Pumpkin is an orange vegetable eaten by all! You might have seen the small white seeds inside it. These are the ‘pumpkin seeds’ that provide us with so many nutrients. In this blog, we will get to know the pumpkin seed benefits and much more.
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Introduction – Pumpkin Seed Benefits
Pumpkin seeds are tiny and crunchy seeds that are known as pepitas. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which make them an excellent addition to any diet, may it be fruit salad, vegetable salad, soup, or anything. These small seeds are generally overlooked for more popular superfoods, but these provide a variety of benefits.
Nutrition Provided By Pumpkin Seeds
1. Nutrients Available in Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are filled with nutrients that contribute to one’s overall health. It contains around 151 calories, 7 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat (healthy fat), and 1.7 grams of fiber. Daily intake of these seeds will help you to maintain your energy levels, provide immunity, and keep your heart healthy. One of the significant pumpkin seed benefits is they contain magnesium at a high level. It is crucial for various body functions, such as improving blood pressure, helping to maintain healthy bones, and helping to maintain sugar levels. If you take a small amount of pumpkin seeds every day, it will keep you away from any kind of heart disease.
2. Helps to Maintain a Healthy Heart and Blood Pressure
The magnesium present in the pumpkin seeds helps to regulate blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart as mentioned above. But it also helps to reduce inflammation with the antioxidants and healthy fats present in it. One of the crucial pumpkin seed benefits is cholesterol management. This happens as they have phytosterols and other plant components that help to maintain the cholesterol level and reduce it if it is high.
3. Provides Proper Functioning of the Immune System
A good immune system will keep you away from diseases. Zinc is present in pumpkin seeds, which will make your immune system strong. It boosts your immunity and keeps you away from common colds, fever, and other diseases. It also contains other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and carotenoids, which protect the blood cells. This is also one of the most impactful pumpkin seed benefits that will prevent you from chronic disease and keep you young.
4. Provides You with Quality Sleep
Sleep is a necessity, and poor-quality sleep will affect your day. But don’t worry, pumpkin seeds will rescue you from the same. They contain tryptophan and amino acids that the body converts into serotonin, which acts like a sleep hormone. By including these seeds in your evening snacks, you will enjoy a quality sleep.
A good sleep will always keep you fresh the next day!
5. Helps You to Maintain Healthy Bones
Pumpkin seeds help to maintain healthy bones as they contain magnesium. It also contains other nutrients, such as calcium, which makes your bones strong and maintains bone density, especially for people above 40 years old. These are some of the most essential pumpkin seed benefits, hence regular consumption of these seeds is recommended.
6. Helps in Weight Loss
Every individual is becoming weight conscious these days and tries different seeds and foods to achieve instant results. So why not give pumpkin seeds a try?
Pumpkin seeds are a combination of proteins, fiber, and healthy fats that will keep your tummy full. You can consider them in your weight loss journey. These seeds help you to reduce overall calorie intake and keep you fuller for longer periods. The seeds contain fiber that supports the digestive system and keeps your bowel movements proper. It is one of the most impactful pumpkin seed benefits to maintain your overall health.
7. Provides Healthy Hair and Skin
Zinc and Vitamin E are some nutrients that your hair and skin need, which are provided by pumpkin seeds. It plays an essential role in collagen production and is required for skin elasticity and wound healing. Vitamin E is useful for maintaining your hair and protects against skin damage. These are some of the essential pumpkin seed benefits that one can get after the intake of the seeds.
Incorporating Pumpkin Seeds in Your Diet
As we have seen so many pumpkin seed benefits, here are some ways to include them in your daily diet.
- You can roast the pumpkin seeds and add them to your salads or morning cereals or just eat them directly.
- Take a handful of pumpkin seeds, crush them, and add them to your smoothies or milk. Adding these seeds will keep you energetic and full throughout the day.
- It can be added to your muffins, bread, cookies, or any bakery items to make them healthier. The crunchiness in the seeds also makes these items tastier.
- Making a simple butter out of these seeds and using them instead of the regular butter will help to reduce your cholesterol and in general, will keep you fit.
- You can add them to savory dishes like soup, pasta, or any dish you are having.
Final Thoughts
The pumpkin seeds are tiny in size and shape, but each seed is full of nutrition that keeps us healthy both inside and out. Including these seeds in your daily diet can help to improve your digestive and immune system. As it is rightly said, ‘Health is Wealth’, and in today’s world health, has become a crucial part of everybody’s life. These seeds will certainly provide you with a healthier and happier life.
I hope you got some insights about pumpkin seed benefits and how you can use them. Happy Eating!
