Pumpkin seeds are edible seeds that come from pumpkin
The American Heart Association recommends a quarter cup of daily intake of pumpkin seeds as part of an overall healthy diet, which is approximately 30 g. This amount will provide you with a good amount of protein, healthy fats, fiber, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and other effective nutrients.
Recommended daily dose of pumpkin seeds in certain conditions are as follows:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: It is recommended that you take 5 g of pumpkin seeds twice daily or one to two tablets or capsules of pumpkin seed oil or extract products daily. You can take 160 mg pumpkin seed oil once or thrice daily in combination with palmetto and other ingredients.
- Sleeping trouble: Consuming around 1 g of pumpkin seeds before bed may improve sleep, as these tiny seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to promote sleep.
You can start and discontinue pumpkin seed consumption as per your requirement. There are very few side effects reported so far such as bloating and gas.
What are pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are edible seeds that come from pumpkin, a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family or a kind of squash.
These seeds are typically flat, small, and oval-shaped, which can be consumed without the white outer shell. These pumpkin seeds are very high in healthy fats, protein, zinc, iron, magnesium, and many more nutrients that are beneficial for our body. Roasted pumpkin seeds are eaten as a snack food.
Pumpkin seed and its oil have astonishing health benefits because it has minerals and essential antioxidants to reduce, inhibit, and improve many health conditions. It provides benefits to the heart, bones, and many other body functions, as it is rich in zinc and magnesium. One tablespoon of pumpkin seeds contains almost 1 mg of zinc and 40 mg of magnesium, which fulfills around 20% of a daily recommended intake.
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it as the best food to eat for obtaining zinc and magnesium, it has become a popular snack. The growth of exportation and food exploration has boosted its consumption worldwide as a delicious snack.
It has medicinal properties and is used in various medicine preparation. Commonly, it is used as a medicine for diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
How to eat these pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are a great superfood. Proteins are one of the many nutrients found in pumpkin seeds. You can add them in oatmeal, smoothies, chia pudding, salad, soups, granola bars, muffins, or whole-grain dishes to attain health and nutritional benefits. You can eat them raw as well as roasted, safely. It is best to eat them without the shell for easy digestion.
Generally, people prefer to consume them in the roasted form. You may dry roast them at a low temperature under 170°F or 76°C without adding any oil and without salt to retain the nutritional value.
What happens if you eat too many?
Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber. One cup contains almost 12 g. It is not advised to eat more than the recommended daily amount. If in case you eat too many, you may experience gaseous distension and bloating. The fiber in pumpkin seeds may help to bulk up stool and prevent constipation in the long run. However, eating too many pumpkin seeds at once may cause constipation.
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References
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pumpkin-seeds#1
American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/10/25/pumpkin-seeds-pack-a-healthy-punch
American Botanical Council: http://cms.herbalgram.org/commissione/Monographs/Monograph0309.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyN-ziHuqBfQnsRdpX_PIMLZlUXv50dCSX0XijCbvn29L1g7efvLpbxoCO-kQAvD_BwE&ts=1605190466&signature=07598eca7a8ce714ee5cc41ae2755043
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