Pumpkin seeds: benefits and harms
Pumpkin seeds are the seeds of a pumpkin, which is a herbaceous plant that grows in subtropical and tropical areas. The shape of the seeds is flat, the length is different - from 0.5 to 1.2 cm. The peel of the seeds is white, and inside there is a green seed, which is of value to humans.
Latin America is home to the pumpkin. The first seeds were found by archaeologists in Mexican caves, which were inhabited as early as 7000 years BC. It is known that the American Indians used pumpkin seeds and pulp for dietary and medicinal dishes already in those days. Now pumpkin is grown in almost every country in the world, in general, you can count up to 900 of its species.
Pumpkin seeds are a valuable and useful product that helps in the treatment of many diseases. To get tasty and quality seeds, they must be properly prepared. To do this, they are removed from the fruit, cleaned of the pulp and washed under running water. After that, they are thoroughly dried in the sun or in some other way. The seeds have a short shelf life and do not exceed one month. It can be extended by 30 days if the seeds are placed in a cold place. Store seeds correctly in containers with tight-fitting lids.
As for the taste of the seeds, after roasting, they resemble peanut kernels. They are often used for baking, added to salads, in meat dishes, and eaten neat.
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Content:
- Composition and calorie content
The benefits of pumpkin seeds
- Benefits for men
- Benefits for women
- Damage to pumpkin seeds
- Pumpkin seed treatment, recipes
- Pumpkin seeds for worms
- Pumpkin seeds with honey
- How to dry pumpkin seeds?
- Contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds
Answers to popular questions:
- How many pumpkin seeds should you eat per day?
- Can you eat pumpkin seeds with peels?
- Can pumpkin seeds be breastfed?
- Can pumpkin seeds be used for pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and gastritis?
- Conclusion
Composition and calorie content
Pumpkin seeds are high in calories. There are about 559 kcal per 100 g of the product.
- Fats: 49 g
- Proteins: 30.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 10,7 g
- Water: 5.23 g
- Ash: 4.78 g
- Cellulose: 6 g
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Vitamins (per 100 g): |
amount | % RDA |
| Gamma Tocopherol (Vitamin E Form) | 35.10 mg | 234% |
| Vitamin B3 (PP, nicotinic acid) | 4.99 mg | 24.9% |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | 0.27 mg | 15.9% |
| Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) | 0.75 mg | 15.0% |
| Vitamin H (B7, biotin) | 4.57-10.0 mcg | 14.6% |
| Vitamin B9 (folic acid) | 58.0 μg | 14.5% |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.18 mg | 14.5% |
| Vitamin B4 (choline) | 63.0 mg | 12.6% |
Minerals (in 100 g): |
amount |
% RDA |
| Vanadium | 170.0 μg | 425% |
| Manganese | 4540.0 μg | 227% |
| Phosphorus | 1174-1233 mg | 150% |
| Copper | 1340-1500 mcg | 142% |
| Magnesium | 535-592 mg | 141% |
| Zinc | 7.4-20.2 mg | 115% |
| Silicon | 25.0 mg | 83% |
| Cobalt | 8.3 μg | 83% |
| Chromium | 40.0 μg | 80% |
| Iron | 8.82-15.0 mg | 79% |
| Boron | 55.0 μg | 78.6% |
| Potassium | 807-814 mg |
33.4% |
| Rubidium | 26.0 μg | 26% |
| Zirconium | 11.2 mcg | 24% |
| Sulfur | 146-160 mg | 15.3% |
| Molybdenum | 10.0 μg | 14.3% |
| Selenium | 5.6-9.4 μg | 11.5% |
| Iodine | 12.0-18.0 μg | ten% |
By eating 100 g of seeds, you can provide 115% of the body's daily need for zinc, 141% for magnesium, 80% for iron, and 33% for potassium, which is so necessary for the heart.
Other important connections:
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Phytosterols - 523 mg (951% of the RDI). Of these: campesterol - 19 mg (34.5%), beta-sitosterol - 2.6 mg (6.5%), stigmasterol - 6.8 mg (19%), spinasterol - 112 mg (204%), delta -7-avenasterol - 72 mg (131%), delta-7-stigmasterol - 20 mg (36%), delta-7.25-stigmastadienol - 106 mg (192%), delta-7,22,25-stigmastatrienol - 151 mg (274%).
- Purines - 37 mg (29% of the RDI)
Complete chemical composition ➤
The benefits of pumpkin seeds
The benefits of pumpkin seeds for the human body are undeniable, although many people are accustomed to being careless about this healing product.
The useful properties of pumpkin seeds are varied, here are the main ones:
- Normalizing sleep and reducing the risk of depression. Regular consumption of seeds in food improves the quality of a night's rest, as they contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which is very useful for humans. Once in the body, it is transformed into niacin and serotonin, which directly affect a person's sleep.
- Prevention of hypertension. Pumpkin seeds contain a huge amount of arginine. After entering the body, this amino acid is converted into nitric oxide, which is responsible for the expansion of arteries and blood vessels, improving blood flow through them.
- Lowering the level of bad cholesterol. Thanks to the phytosterols that are part of the pumpkin seeds, a person who regularly includes them in the diet prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
- Beauty and youthfulness of the skin. The seeds contain a large amount of vitamins A and E, which are responsible for the elasticity and smoothness of the skin, preventing the formation of wrinkles.
- Prevention of osteoporosis, reduction of inflammation in arthritis of the joints. The bone health benefits of pumpkin seeds are due to the fact that they contain zinc.
- Prevention of inflammation of the prostate gland. This property of pumpkin seeds is relevant for men, not only older, but also young. Indeed, according to statistics, more than 30% of men over the age of 25 have prostatitis. In addition, the seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, which inhibit the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- From worms. Since ancient times, the property of pumpkin seeds has been known to expel worms and other parasites from the body. Therefore, in many countries they are used as a natural preparation for getting rid of pinworms.
- Protecting the heart from disease. Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of magnesium, which protects the organ from rhythm disturbances and helps to normalize the contractile function of the heart.
- Prevention of diabetes mellitus. Despite the fact that pumpkin seeds are very high in calories, they are high in protein, which is easy to digest and helps to bring blood sugar back to normal.
- Normalization of bowel function. This beneficial property of seeds is provided due to the fact that they contain a lot of fiber, which stimulates peristalsis and works as a natural "brush" for the intestines. Chronic constipation is a direct indication for the regular inclusion of pumpkin seeds in the menu.
- Prevention of thyroid diseases. This is possible due to the high content of zinc in the seeds, which it needs for normal functioning. In order to protect this most important organ from diseases, it is enough to eat up to 140 grams of seeds per day.
- Regular intake of pumpkin seeds helps improve twilight vision and color perception. This is due to their vitamin A, which is involved in the production of rhodopsin (retinal visual pigment).
- Pumpkin seed oil, which is rich in the seeds of this fruit, contains many components useful for the immune system. Therefore, do not forget about them in the autumn-winter period.
- It has been established that regular consumption of pumpkin seeds promotes the production of both female and male sex hormones, so they are equally useful for both sexes.
- You can use pumpkin seeds to improve your cognitive abilities, especially memory.
- It is worth taking seeds with you on the road for people who suffer from seasickness, who are seasick in the car. The fact is that the use of seeds helps to reduce the severity of nausea. Therefore, they are recommended to be consumed in moderation by pregnant women.
- Prevention of male infertility. So, the seeds contain a lot of phosphorus, namely, it is necessary for sperm to grow full-fledged tails. Thanks to these tails, sperm become more mobile, which increases the chance of conceiving a child.
- Pumpkin seeds can be a valuable source of protein for people who are raw food, vegetarian, or fasting people.
- It is an excellent source of iron, zinc, and many other minerals.
It is worth remembering that in order to get the maximum benefit from pumpkin seeds, they must be consumed fresh. After heat treatment (after roasting), most of the vitamins and minerals are destroyed. It is better to peel the seeds right before use, and not beforehand.
Pumpkin seeds for men
Pumpkin seeds are very useful for men, as they help fight diseases of the male reproductive system. It has been established that men need zinc for the normal functioning of the prostate gland. As a rule, the amount of mineral that men get from food is not enough. This leads to the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate. The need for zinc is especially acute in men over 50. Therefore, to protect yourself from prostate adenoma and prostatitis, it is enough to eat 50 pumpkin seed kernels a day.
In addition, zinc is part of the testosterone molecule, the main male hormone. The microelements included in the seeds can increase sperm motility, which is an excellent prevention of male infertility.
It is known that men are prone to alopecia at an early age. Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds will strengthen the hair roots and prevent premature hair loss. In addition, the zinc contained in the seeds helps to fight dandruff, which is a fungal disease, and not just a cosmetic defect.
It has been proven that men get atherosclerosis earlier than women, which leads to heart attacks and strokes, and the consumption of pumpkin seeds will allow this process to be stopped. The amino acids in their composition strengthen the vascular wall, iron increases hemoglobin, arginine dilates blood vessels, and phytosterols help to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Pumpkin seeds for women
Pumpkin seeds for women have undoubted benefits, which consists in maintaining not only beauty, but also health.
It has been found that women are much more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis. The processes of calcium leaching from bones after the age of 45 are especially active. The minerals included in the seeds will allow this process to be suspended. The fact is that beneficial substances are present in the seed in such combinations that help each other to mutually assimilate.
Another common female problem is anemia. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of iron. Eating 100 g of seeds per day, you can almost 100% provide yourself with the daily requirement for this trace element.
In addition, pumpkin seeds strengthen hair and nails, fight wrinkles, provide elasticity and smoothness of the skin, contribute to the renewal of the epidermis, and relieve microinflammation. Fatty acids moisturize the skin from the inside out, prevent hair loss and eliminate the causes of dandruff.
It is useful to use pumpkin seeds for women during menopause, as the phytoestrogens included in its composition normalize mood, fight depression and improve the quality of night sleep. Tryptophan will relieve headaches and joint pains.
It is helpful to consume small amounts of pumpkin seeds during pregnancy. A handful of seeds will make it possible to reduce the manifestations of toxicosis, ease intolerance to odors, and reduce nausea. In addition, seeds are an excellent means of preventing anemia and constipation, which often torment women who are carrying a child.
Damage to pumpkin seeds
The harm of pumpkin seeds to the body can be noticed with their excessive use:
- The fact is that the product is very high in calories and if you eat more than 140 g of seeds per day, this can cause you to gain excess weight.
- Eating salted and fried seeds can provoke the development of stagnant processes in the joints and limit their mobility. In addition, the omega-3 in the seeds is oxidized during frying and the product becomes toxic.
- You can also damage your tooth enamel if you peel the seeds off with your teeth rather than your hands.
Naturally, it is worth remembering about contraindications to the use of pumpkin seed.
Pumpkin seed treatment, recipes
Treatment with pumpkin seeds can be reduced to their daily intake in the recommended amounts. Regular inclusion of pumpkin seeds in food is the prevention of many diseases. Even traditional medicine has recognized the health benefits of pumpkin seeds and their medicinal properties. So, in the pharmacy you can find the drug Tykveol, which is based on pumpkin seed oil. It is recommended to use it for infectious diseases, for the prevention of oncology and atherosclerosis. There are also many folk recipes based on pumpkin seeds:
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The cardiovascular system. Cholesterol is a serious danger to humans. Pumpkin seeds contain 951% of the daily minimum of various phytosterols, which block the absorption of cholesterol from food, control blood pressure and thin the blood. And fiber and omega-6 can reduce the risk of arrhythmias and thrombosis, which is the most common cause of death in the world.
In order to strengthen your heart and vascular system, it is enough to regularly drink a decoction of pumpkin seeds. The recipe is very simple: take three tablespoons of pumpkin seeds and pour 300 ml of cold water. Put the resulting mixture on fire, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. The broth should be drunk before bedtime in a quarter of a glass.
A decoction of pumpkin seeds will help prevent the occurrence of heart-related diseases, as well as strengthen blood vessels and normalize sleep.
- Treatment of wounds and burns. Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or in a blender, wrap in thick gauze and scald with boiling water. After cooling down, the compress can be applied to sore spots. Such gruel will allow not only to relieve painful sensations, but will accelerate the processes of tissue regeneration.
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To normalize bowel function. Pumpkin seeds have a laxative effect and help remove all toxins from our body. They are considered to be excellent remedies for constipation, bloating, and other gut-related problems.
Recipe. Peel 100 grams of raw seeds and grind them in a blender or coffee grinder. The powder should be taken every morning on an empty stomach, 2 tablespoons and washed down with warm milk. Take a laxative one hour later. The course of such treatment is 5 days. It should be noted that pumpkin seed oil is also useful, which in itself is useful for the prevention of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
- For immunity. The composition of pumpkin seeds contains zinc, per 100 grams is half the daily value. Many people know that zinc is an active antibacterial agent against viruses and bacteria. It is enough just to eat pumpkin seeds and the body's zinc reserves will increase significantly.
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With prostatitis. Pumpkin seeds contain a high amount of zinc, which helps prevent prostatitis in men. In addition, many traditional healers use pumpkin seed extract and oil to prevent prostate formation. Of course, the problem with the prostate will not be completely solved, but the condition will improve significantly. If a man has problems with the prostate, then a frequent companion is the urge to urinate, which comes with pain in the scrotum. It is from these sensations that pumpkin infusion will help get rid of.
- Recipe 1. Seeds (0.5 kg) are ground into flour and 200 g of honey (not candied) are added to them. The mixture is placed in the refrigerator to thicken, after which it is rolled into small balls the size of hazelnuts. Such balls must be absorbed on an empty stomach (1-3 balls). The course of treatment is a month.
- Recipe 2. You can grind the seeds into flour, but first they must be thoroughly dried. The powder should be taken twice a day before meals in the amount of two tablespoons. The mixture is washed down with a glass of honey water. It is recommended to grind the seeds together with the peel, and sift before use.
- Treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases. For inflammatory processes of the bladder and kidneys, it is necessary to consume a mixture of hemp and pumpkin seeds in equal proportions daily. Volume - 1 teaspoon, the number of doses - 2 times a day with meals. Pumpkin milk helps with cystitis. The peeled seeds are mixed with sugar and water (proportions 50 g: 20 g: 80 ml). Take three times a day before meals for a teaspoon.
- Normalization of sleep, removal of nervous tension. 100 grams of pumpkin seeds contains the daily dosage of tryptophan. This amino acid is responsible for the synthesis of serotonin in our body. Many people know that serotonin is the source of good mood. Take small amounts of seeds during periods of low mood.
- Against cancer. Pumpkin seeds contain a huge amount of trace elements that have a positive effect on our body. For example, zinc and selenium fight cancer cells, and vitamin E slows down their aging.
Eat pumpkin seeds to replenish your body with essential micronutrients. Remember that one product will not cope with the disease, you need to monitor your diet and sleep.
Video: Nutritious Pumpkin Seed Breakfast Shake:
Don't forget these tips and tricks to get the most out of your pumpkin seeds:
- Eat your seeds raw. A fried product loses half of its positive properties;
- Do not use old and spoiled seeds, as they will go rancid and can be harmful to health, taste them;
- Peel seeds before use or buy peeled immediately;
- 50 pumpkin seeds a day helps to improve skin and hair;
- Don't eat sunflower seeds.
Pumpkin seeds help diversify your diet. With their help, not only healthy, but also delicious dishes are obtained.
Pumpkin seeds for worms
Pumpkin seeds from worms are prescribed to their patients by parasitologists around the world. They include a substance such as cucurbitin. It has a paralytic effect on the nervous system of pinworms and causes their death.
The advantage of seeds over antihelminthic drugs is that they do not have a toxic effect on the human body, do not irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive system and have no age restrictions.
How to take pumpkin seeds for worms?
You need to peel the seeds and grind them with water. An adult will need about 300 g of semen at a time, children after 10 years old - 150 g, children from 5 to 7 years old - 100 g. If the child is under 4 years old, then 50 g of semen will be enough for him. It is important that the thin green film that is present on the seed does not go to waste with the skin.
To get rid of worms, seeds should be eaten raw. The required amount of seeds is cleaned, poured into dishes, where they are thoroughly ground. During the grinding process, add water, 10 drops at a time. For 300 g of seeds, you may need about 4 tablespoons of water. The resulting gruel is eaten in the morning on an empty stomach. You need to eat the entire portion within an hour. After another three hours, you need to drink a laxative and after half an hour do a cleansing enema. This method allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of worms without resorting to medications.
Video: is it true that pumpkin seeds help with worms? Transfer "about the most important thing":
Pumpkin seeds with honey
Pumpkin seeds with honey are not just a sweet treat, but a real medicine to get rid of many diseases. The mixture helps to treat prostatitis and prostate adenoma, to normalize sleep, to relieve emotional stress.
You can pour honey in both whole and powdered peeled seeds. You need to store such a healthy and tasty gruel in the refrigerator in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Take pumpkin seeds with honey in a tablespoon several times a day before meals for 20 minutes. But it is worth remembering that you should not eat more than 3 tablespoons of seeds with honey per day, since the calorie content of such a mixture is very high.
How to dry pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds need to be properly dried so that they retain the maximum benefit and do not lose their taste. To do this, they should be carefully removed from the fruit pulp, rotten specimens should be selected and rinsed under running water. It is convenient to use a colander for this purpose. Then the seeds are laid out on a towel and dried on both sides, this allows you to remove excess moisture from them.
If the seeds are to be roasted, this will replace the drying process. They are simply laid out in a frying pan and fried until golden brown. For complete cooking, 15 minutes will be enough.
In the airfryer, seeds are dried at 60 ° C for half an hour. The electric dryer is switched on at 80 ° C, the drying time is 40 minutes. The oven is preheated to 80 ° C and the seeds are kept in it for 20 minutes. Wherever the seeds are dried, they must be stirred periodically.
If you have time, you can dry the seeds outdoors in a warm room with low humidity. As a rule, one week is enough to completely dry the seeds. Thus, it will be possible to obtain the most useful product that will retain all vitamins and microelements.
Contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds
Contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds are as follows:
- Diseases of the digestive system in the acute stage. Gastroenterologists prohibit patients from eating any rough food during the treatment of gastritis, colitis, or gastric and duodenal ulcers. Gastritis with high acidity, intestinal obstruction - all these are contraindications for the use of pumpkin seeds.
- Individual intolerance to pumpkin pulp, allergic reactions to its use will occur when the seeds of this fruit are included in food. Therefore, in this case, it is better to refuse to accept them.
- Excess weight is a contraindication to consuming excessive amounts of seeds, as they are high in calories.
Answers to popular questions:
- How many pumpkin seeds should you eat per day? It will be enough for an adult to eat 60-70 pumpkin seeds per day.
- Can you eat pumpkin seeds with peels? The peel of pumpkin seeds is very useful, so if there are no contraindications, then they can be consumed unpeeled.
- Can pumpkin seeds be breastfed? You can, but in moderation. Mothers of children with allergies should be especially careful. After the first intake of seeds, you should carefully monitor the baby's reaction to a new product in the menu of a nursing woman.
- Can pumpkin seeds be used for pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and gastritis? With pancreatitis and gastritis, pumpkin seeds are prohibited, but with diabetes they can be included in the daily menu.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds are a real pantry with vitamins and nutrients. The unique composition makes the seeds a good helper in the fight against diseases and help a person to prolong life.
Pumpkin seed oil is used to prevent and relieve symptoms of prostatitis and adenoma. Pay attention to the expiration date and the integrity of the packaging.
Pumpkin seeds are an excellent product that has a healing effect on the entire body. But it is important not to consume more than 100 grams of seeds per day.
In addition, they should be avoided if you have gastritis with high acidity, stomach ulcers and poor permeability.
Don't forget that pumpkin seeds are not a panacea. They help manage and relieve symptoms, but they cannot be a permanent remedy.
The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
