The benefits of pumpkin seeds

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Pumpkin seeds contain amino acids, vitamins A, B, C, K, PP and macronutrients. They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the circulatory, immune, reproductive and nervous systems. 100 g of purified raw materials contains 1 230 mg of phosphorus, 780 mg of potassium, 590 mg of magnesium, 250 mg of sodium, 7.5 mg of zinc, 5 mg of manganese.

The benefits of pumpkin seeds

Product description

This product can be eaten raw, dried, fried and salted. Outwardly, pumpkin seeds resemble watermelon seeds, differing from them in their large size and light shade of the husk. This is a real storehouse of nutrients.

Energy value of the raw product: 100 g contains 540 kcal.

When determining the nutritional value, it is important to consider the glycemic index (a measure associated with a rise in blood sugar after eating a certain food). It is no coincidence that seeds are considered a dietary product that even diabetics are allowed to include in their diet. They have a glycemic index of 25 and they do not raise sugar levels in the body.

In addition, pumpkin seeds will help a person to cure many diseases at home.

The BZHU table looks like this.

Beneficial features

The substances contained in pumpkin seeds make this product indispensable for the normal functioning of the human body. A number of useful properties of this product are distinguished.

1. Increases the body's defenses. Microelements (the chemical composition of seeds includes magnesium, zinc, etc.), which they contain, help a person resist seasonal infections, and improve overall well-being. Vitamins A, E and C strengthen the immune system, contributing to a quick recovery from previous illnesses.
2. Normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system. Due to the content of trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, the seeds resist the formation of blood clots, restore the work of the heart muscle, relieve vascular spasms and do not increase blood pressure. People who eat pumpkin seeds in their diets rarely suffer from heart failure.
3. Solves problems with insomnia. The high content of beneficial trace elements contributes to the production of antidepressant hormones that improve mood, normalize sleep, relieve stress and restore the nervous system. Fats contained in the product help to resist stress and neuroses. Omega-3 improves memory with a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain.
4. Counteracts the development of diabetes. The benefits of pumpkin seeds are in lowering blood sugar levels.This is due to the content of easily digestible protein in them. The daily intake - 20-35 g of the product - will help regulate sugar levels.
5. Improves the skin. The beneficial substances contained in the raw materials help to make the skin supple, soft and healthy. The vitamin complex promotes the production of collagen, which resists the formation of wrinkles.
6. Benefits for vision. The unique content of trace elements allows the seeds to restore the functioning of the optic nerve, restoring the ability to see well even for the elderly. Phosphorus, vitamin A and amino acids protect the retina from the negative effects of natural phenomena, helping to reduce intraocular pressure.
7. Prevention of the formation of stones in the bladder. Raw materials are often used medicinally to restore kidney function. The product helps to normalize the functioning of the bladder, eliminating inflammation, preventing the formation of stones and salt deposits.
8. Fight against cancer cells. The inclusion of this raw material in the diet on an ongoing basis will significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Pumpkin seeds have a positive effect on hormone levels and cell renewal in the body, which prevents the development of disease.
9. Enhancement of mental activity. The beneficial substances that are included in the product help to improve blood circulation in the main parts of the brain, which leads to the elimination of dizziness, reduces anxiety and helps relieve stress.

The product is suitable for people of all ages

The beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds do not end there. They help the body resist toxins, remove harmful substances, restore the work of the musculoskeletal system, and have a beneficial effect on reproductive function. Oil made from pumpkin seeds is also useful. The product is allowed to be consumed by people of any age.

For men

Vegetable seeds are good for men's intimate health. Prevention of a dangerous disease for them (prostate adenoma) consists in the daily use of this product. The daily norm that is allowed to be taken in this case is 50 g of raw materials (the seeds must be peeled).

Useful substances help eliminate inflammatory processes in the body, help restore potency and prevent malignant tumors from forming.

In the treatment of prostatitis, ground pumpkin seeds are used. 2 tbsp. l. powder should be consumed twice a day before meals. You can drink them with water and honey.

Seeds need to be consumed by men who decide to have a child. The zinc contained in them has a beneficial effect on sperm, improving its quality. For this purpose, the raw materials are taken by men who have undergone chemotherapy or severe immune diseases.

The beneficial trace elements contained in the product help to reduce the level of male hormones. Treatment with seeds can restore hormones.

For women

The benefits of seeds for the female body is that their regular intake will help restore the good condition of the skin, hair and nails. The amino acids that make up their composition resist aging of the body. To make your skin beautiful and youthful, take 35 g of raw materials daily.

The oil from this product is used to prepare various cosmetic masks. They can be safely applied to the skin of the face with your hands, so the nails will be strengthened.

This product is irreplaceable during menopause. Pumpkin seeds have a beneficial effect on the female body, helping to cope with the unpleasant feeling of endless hot flashes, prevent blood pressure from increasing and migraines from developing.

Nausea is an integral part of pregnancy. Vegetable seeds will help you easily cope with this unpleasant feeling. Regular intake of raw materials saturates the body with useful microelements that strengthen the immune system, helping to maintain the health of a pregnant woman, and have a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus.

When taking raw materials, nausea, headaches, mood swings, sudden surges in hormones cease to disturb the fair sex.

It is allowed to include this product in your diet for a nursing mother, but you should not abuse the seeds, since they can cause individual intolerance in newborns. Monitor the baby's reaction: allergies will immediately make themselves felt.

For children

Crop seeds are an excellent prevention of helminthiasis. Children of all ages are fed this product to treat worms. Raw materials contain cucurbitin, an acid that is harmful to parasites. With this folk remedy, lamblia and ascaris are expelled from the body. Kids are given raw seeds to eat without a peel, medicinal infusions are prepared, pumpkin seed oil is used.

The benefits of this product for children are also in the rapid elimination of constipation. The amino acids that make up the product improve intestinal motility, normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and help get rid of accumulated gases.

The treatment of children involves the daily intake of these raw materials.

Different uses

Seeds are useful only fresh

Depending on whether the vegetable seeds have undergone heat treatment and whether they have been sprouted, their useful properties differ.

Raw or fried

If you want to start eating pumpkin seeds for preventive purposes, keep in mind that this product retains its beneficial properties only in its raw form. Fried raw materials completely lose their healing effect.

The seeds that have undergone heat treatment at more than 90 ° are susceptible to oxidation, which has a negative effect on the body. Reception of such raw materials will not only not be beneficial, but can also lead to a deterioration in well-being, therefore, they use raw seeds peeled from the skin.

You can dry the product slightly in the oven. This is a more pronounced taste for him.

Germinated

Similar to wheat, pumpkin seeds can be germinated easily. The product eaten in this form is rich in proteins and fats, contains healthy fiber. Sprouted raw materials are an excellent prevention of colds and cardiovascular diseases, the development of pathologies of the nervous system and the digestive tract.

The seeds resist atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure, cleanse the blood, prevent cholesterol from forming, improve sleep and normalize memory.

It is not difficult to germinate raw materials. Take 250 g of unpeeled seeds and place in a shallow bowl. Fill them with water. Make sure the liquid covers the product. Cover the container with gauze and store in a dark place. Once a day, it is necessary to drain the old water and add new one.

The most valuable sprouts are 2-2.5 cm in size. They appear in 2-3 days. It is not worth sprouting raw materials longer. The product is eaten raw (before meals or as an additive to soups and salads). The optimal dose that allows a person to maintain good health is 1 tbsp. l. seeds per day.

Treatment

In folk medicine, there are many medicinal recipes developed on the basis of this raw material.

Prostatitis

It is not difficult to prepare a cure for this unpleasant ailment. For this you will need 2 tbsp. seeds. Peel and grind them using kitchen appliances. Use the resulting raw materials to roll small balls out of it.

The product is well stored in the refrigerator and does not lose its useful properties when further frozen. Treatment of prostatitis involves the daily intake of such pumpkin balls. Doctors advise the stronger sex to drink a similar course at least once a year.

Potency problems

To overcome this ailment, a decoction is prepared from raw materials. You need to take 500 g of seeds. Do not peel them. Grind the product, cover with water and bring to a boil. Add 3-4 tbsp to the strained broth. l. honey. It must be drunk before meals at least 3 times a day. The treatment lasts 90 days.

Cystitis

To cope with this problem, which causes a lot of trouble, a pumpkin seed tincture will help. Prepare 3 tbsp. l. peeled seeds. Pour 100 ml of warm water over them and add 1.5 tbsp. l. granulated sugar. This medicinal mixture is infused for several hours. Store it in a clean glass container in the refrigerator. Take the medicine on an empty stomach 3 times a day.

Menopause symptoms

Seeds will help improve women's health

It is not difficult to prepare a folk remedy that will help restore the strength of the female body during menopause. For these purposes, take 50 g of raw materials and mix with a blender with 100 ml of water and 25 g of honey. Add linden flowers to the container with the infusion. They drink the medicine 2 times a day for 1-1.5 tsp.

Parasites

To overcome the disease, you need to mix 50 g of raw materials and 1 tbsp. l. honey. The remedy is given to the child early in the morning on an empty stomach. In the evening, it is important to give your baby a cleansing enema. A similar procedure is carried out for 3 days in a row.

There is another recipe to help rid your child of parasites. Take 150 g of powdered seeds. Mix with 55 g cocoa and 1.5 tsp. granulated sugar. Dissolve with water and form a "sausage" from the resulting dough.

Place it in the refrigerator until it hardens completely, then cut it in portions and give it to the child 3 times a day before meals.

Kidney inflammation

Prepare 1 tbsp. peeled seeds, chop them with a knife. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Wait for the broth to cool and strain it. Fresh drink is taken in 125 ml 2 times a day.

Cleansing the blood

This medicinal infusion is taken within a month. Take 5 tbsp. seeds and pour 0.5 liters of alcohol. You need to add 1-1.5 tbsp to the tincture. l. lemon juice. It is necessary to store the container with the medicine in a dark place. The drink is infused for 20 days. They drink a blood purifier 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l. before meals.

Prevention of constipation

For this purpose, crushed seeds infused with water are used. Take 1.5 tbsp. l. raw materials and pour 200 ml of boiled water. The infusion will be ready for use in an hour. You need to drink the drug during the day as often as possible in doses that do not exceed 1 tsp. in one go.

Against blood clots and cholesterol plaques

The substance phytofterol, which is contained in seeds, counteracts the formation of harmful substances in the body. A medicinal decoction from seeds copes with them no worse than recognized tableted preparations. It is very simple to prepare it. Take 125 mg of crushed raw materials and pour boiling water over it.

Do not keep the container with the decoction on gas for more than 5 minutes. Strain the cooled liquid and pour into a glass jar. Take 3 tbsp. l. before bedtime.

To improve your mood

The enzymes that make up pumpkin seeds will help improve the emotional background of a person. 100 g of the product contains substances that contribute to the production of the hormone of joy. By including it in your daily diet, you will get rid of depression forever.

Please note that even folk remedies have contraindications that must be taken into account before starting the treatment process.

Harm and contraindications

Seeds are high in calories

Despite the tremendous benefits of pumpkin seeds, they can be unhealthy. The main contraindications are associated with individual intolerance to raw materials. For people who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the number of calories in the composition is large.

This food can be heavy or fatty food that can aggravate gastritis and ulcers. The favorite delicacy of many - fried and sprinkled with salt seeds - negatively affects the work of the musculoskeletal system. Salt is deposited in the joints, which is why arthrosis and arthritis develop, so pumpkin seeds should be eaten fresh.

The existing contraindications are also associated with the fact that the unrefined product adversely affects the condition of the teeth, which leads to caries, problems with the gums. To avoid this, consume it without the peel.

Seeds contaminated with spores of pathogenic microorganisms can cause inflammation if they enter the oral cavity. Take care of your health and try not to eat too much food at a time.

Cleaning tips

It is good if you have grown the pumpkin yourself and collected its seeds. More often you have to buy this vegetable in a store or in the market. In this case, it is important to properly prepare the seeds for use.

1. Rinse the raw material thoroughly under running water. Seeds that have pieces of pulp left on will not store well. If you feel that a pronounced unpleasant smell comes from them, they are infected with a fungus and you cannot eat this product.
2. Dry thoroughly. Raw seeds have a soft peel and are easy to peel.
3. If you need a large amount of raw materials, use the following method: rinse the seeds that you got from the pumpkin under water using a colander. Make sure the liquid is glass. Place the seeds on a baking sheet and dry in the oven at the lowest temperature. Remember to open the oven door slightly. The product should dry out a little, and not fry.
4. You can easily peel the seeds with scissors. Cut off the hardened edge where the rind meets on 2 sides. Then turn the seed over and, using light pressure, extract its core.
5. Another cleaning method is used in large restaurants when preparing dishes using pumpkin seeds. After washing, the raw materials are dried on parchment. Using a rolling pin, the seeds are rolled out like a regular dough. This simple manipulation helps the peel to separate from the nucleoli. Then the raw material must be placed in a pot of warm water. After a few minutes of boiling, the peel will be at the bottom of the container, and the peeled kernels will float up. They are easy to reach with a slotted spoon.

Nowadays, new varieties of pumpkin have been bred, the seeds of which do not have a peel, so if you grow melons, try planting such a hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

Many people, when using or choosing pumpkin seeds, ask questions regarding their quality and differences from other types. Below are the answers to the most common ones.

Why seeds are bitter

Often it turns out that the seeds purchased in the store are bitter, because of which their taste deteriorates and becomes unpleasant. Usually this product has a pleasant sweetish flavor. A bitter aftertaste occurs if the raw material was not stored properly or was grown many years ago.

These seeds should not be eaten. They can be harmful to health, causing the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Is the peel good for you

There are many useful microelements in unrefined seeds, but the product is usually eaten without a peel. It is tasteless and poses a great danger to the digestive system, since it is difficult to digest.

The rind of dried seeds is used as the main ingredient in the preparation of many folk remedies. Decoctions, tinctures, rubbing are made from it.

Is it possible to recover from seeds

The question that worries the fair sex concerns the dietary properties of this product. Women want to know if the calorie content of pumpkin seeds affects their figure. Nutritionists reassure: it is impossible to get better from them. On the contrary, weight loss coaches advise using raw materials as a light snack.

Due to its beneficial properties, the product will easily satisfy the feeling of hunger and replenish the spent energy, strengthen the immune system. Raw materials cleanse the body of accumulated toxins and harmful substances, which contributes to weight loss.

Differences from sunflower seeds

Often, people who decide to use pumpkin seeds to improve their health wonder why this product is better than sunflower seeds. It is proved that both types of raw materials are useful for the human body, but pumpkin seeds contain a greater amount of valuable trace elements and amino acids.

They not only have a higher calorie content, but also overtake their "counterparts" in terms of protein (15%), fat (1.5%) and vitamins. They contain 2 times more manganese, potassium, phosphorus and iron than sunflower seeds.