Pumpkin Seeds Health Benefits
Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds / Pepitas
Pumpkin seeds make a great snack and are full of wonderful health benefits. So why not add some to your diet today?
More and more of us are getting health conscious and what we eat (and don't eat) can have a big impact on our health.
Please note that I am not a health professional and this page is for information purposes only. Please do not make any changes to your medication without consulting your health professional first.
Pumpkin Seeds - Nutritional Information
dried pumpkin seed kernels (pepitas) ½ cup (64.5 g)
Energy
361 kcal / 1509 kJ
Protein
19.50 g
Carbohydrate
6.91g
Fiber, total dietary
3.9 g
Sugars, total
0.90 g
Calcium, Ca
30 mg
Iron, Fe
5.69 mg
Magnesium, Mg
382 mg
Phosphorus, P
795 mg
Potassium, K
522 mg
Sodium, Na
5 mg
Zinc, Zn
5.04 mg
Copper, Cu
0.866 mg
Manganese, Mn
2.930 mg
Selenium, Se
6.1 mg
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid
1.2 mg
Thiamin
0.176 mg
Riboflavin
0.099 mg
Niacin mg
3.217 mg
Pantothenic acid
0.484 mg
Vitamin B-6
0.092 mg
Vitamin A
10 IU
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
1.41 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
4.7 mcg
Data from here
Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds - Sourced from government and education websites
Pumpkin seeds may support prostate health because they contain cucurbitacins, a chemical substance which prevents the body converting testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (source). DHT may promote cell growth and lead to an enlarged prostate (source).
The omega-3 fatty acids present in pumpkin seeds may help relieve arthritis (source).
Pumpkin seeds are one of the most concentrated vegetarian sources of zinc (4.51 mg per ½ cup) (source). A study of 396 men showed that a lower intake of zinc correlated with an increased risk of osteoporosis in men. Dietary zinc intake positively affected the bone mineral density (source).
Pumpkin seeds are one of the eight super healthy foods that may help to lower blood pressure (source).
Because pumpkin seeds are high in Magnesium (source), they may help to increase energy levels (source).
The majority of the population of USA are deficient in Magnesium, which may result in osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease if it becomes chronic. Pumpkin seeds are a particularly rich source of Magnesium (source).
Raw Pumpkin Seeds
Do you like pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin Seeds Recipes
© Copyright _rockinfree
and licensed for reuse under the CC BY 2.0 License.
You can eat pumpkin seeds just as they are raw, or take off the outside husk and eat just the inside kernel, or use them in one of these delicious recipes.
www.food.com/recipe/dancing-pepitas-toasted-pumpkin-seeds-79347
Toasted pumpkin seeds
thecookbook.com.au/2009/03/31/healthy-homemade-toasted-muesli-recipe/
Healthy Homemade Toasted Muesli Recipe
www.taste.com.au/recipes/15978/muesli+slice
Muesli slice
www.food.com/recipe/muesli-cookies-no-flour-just-seeds-361502
Muesli cookies - no flour
3 ways to roast pumpkin seeds - Video recipes
See how to remove your own seeds from a pumpkin. Then you'll see demonstrated 3 recipes:
1. Basic sea salt and olive oil roasted seeds - yummy as a snack
2. Sweet and spicy - use as a topping on ice cream or popcorn
3. Soy sauce pumpkin seeds - good to use as a crouton substitute for salads