that men
encounter. The primary symptom is frequent urination, which ordinarily develops
for men by age 50. Beta-sitosterol is a plant-based compound found in pumpkin
seeds that improves urinary flow in cases of enlarged prostate, according to
the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Intestinal Parasite
Treatment
Pumpkin seeds are a recommended
treatment for intestinal parasite infections, according to the University of
Maryland Medical Center. Intestinal parasite infections can be acquired when a
person comes into contact with contaminated food or water. Parasites are often
acquired during travel to foreign countries. The harmful parasites found in the
United States are giardia and cryptosporidium. Parasites cause stomach pain,
diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, rectal itching, fatigue and weight loss. A doctor
would complete fecal testing for a definitive diagnosis.
References
- USDA: Nutrient Data Laboratory
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Intestinal Parasites
- University of Illinois Extension: Pumpkins and More
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Pharmacological Research: 1995 Jan;31(1):73-9: Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil:
- Phytotherapy Research. 2008 Jul;22(7):873-7: Supplementation with PSO
- World's Healthiest Foods: Pumpkin Seeds
No comments:
Post a Comment