Pumpkin Seeds a Trick or a Treat?

With autumn well underway, most of us will have noticed the tell signs of the season. What with all different shaped pumpkins and gourds filling up the market stalls, to the colourful change of leaves flooding the streets and the return of the ever-famous pumpkin spice latte. October is here, and we intend to deliver the same ambience it provides us all. That being said, read on for the five benefits pumpkin seeds can provide you this spooky season.

May Help Improve Sleep

A lesser-known benefit of Pumpkin Seeds is their ability to aid with sleep! Pumpkin Seeds are a natural source of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that may help boost sleep.

The mineral zinc also present in Pumpkin Seeds helps convert the tryptophan into serotonin, which is then changed into melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Further, pumpkin seeds are a great source of the mineral magnesium. Proper magnesium levels are known to be associated with better sleep quality as well.  

Small studies have found taking a magnesium supplement boosted sleep quality and total sleep time in people with low magnesium levels.

Pumpkin Seeds Boost Hormone Levels

Pumpkin Seeds are used in Seed Cycling; an alternative medicine practice believed to aid in regulating reproductive hormones. As mentioned above, Pumpkin Seeds provide a high content of the nutrient zinc. Zinc has an impact on several different areas of your body. 

This includes the reproductive system and pituitary glands. Zinc is essential in the production of progesterone; it increases the production of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). 

The stimulation of FSH causes ovulation, leading to the production of progesterone. 

Its health benefits include helping regulate periods, easing symptoms of menopause, reducing acne, endometriosis, treating polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), infertility, fatigue, and mood swings. 

Seeds are rich in essential nutrients and fatty acids such as selenium and zinc, which are vital for the creation of healthy hormones.

May Boost Heart Health

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, zinc, antioxidants, and fatty acids, which may help boost heart health.

Animal studies have shown Pumpkin Seed oil may reduce high blood pressure and high LDP, Low-density lipoprotein. Also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol. These are two of the most important risk factors for heart disease. 

Some other studies suggest that pumpkins’ ability to increase the generation of nitric oxide in the body may be responsible for the positive effects on heart health. Nitric oxide is beneficial as it helps boos the expansion of blood vessels. This expansion helps improve blood flow and reduces the risk of plaque growth in arteries. 

They are Easy to Add to Your Diet

If you’re looking to experience the benefits of pumpkin seeds, they’re easy enough to incorporate into your diet.

Pumpkin Seeds are a popular snack often eaten either raw, roasted, salted, or unsalted.

Besides eating them on their own, Pumpkin Seeds can be added to smoothies, Greek yoghurt and fruit.

They can also be incorporated by adding them into meals by sprinkling them into salads, soups or cereals. Some people use pumpkin seeds in baking as an ingredient for sweet or savoury bread and cakes.

However, as with many seeds and nuts, they contain phytic acid, which can reduce the bioavailability of some nutrients you eat.

If you eat seeds and nuts regularly, you may want to soak or sprout them to reduce their phytic acid content. Roasting them may help as well.

Rich in Antioxidants

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help rid the ‘free radicals in the body that may cause damage to cells. Pumpkin Seeds contain several antioxidants such as vitamin E and carotenoids. Antioxidants may aid in the reduction of inflammation, consuming antioxidant-rich foods can help protect against many diseases.

Pumpkin Seeds are known to be suitable for the immune system due to the presence of vitamin E and zinc. Vitamin E enhances the body's immune response and helps protect against infectious diseases. While zinc protects our bodies from inflammation, invading pathogens, and allergies. Thereby helping prevent infections and boosting overall immunity. Pumpkin Seeds also exhibit antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.

Treats on Treats

Pumpkin Seeds are a highly nutritious, antioxidant-packed, healthful snack.

Adding them to your diet may help solve deficiencies and may aid against various health problems.

Further, their rich nutrient profile brings other health benefits in tow, such as improved immune function, boosted energy, and mood.

The best part of it all is they can easily be added to your diet, allowing you to reap many benefits and positive effects.

Pumpkin Seeds have been thoroughly checked and inspected; Pumpkin Seeds have been found to be… a healthful and delicious TREAT!