In any store you can find a large number of sunflower seeds from various manufacturers. Next to regular seeds, you can sometimes find a pumpkin version, which has a higher price. At the same time, not everyone knows about the value of the pumpkin product, which is why the demand for its seeds is extremely low. Today you will learn what is included in pumpkin seeds, how to use them, what diseases can be cured with their help, and whether pumpkin products are used in cosmetology.
Basic information
Pumpkin seeds are considered one of the most useful plant seeds for a reason.
Compound
The benefits of a product are primarily determined by its components. Approximately 40 percent of the product consists of fats. Pumpkin seeds contain minerals, phytosterols, organic acids, etc.
Table 1. Components
| Name | More details |
| Carotenoids | Antioxidants, precursors of vitamin A |
| Phytosterols | Reduces the amount of cholesterol absorption |
| Fatty acid | Stearic, oleic, palmitic, linoleic |
| Carotene | Strengthens the immune system, is necessary for maintaining vision, etc. |
| Amino acids | Components of proteins necessary to build the body |
These are not all the components that contribute to the benefits of pumpkin seeds. Daily consumption of just 30 grams of the product allows you to get approximately 15% of proteins, 40% of magnesium, 20% of copper, 15% of zinc from the required daily dose.
Calorie content per 100 grams
The product is high-calorie. Its use should be limited.
Table 2. How many calories are in 100 grams of pumpkin seeds
| Squirrels | 24-25 grams |
| Fats | 45.7-46 grams |
| Carbohydrates | About 5 grams |
| Calorie content of pumpkin seeds | Approximately 560 Kcal |
What does it contain?
Separately, it should be noted the variety of vitamins in the composition. In particular, 30 grams contains almost 1/5 of the daily dose of vitamins K. Among what is contained in pumpkin seeds, vitamin C deserves attention. It is necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes and is an antioxidant. The product is also rich in B vitamins, especially thiamine.
Application in home cosmetology
Pumpkin seeds are also used for cosmetic purposes, so we’ll tell you what can be done using pumpkin products and how to use these care products.
Nourishing face mask
This cosmetic product will help improve the condition of dry and damaged facial skin without the use of chemicals.
First we need to take 2 tbsp. l. fresh or dried seeds, then grind them in a coffee grinder to a powdery state. The product is pre-peeled. Next, mix with 1 tbsp. l. kefir, add 1 tsp. lemon juice and honey. Mix thoroughly and place in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
The entire composition should be distributed over the skin of the face, left for 15 minutes and rinsed with warm water. At the end of the procedure, you can apply baby cream to the skin.
Pumpkin, like watermelon, is a berry, and one of the largest in the world. There are “berries” that weigh more than 1 ton.
Rejuvenating decoction
For this remedy we will need only raw pumpkin seeds. Take 1 cup of the product, peel it and grind it in a coffee grinder. You can use a blender. Next, pour the resulting composition into 1 liter of water and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, immediately remove from heat and leave to steep for 2-3 hours. The resulting infusion must be filtered.
We use the finished product as a lotion for wiping the skin of the face, hands and décolleté.
Hair Mask
Take 200 g of peeled raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a blender or coffee grinder, and then mix them with 20 ml of boiled cold water. Next, you need to mix thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous mass.
The mask is applied to dry hair before washing your hair. The composition is distributed along the entire length of the hair. Next, you need to put on a bath cap and wait about 20 minutes. The mask should be washed off using shampoo.
How are they beneficial for the human body?
Consumption of the product in reasonable doses will be beneficial. The benefits of pumpkin seeds are expressed in the general strengthening of the body, improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. We will consider these and other properties in the table.
Table 3. What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds for the body?
| Immunity stabilization | Vitamins and macro- and microelements in the composition help strengthen the protective properties |
| Musculoskeletal system | Phosphorus and zinc are essential for the formation of healthy bones and joint maintenance |
| Heart and blood vessels | The product contains a large amount of magnesium |
| Nervous system | Acids have a beneficial effect, providing a calming effect |
| Gastrointestinal organs | Consumption of seeds improves digestion, relieves gas formation, has a hepatoprotective effect, etc. |
| Genitourinary system | Seeds prevent the development of urolithiasis, have a positive effect on the course of prostatitis and BPH |
The product has a hypoglycemic effect, lowers blood cholesterol levels, is recommended for the prevention of atherosclerosis, etc. What other benefits pumpkin seeds have for the human body should be checked with a nutritionist.
How much can you eat per day
Considering the calorie content of the product, as well as the level of fat content, consumption should be limited to 25 g per day. This applies to those people who consume pumpkin seeds for medicinal purposes and also use them for weight loss. During pregnancy, the need for vitamins and microelements doubles, respectively, the daily norm increases to 50 g.
Of course, you can use the product in any quantity, because this is not a drug that can cause severe poisoning, but it is worth remembering that if the specified dose is exceeded, most of the beneficial properties are leveled out and a negative effect appears.
To avoid having to weigh the seeds every day, remember that 1 seed weighs about half a gram.
Can I take it for pancreatitis?
The instructions for the pharmaceutical product do not include this pathology in the list of indications for use. You can use pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis. The disease is an inflammation of the pancreas, and the seeds can bring relief to the patient during the inflammatory process. In case of acute type of pathology, you should not consume the product.
Dried pumpkin seeds are the most beneficial
Contraindications and harm
It is forbidden to consume pumpkin seeds during an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers, colitis). Also, you should not use the product for chronic gastritis in remission if there is increased stomach acidity. If you are allergic to pumpkin pulp, then the seeds are also not recommended for you - the product can cause a severe allergic reaction in you.
Excessive consumption of pumpkin seeds causes congestion in the joints.
Now you know everything about pumpkin seeds to decide whether you should consume them daily or use them exclusively for medicinal purposes. Remember that the product is high in calories, and that beneficial compounds are destroyed during cooking.
Useful properties for women
The product is recommended for the fair sex. The beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds will not only have a beneficial effect on your appearance, but will also affect the internal state of the body.
Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
This effect is due to the fatty acids contained in pumpkin seeds. Their consumption has a positive effect on fat metabolism and leads to a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Reducing fatty deposits in the liver
The list of indications for use includes fatty liver.
The ketogenic diet is especially effective for treating this disease. It is built on “forcing” the body to use fats as the main source of energy. The basis of the diet is foods containing fatty acids. These include pumpkin seeds. Their consumption together with sufficient physical activity gives excellent results.
Also on the website, read about the benefits of sunflower seeds and walnuts, as well as flaxseed, sea buckthorn and cedar oils.
Hepatoprotective effect
The chemical composition of pumpkin seeds determines the hepatoprotective effect. The presence of the same “correct” fatty acids has a beneficial effect on the liver. The presence of vitamin A allows you to restore the antioxidant function of the liver, including after certain diseases, such as hepatitis A.
Choleretic effect
The effect is closely related to the hepatoprotective effect. The choleretic activity of pumpkin seeds manifests itself in facilitating the outflow of bile, reducing the load on the liver parenchyma and normalizing the general condition of the liver.
During pregnancy
In the process of bearing a child, women face numerous restrictions. Are pumpkin seeds good for pregnancy? Undoubtedly! They are rich in folic acid, which is necessary for the formation of a healthy embryo. They also contain other necessary components. If there are no contraindications, you can safely consume the product.
Why can they taste bitter?
Many people have encountered the fact that seeds that looked good when consumed gave an unpleasant bitter taste, which is why they lost the desire to continue consuming the product.
The problem is not in the preparation (drying or frying), but in the fact that the raw materials were originally like that. If the seeds remain in the picked pumpkin for a long time, then, due to the presence of favorable conditions, they begin to germinate little by little. Sprouted seeds become bitter, and this bitterness does not disappear after drying or frying.
It is impossible to distinguish a bitter product from a normal one in appearance, since at the first stage of germination the seeds do not change in any way, however, changes occur at the chemical level, which is why such a product cannot be eaten. Of course, 1-2 seeds will not affect your health in any way, but if you eat a lot of them, then you are guaranteed to have problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
What do men get help from?
The seeds are also an excellent addition to the daily diet for men. Let's look at what pumpkin seeds help the stronger sex with next.
Reducing symptoms of prostate hyperplasia
Previously, the pathology was called prostate adenoma. It is believed that the disease develops as a result of the action of testosterone. However, official medicine considers the causes of the pathology to be unknown, so the preventive effect of seeds against adenoma is questioned.
Phytoestrogens have an antiandrogenic effect, that is, they help reduce testosterone levels, which makes it possible to recommend the product for the symptomatic relief of prostate hyperplasia.
Relieves pain from prostatitis
A high zinc content has a positive effect on the cure for prostatitis. Therapy based solely on seeds will not bring the desired result. With an integrated approach to the issue, the product will help relieve inflammation and relieve discomfort.
Regeneration of liver cells in case of toxic or viral damage
The components of the product make it possible to recommend it for the restoration of hepatocytes in cases of damage of various etiologies. Not only the seeds, but also the pumpkin itself, boiled or steamed, will bring benefits.
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Cholesterol formations located on the inner lining of blood vessels, provoked by lipid metabolism disorders, are called atherosclerosis. To prevent this condition, a balanced diet is recommended, containing the “right” fatty acids. The source of these is pumpkin seeds.
Benefits of sprouted pumpkin seeds
The benefits are achieved by eating sprouted pumpkin seeds. The product goes well with other ingredients after pre-grinding. Milk made from pumpkin seeds is particularly beneficial.
Milk from sprouts is drunk or added to baked goods. To preserve the benefits of pumpkin seed milk, grind 50 g of sprouts and add a glass of water. After straining, the remaining sprouts are squeezed out.
Pumpkin sprouts have the following beneficial properties:
- restoration of metabolic processes;
- elimination of general weakness and insomnia;
- normalization of the liver, gall and bladder, kidneys;
- therapy of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive sphere;
- improved brain functioning;
- stabilization of psycho-emotional state;
- slowing down aging.
Attention! Sprouts improve hair condition and have anti-cancer properties.
How to use?
The product can be consumed separately or added to salads or baked goods. Among the ways to take pumpkin seeds, the leading ones are the recipe with the addition of honey and consumption in their natural form.
Recommended daily dose
For medicinal purposes, it is important not only the quality of the product and the method of its consumption, but also the dosage.
Doctors recommend consuming approximately 30-40 grams. In rare cases, the amount can be increased, but not more than doubled. How many grams of pumpkin seeds should be eaten per day for various pathologies should be checked with your doctor. To get rid of helminths, it is allowed to consume not the kernels, but an infusion of the seeds. The method of preparing the product is described in the instructions for use.
With honey
Most often, this combination is used to get rid of helminths. Pumpkin seeds with honey normalize digestion, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the kidneys and increase immunity. However, honey is an allergenic product and should be consumed with caution.
Is it possible to eat with the peel?
The seeds are quite difficult to clean. That is why lovers of healthy snacks have a question about whether it is possible to eat pumpkin seeds with the skin on. This method has two disadvantages. Firstly, such eating will harm the digestive system. Secondly, it will not bring taste pleasure. You shouldn’t eat the peel, but it’s better not to peel off the green film underneath. It contains many healthy components.
In what form is it best to consume?
Fresh seeds retain absolutely all vitamins and minerals, so this product is the healthiest, but it may contain dangerous microorganisms that cause digestive disorders and other problems.
Dried seeds lose some of their vitamins and minerals, since during the drying process they are influenced by, albeit small, but still high temperatures. Heating during the drying process helps get rid of dangerous microorganisms, thereby making the seeds suitable for consumption. Also, the percentage of moisture in such seeds decreases, and the calorie content per unit of mass increases.
The fried product loses the lion's share of vitamins and minerals, since the temperatures during frying are very high, and accordingly, it is several times less healthy than fresh. At the same time, we can say with confidence that such a product is completely free of germs and bacteria.
How to Quickly Peel and Click
It’s worth saying right away that the usual method for many people of cleaning seeds using the front teeth is unacceptable, since you violate the integrity of the enamel. Since it takes a long time to peel each seed by hand, we will tell you about a quick way to clean the product. Let us clarify that this method is used when the taste of the seeds is important, and not the vitamin or mineral composition.
First, we clean the seeds from the pulp in running water. Next, they are laid out on a metal tray and kneaded with a rolling pin so as to slightly disrupt the integrity of the peel, but not damage the kernel. After this, pour the seeds into boiling water and boil them for about half an hour. The idea is that the light peel will remain on the surface, and the heavier kernels will accumulate at the bottom of the container. The failed product should be dried before use.
In Kyrgyzstan, special jugs are made from pumpkins in which kumiss is stored. Such a vessel extends the shelf life of the drink. But in Africa, an empty pumpkin is used as a protective motorcycle helmet.
How to dry
To obtain a more or less healthy product, from which all vitamins have not disappeared under the influence of temperature, you should dry it in the oven at a temperature of no more than 80 ° C. You must first remove the pulp from the seeds and then dry them without using any equipment. Simply place on a baking sheet and leave for several hours.
Next, place all the seeds in one layer on the same baking sheet, and then place them in the oven. Place on the middle level so that the seeds do not burn on top or bottom. After this, set the temperature from 60 to 80 °C and leave for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the seeds. During the drying process, be sure to stir the product, otherwise it may burn.
Watch the video to see how you can cook delicious pumpkin seeds in the oven.
You can also use a microwave oven for drying. To do this, take a special vessel that has a sufficiently large bottom area and at the same time fits into the unit. Next, set the power to 600 W, then wait 20 minutes. Since a microwave oven heats from different sides, there is no need to turn the product over. It is worth remembering that the seeds that are in the center of the vessel may not dry out. Therefore, it is better not to put them there, but to place them closer to the edges.
Is it possible to fry
As with the sunflower product, pumpkin seeds can also be roasted in a pan if you don't have an oven or microwave. During the frying process, as you might have guessed, sunflower oil or any other fat is not used, which is worth remembering.
To fry the seeds, you need to take a frying pan, heat it over medium heat, and then add the seeds. Do not fill the pan completely, otherwise some seeds may not be fried. About 10-15 minutes are enough to get the finished product. During frying, be sure to stir the product, otherwise the bottom layer may burn.
If you are using a hob, then set the heating temperature to between 100-120 °C.
Ready seeds always have a yellowish tint. Blackened specimens should not be eaten.
