11 Pumpkin Seed Uses You may Not Know About

Pumpkins have varying uses in savory recipes, desserts and even decoration, however, the pumpkin seeds are usually thrown into the compost. Nonetheless, there are plenty of health benefits and pumpkin seeds uses. They are a rich source of various nutrients that benefit the body and along with that, they are an excellent snack choice. Instead of munching on unhealthy things like chips and sweetened snacks, it is better to chew on a handful of pumpkin seeds. Read on below to find out more about the health benefits these seeds have.

Nutrients and vitamins

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with important minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients including manganese, copper, tryptophan, magnesium, iron, zinc and phosphorus. Some of these awesome phytonutrients are discussed below.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan gets converted into niacin and serotonin, also known as feel good hormones which help fights off the depression.

Glutamate

This phytonutrient enhances the flavors in your mouth and it is required to create GABA- an anti-stress neurochemical, which is helpful in staving off anxiety and other stressors that may also lead to depression.

Zinc

This mineral strengthens your immune system and helps keep osteoporosis at bay. Regular intake of pumpkin seeds, extracts and oil can help fight off the inflammation in bones which is the main cause of this disease.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols help keeps the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) at bay and raises the levels of HDL (good cholesterol). It also helps prevent various types of cancers.Keeping bad cholesterol in check is also beneficial for overall wellbeing.

Rich in antioxidants

Pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants, phenolic antioxidants, mineral, and vitamins. They also contain the various form of Vitamin E which is very advantageous for your body.

Antimicrobial properties

According to many researchers and experts pumpkin seeds, the seed oil and extracts have been well-known for their anti-microbial benefits, along with their antiviral and anti-fungal properties. A major health benefit of consuming pumpkin seeds is that they remove worms from your body and their regular intake prevents worms from settling in.

Diabetes support

Some researchers also believe that pumpkin seed extracts, ground pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin seed oil are also valuable in regulating insulin levels and provide protection to kidneys of diabetic patients.

Cancer prevention

Pumpkin seeds uses also include prevention against a variety of cancers. It is because these amazing snack choices are a rich source of antioxidants which decrease the risk of cancers, especially the risk of breast and prostate cancers.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

It has been discovered that pumpkin seed oils and extracts may help in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. They are also linked with the treatment of cancer enlargement of the prostate gland.

Protein

Pumpkin seeds are also packed with proteins. Even an ounce of pumpkin seeds contains 9.40 grams of protein.