Pumpkins and their seeds or pipes contain vitamins A and B, carotenoids, magnesium, manganese, zinc, pectins, cucurbitacin, resins, glycosides, unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic. Thanks to this composition, the main properties of pumpkin seeds include the following:
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptics
Antioxidants
Revitalizing
Vermifuges
Emollient
Diuretics
Mild sedative
Pumpkin seeds: properties, benefits, and contraindications – Properties of pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds benefits
Thanks to its composition and properties, the pipes or seeds of pumpkin or pumpkin can improve our health. These are some of the benefits of pumpkin seeds:
Improve your heart health with pumpkin seeds
Raw pumpkin seeds or seeds contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, omega 3, and phytosterols that help regulate cholesterol, reducing bad cholesterol, and increasing good cholesterol; for this reason, it is advisable to consume the pumpkin seeds to help treat cholesterol. In addition, these components of pumpkin seeds protect the circulatory system, thus strengthening the health of our heart.
Take pumpkin seeds to improve your urinary system.
One of the main properties of raw pumpkin seeds is that they contain cucurbitacin, an alkaloid-type amino acid present in these seeds. Combined with high levels of zinc, they help men fight benign prostate hyperplasia. If you have prostate problems such as swelling and problems in which this is a symptom, we recommend this other article on Medicinal plants for an inflamed prostate.
Also, thanks to these components, it is believed that it also helps reduce the risk of kidney stones and, if you already suffer from them, pumpkin seeds are beneficial as a support for medical treatment to combat kidney stones and other diseases. The urinary system.
Pumpkin seeds against intestinal parasites
Pumpkin or squash seeds are used in traditional medicine in many countries to eliminate intestinal parasites, since thanks to their vermifuge properties, they are very effective against parasites such as worms and tapeworms. This property of raw pumpkin seeds is due to the cucurbits they contain, an alkaloid amino acid with anthelmintic capacity that stops the development of parasites and eliminates them.
Consume pumpkin seeds to help your bones
Another of the fantastic benefits that the properties of raw pumpkin seeds provide us is to prevent osteoporosis and relieve pain caused by bone deterioration, which is due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its high zinc content.
For this reason, pumpkin or squash seeds are also indicated for people with arthritis. It is advisable to consume these pipes and, in addition, use the oil extracted from them to apply it to the affected areas and achieve a more immediate anti-inflammatory effect.
In addition, these pipes contain vitamins A, K, and E, so they are excellent as an antioxidant food and benefit us by improving the health of our cells and fighting free radicals in the environment.
Pumpkin seeds to increase defenses
We can strengthen the immune system thanks to the moderate consumption of pumpkin seeds. Due to their high zinc content, pumpkin seeds are excellent for improving our defenses, promoting good growth, and strengthening our senses such as sight and smell.
In addition, as pumpkin seeds also contain iron, they are good allies to prevent and combat anemia. Therefore, with these benefits, we ensure good growth, good cellular health, and, thus, the prevention of some diseases.
Pumpkin seeds against depression
The seeds or pumpkin seeds are an excellent natural antidepressant since they contain L-tryptophan that helps regulate serotonin levels, which, when decompensated, produce depression.
In addition, the optimal production of serotonin, thanks to the tryptophan of these seeds, also contributes to the production of melatonin, known as the sleep hormone, and for this reason, it also helps us reduce anxiety be calmer sleep better. For these reasons, if you have depression or are prone to it, if you have problems sleeping at night or have a lot of anxiety, it is recommended that you add raw pumpkin seeds to your diet daily since it is one of the healthier tryptophan foods.
The fruit of these large pod plants, so associated with the harvest permit, belongs to the family of the Cucurbitaceae, or cucumbers.
The two most important types are the “pepo,” which is how scientists nicknamed the “small” pumpkins that are carved like skulls in the fall, and the “maximum,” the enormous variety that competes in contests for “the largest pumpkin. ”At field fairs.
Also called sugar gourds, the former are orange in color with broad wedge sections, which grow close to the ground in large serpentine pods with fan-like leaves.
Pumpkins rarely weigh more than 20 to 25 pounds and can be harvested much smaller, but the larger they are, the more edible content they have. These are also the ones that produce edible seeds. The latter, also called Mammoth, are cousins of winter squash like Hubbard. Its orange color has a slight pinkish or gray tinge, and its body often swells where it touches the ground.
The hollow center of the squash is filled with semi-white seeds clinging to a pulp.
After you cut your squash in half lengthwise, the pulp can be thrown away after saving the seeds (if you wish). These are a great source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids and can be dried and salted as a homemade snack or saved for planting in the spring. With one bunch, you can make a field full of orange beauties.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
The only difference between 100 grams of raw or cooked pumpkin is a six-calorie increase in raw form. So, where do the nutrients come from?
They are in the vitamins and minerals, including large amounts of fiber and 100% of the required daily value of vitamin A. Pumpkins also provide a lot of vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium, copper, and manganese. There is less quantity and significance of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
What does that mean to us? Its orange color is a sign of the presence of a particularly beneficial phytonutrient: carotene. This is converted into vitamin A in the body, giving a good injection of antioxidants with the ability to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and many of the degenerative effects of aging.
Vitamin A is also necessary for good vision and helps prevent lung and mouth cancer. Flavonoids such as cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin destroy harmful free radicals, and the latter, in particular, helps protect the eye’s retina from macular degeneration.
Pumpkin seeds are not only a tasty and easy-to-transport snack, but we could also say that they are a concentrated source of minerals and vitamins, with 30 grams of protein, 110% of the daily value in iron, and 559 calories, but without cholesterol, which is excellent for cardiovascular health. Fiber helps maintain regular elimination and keep the colon clean.