Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (2024)

FAQs

How many pumpkin seeds for bladder control? ›

In studies, 10-gram doses of pumpkin seed oil helped with overactive bladder symptoms. Generally, a person should start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it if necessary, following the guidance of a doctor.

Some people soak pumpkin seeds before roasting them—they say it helps make the seeds extra crispy. But our Test Kitchen found that soaking the seeds didn't make much of a difference when it came to crispiness. If you do soak your seeds, though, be sure to dry them thoroughly before roasting.

Although cooking may lead to a loss of micronutrients, one study found that roasting pumpkin seeds increased their antioxidant, phenol, and flavonoid contents ( 4 ).

I love to eat them shells and all. If they're properly toasted and are small to medium sized, they are wonderfully crunchy and easy to eat. The larger carving pumpkins will yield large seeds, which are probably best to eat shelled. Don't throw out your pumpkin seeds!

If you choose to eat pumpkin seeds for prostate health, you may see benefits within a few weeks, but there are no guarantees. Results will depend on your health situation, how often you eat the seeds, and the quality of the seeds.

How do you eat pumpkin seeds for erectile dysfunction? While there's no defined recommended daily dose for sexual health, a handful of pumpkin seeds should be eaten every day.

Drying the seeds before roasting ensures they can be evenly coated in oil, for a perfectly toasted texture.

Pumpkin seeds do have a lot of a chemical called phytic acid, which can bind to mineral nutrients in your digestive system and keep you from absorbing them as well. You can reduce the phytic acid content by soaking or sprouting your seeds before you eat or roast them.

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.

When eating a single 28g serving of pumpkin seeds, whatever the variety, the fiber content is rarely sufficient to cause any side effects, but if you were to double, triple, or quadruple the serving size by overeating, then this large amount of insoluble fiber can lead to gas, bloating, and in some cases diarrhea.

What are the disadvantages of eating pumpkin seeds? ›

Eating pumpkin seeds in excess can cause stomach ache, flatulence, bloating and constipation. The major disadvantage of pumpkin seeds is that, since they are loaded with calories, eating them in excess can lead to weight gain.

You can get your hands on pumpkin seeds on about any store's snack aisle, but your healthiest option may be the old-fashioned way: scooping them out of the stringy guts of that jack-o'-lantern you're carving.

The bottom line

Pumpkin seed shells are safe to eat and provide more fiber than green, shelled pumpkin seeds. However, people with digestive conditions may want to avoid whole seeds, as their high fiber content can trigger symptoms like pain and diarrhea.

In fact, pumpkin seeds have been shown to improve heart health, blood sugar levels, fertility, and sleep quality. They may even protect against certain types of cancer. In addition, their rich nutrient content may provide other health benefits, such as improved energy, mood, and immune function.

You do not need to soak pumpkin seeds before roasting them. Pumpkin seeds are already pretty “wet” to begin with, if you're scooping them out of a fresh pumpkin, so they don't require soaking the way some other dry nuts and seeds do before using them.

In a small, older study from 2014 , people with overactive bladder were given a daily dose of pumpkin seed extract for 12 weeks. At both 6 and 12 weeks , they reported significantly reduced symptoms like urgency, frequency, and peeing at night.

Pumpkin seeds contain a phytochemical that can help prevent prostate problems. It is recommended to eat roughly 5 grams of pumpkin seeds daily when dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia. If eating pumpkin seeds by the handful isn't for you, try sprinkling them on top of your favorite salad.

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.

“They (pumpkin seed) are packed full of essential nutrients, things like potassium, magnesium and zinc. One of the things they do is help to dilate blood vessels and therefore help bladder muscles to relax. This muscle relaxation helps reduce the urge to go to the loo.