Pumpkins are very good chewy snacks and they are also full of healthy properties like manganese, protein, zinc. Pumpkin seeds are small nutritional powerhouses wrapped in little packages.
Thus, eating them will help your body lower cholesterol levels, prevent diabetes and osteoporosis and if you’ve been trying to lose weight and the results are still not showing, try eating pumpkin seeds.
- Diabetes
Pumpkin seeds are full of healthy fats and are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The unsaturated fatty acids regulate blood sugar and consuming them daily can help you do that.
- Lowers Bad Cholesterol Level
Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds can help lower the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) in the body. In a 2012 study published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, researchers found that rats induced with atherosclerosis and supplemented with pumpkin seeds showed a significant increase in protective high-density lipoproteins (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol) as well as a decrease in LDL cholesterol.
When you feel hungry eat a handful of pumpkin seeds and they will reduce the hunger for more food.
- Menopause
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in natural phytoestrogens and studies suggest it may lead to a significant increase in good “HDL” cholesterol along with decreases in blood pressure, hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.5
- Relieves Arthritis inflammation
Pumpkin seeds and their oil exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and hence are very helpful in treating arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Their anti-inflammatory and pain-suppressing properties can alleviate pain and inflammation in the joints.
- Protects your bones
Zinc is the most important mineral for the health of the bones, and consuming pumpkin seeds will help prevent osteoporosis.
- Regulates Sleep
Pumpkin seeds contain a high amount of tryptophan, an amino acid that the body converts into serotonin and then into melatonin. They help promote a restful night’s sleep. Additionally, the zinc in these seeds assists the brain in converting tryptophan into serotonin.