The health benefits of pumpkin seeds and their uses.
Pumpkins are consumed mostly during Halloween to make Jack-O-Lanterns and pumpkin pie, and the seeds are usually thrown away.
Many people do not realise that these are some of the healthiest seeds on the planet and are loaded with nutrition.
In today's video we will explore the main health benefits and uses of pumpkin seeds.
1. Sleep
Eating pumpkin seeds can help you to sleep better at night and treat insomnia naturally.
They are the number one source of magnesium, a calming mineral which relaxes the muscles and nerves in the body. Magnesium helps the brain to produce melatonin, a hormone which triggers your wake/sleep cycles. The seeds are also high in tryptophan which is also converted by the brain into melatonin.
2. Stress
Many people use pumpkin seed powder in smoothies to treat stress as they have a calming effect on the body. The tryptophan compound mentioned earlier helps to relieve anxiety, stress, depression, PMDD, grinding teeth at night, ADHD, Tourette's and hyperactivity.
3. Prostate
Many men suffer with prostate enlargement as they get older due to having too much DHT in the body. Pumpkin seeds have been scientifically shown to help shrink the prostate back down to its normal size and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. They contain phytochemicals which prevents too much DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) building up. Pumpkin seeds are also extremely high in zinc, a trace mineral needed for normal prostate functions such as making fluid for the reproductive system.
4. Cramps
Many people suffer with cramping especially in the legs and calf muscles at night. This is caused by eating too many refined foods like sugars, white rice and flour products such as bread. Refined foods deplete your magnesium levels and trigger leg cramps. Pumpkin seeds can help to boost your magnesium levels quickly and reduce spasms, cramps and tightness in the muscles of the body.
5. Immunity
Over 2 billion people on the planet are deficient in zinc, a trace mineral which is needed in all of the cells throughout the body. Luckily pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc which helps your body to fight off diseases and infections. Eating these often will boost your immune system to destroy invaders like bacteria and viruses.
6. Varieties
You can purchase pumpkin seeds raw, roasted, dried or in powdered form. Many people use the powdered form in blended smoothies to get this into the diet easily. We recommend soaking pumpkin seeds in water overnight and then drying them out in a dehydrator or the sun. This germinates the seed and makes them much easier to digest.
7. Pregnancy
If you are a pregnant or a nursing mother then you will need to get more zinc and trace minerals into your diet. A zinc deficiency can lead to fallen arches and skeletal weaknesses in the baby, so we recommend consuming pumpkin seeds regularly to prevent this.
8. Inflammation
Pumpkin seeds contain lots of ALA. This is an essential omega 3 fatty acid which helps to lower inflammation and soreness throughout the body. ALA has been shown to the reduce inflammation in the arteries for a healthier heart.
9. Brain Health
Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients that strengthen the brain and help you to have better mental clarity. ALA helps to protect brain cells against conditions like stroke, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The many trace minerals also help the synapses to build stronger connections between neurons.
10. Heart Health
Fatty acids, antioxidants, magnesium and zinc in pumpkin seeds work together to keep your heart healthy. These nutrients all have an effect on regulating blood pressure and maintaining a consistent blood flow around the body, effectively lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
11. Energy
Eating foods rich in electrolytes helps to increase your energy levels, make you feel more alert and have better exercise performance. The phosphorus and magnesium in pumpkin seeds works together to transfer energy through the cells of the body.
12. Insulin Resistance
Scientific studies show that pumpkin seeds reduce insulin resistance in the body. This means that your cells can accept more nutrients, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and obesity.
13. Cancer
Cancer tends to attack and spread in areas of inflammation in the body. Luckily healthy seeds like pumpkin, chia, flax and sunflower seeds are highly anti-inflammatory and therefore lower the risk of cancer. Studies show that pumpkin seeds are linked to lower rates of stomach, breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer.
14. Menopause
Women who are going through the menopause may wish to add a handful of pumpkin seeds each day into their diet. The seeds contain phytoestrogens which help to prevent hot flashes and night sweats during this time. These plant based estrogens help to maintain hormone balance whilst the ovaries shut down and switch to the adrenal glands.
16. Erectile Dysfunction
The nutrients in pumpkin seeds help to promote better blood flow around the body which can help men who suffer with erectile dysfunction. They also improve the production of sperm and seminal fluids for better health in the reproductive system.
17. Uses
You can throw roasted or dehydrated pumpkin seeds into healthy salads, bake them into low carb breads or simply eat them raw. You can also blend them into healthy smoothies, add them to granola or crush them to use in meat coatings. There are endless ways to get these into the diet and rapidly improve your health.
19. Anti-Aging
In addition to the many minerals that pumpkin seeds contain, they are also rich in Vitamin E and other anti-oxidants. These help to keep the skin elastic and looking vibrant as we get older. Vitamin E helps to reduce the effects of free-radicals which prevents you from aging too quickly.
20. Digestion
Eating seeds which contain soluble fibre are excellent for digestion. Fibre helps to feed the friendly bacteria in your gut which helps you to break down foods easier. We recommend eating a handful of seeds and nuts daily to boost fibre along with healthy cruciferous vegetables.
As you can see pumpkin seeds are a great natural multi-mineral supplement especially when it comes to heart and muscle health.
Eating small amounts of these daily are a great way to keep your energy levels stable whilst still feeling calm and relaxed.
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