Eat To Beat: 7 Remarkable Health Benefits Of Eating Raw Pumpkin Seeds

image

We all know that pumpkin is a very nutritious and tasty vegetable, but there are also health benefits of pumpkin seeds that make them a tasty snack at any time.

The pumpkin is a member of the squash family and it’s is native to North and Central America. Its seeds have been used by Native Americans for centuries to support urinary and digestive health.

The best way to reap maximum from pumpkin seeds is by eating them raw and it is even better if the seeds come from an organic pumpkin. It would also be wise to soak them or sprout them and then roast them lightly before consumption.

7 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Lower Blood Pressure
Pumpkin seed oil is full of phytoestrogens, which research shows are beneficial for preventing hypertension. When researchers fed rats a diet supplement with the oil, they found that it helped lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in just 12 weeks.

Cancer
Pumpkin seeds are perfect for men who are at risk of developing prostate cancer. The oil contained in these seeds helps to alleviate urination associated with enlarged prostate.

Bone Health
While pumpkin seeds may not contain much calcium, they do contain vast amounts of other minerals which are important for bone health, including magnesium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorous. While there aren’t any significant studies (that I am aware of) which specifically look at pumpkin seeds and bone health, numerous studies have shown a link between zinc deficiency and osteoporosis.

Heart Health
Various studies have found that pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seed oil can reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Considering that heart disease is still the #1 killer in the US, this is very good news. There is also evidence that pumpkin seeds might prevent cholesterol from hardening in the arteries.

Kidney Stones
Several studies show that eating pumpkin seeds as a snack helps prevent a couple types of common kidney stones by removing substances that encourage their formation.

Pain Relief
The anti-inflammatory properties in these seeds can help reduce inflammation and pain without the side effects that come with over the counter drugs. They are a natural way to beat the symptoms of arthritis.

Diabetes Support
Preliminary studies have suggested that ground pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extracts, and pumpkin seed oil may improve insulin regulation and help protect the kidneys of those with diabetes.

 

References:

huffingtonpost / sofeminine.co.uk /

Also Look:

Oregano Drops- Nature Most Potent Antibiotic Oil

Prof. Hesin
I am herbalist and write on variety of topics from nutrition to natural health, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, mind/body medicine and i enjoys the challenge of providing my family with healthy food options that fit with their busy lifestyle.