According to a recent Spanish study, pumpkin seeds contain powerful compounds which have the ability to effectively destroy cancer cells. Moreover, these seeds can improve memory which makes them an excellent food for your mental and physical health.
In fact, pumpkin seeds are effective against many different cancer types and have anti-inflammatory properties. A German study showed that women which pass through menopause should eat organic pumpkin seeds daily and have 23% lower chances of developing breast cancer.
These seeds are a rich source of numerous nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, selenium, calcium, iron, amino acids, vitamin E, vitamin K, etc. They also are rich in plant compounds known as phytosterols and free-radical scavenging antioxidants, which offer numerous health benefits.
1. Insomnia prevention
Pumpkin seeds are rich in amino acid tryptophan. Our body converts this amino acid in serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the “sleep” hormone.
A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience suggested that consuming tryptophan from a gourd seed alongside a carbohydrate source was comparable to pharmaceutical grade tryptophan for the treatment of insomnia.
Eating pumpkin seeds few hours before bed will provide you body the tryptophan needed for your serotonin and melatonin production to help promote a restful night’s sleep.
2. Improve sight
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc, which is vital for the immune system. Furthermore, they can improve your sleep, vision, skin, and mood.
These seeds can also help you lose weight, as they are a rich source of proteins, and they can keep you full. 30 g of pumpkin seeds contains 5 g of protein.
3. They pump up your potassium levels
The body likes potassium for jobs such as helping muscles contract, managing fluids, balancing minerals and maintaining normal blood pressure. Potassium may also help lower the risk of recurrent kidney stones and bone loss as the body ages.
The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science recommends that adults consume at least 4,700 milligrams of potassium every day, which is twice as much as most people get. Pumpkin seeds are a notably rich source of this important mineral with 588 mg per cup.
4. They help with prostate health
Pumpkin seeds are an excellent natural food for prostate health. Pumpkin seeds extract and oil play a role in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Studies have linked different nutrients that have positive effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including lignans, zinc, and phytosterols.
Zinc is essential for prostate health (where it is found in the highest concentrations in the body).
Phytosterols have the strongest activity. They help to prevent the transformation of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which promote the enlargement of the prostate.
5. They may make you happy
Shape magazine suggests that the L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds can improve the mood naturally and may even be effective against depression.
Meanwhile, The Times of India suggests eating pumpkin seeds a few hours before bed for the L-tryptophan (which is used in melatonin and serotonin production) to help encourage a good night’s sleep.