Top 10 Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkins are large fruits which were originally discovered in North America,  and were used a nutritious food source by Native Americans.

Inside pumpkins you find flat seeds which are covered in a white husk (shell). When  you remove this you typically get light green coloured seeds.

These seeds are some of the most nutritious, healthy and medicinal  foods in the world for supporting a healthy body and treating various health problems.

In fact the Aztecs were using these seeds over 7,500 years ago in Mexico.

Nowadays people often use pumpkins to make Jack-O-Lanterns during Halloween,  or to make a delicious pumpkin pie and the seeds are often thrown away.

You can get organic dried pumpkin seeds in  supermarkets and health foods stores all over the world, and eat them on a daily basis to enjoy the 10 incredible  health benefits that I’ll be talking about today.

Just a quick reminder, this video is for educational purposes only  so do speak to your doctor if you have any medical concerns.

May Improve Heart Health

Pumpkin seeds are one of the richest sources of magnesium (168mg per oz).

This electrolyte mineral helps to keep your heart beating in a  regular rhythm by controlling electrical impulses. It prevents tightness and spasms in your arteries which could have  led to high blood pressure and heart attacks.

They are high in Vitamin E which helps to improve oxygen flow to your heart and  around your body, preventing cramping of the heart muscle.

So if you suffer with heart arrythmias, angina,  palpitations or high bp, or cardiovascular disease these seeds could really help you.

Aids in Prostate Health

Many men suffer with prostate enlargement (BPH) as they get older due to a hormonal imbalance.

This causes frequent urination because the prostate gland puts  pressure on the bladder and the urinary tube (urethra).

However, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil is  often used a natural remedy to help shrink the prostate back down to its normal size.

Pumpkin seeds are extremely high in Zinc, a trace mineral which help to reduce DHT and  balance testosterone to help shrink the prostate back down to its normal size.

The phytosterols found in pumpkin  seeds also improve urinary flow by helping the muscles to relax and allow it to flow normally.

May help fertility

If you’re looking to conceive a child it’s also recommended to start  eating more nutritious foods like pumpkin seeds on a daily basis, (man or woman).

The zinc content in these seeds helps to improve sperm quality in men, and it also  plays a key role in helping fertilized eggs to divide into an embryo in women.

Eating pumpkin seeds whilst pregnant can help  to prevent birth defects in babies such as skeletal problems and fallen arches.

Promotes Better Sleep

Eating pumpkin seeds can also help  you to sleep better at night and treat insomnia naturally because of their high magnesium content.

This is known as the calming mineral,  because it relaxes the nervous system and the muscles throughout the body.

Magnesium in pumpkin seeds helps your brain to produce melatonin,  a hormone that regulates your sleep/wake cycles.

Relieve Stress and Anxiety

In addition to improving your sleep, which will naturally reduce stress,  pumpkin seeds are also rich in tryptophan.

This helps to boost serotonin a neurochemical  which helps you to feel focused, calm, emotionally stable and happy.

So if you suffer with stress, anxiety, depression,  PMDD, ADHD, Tourette’s, Hyperactivity or you grind your teeth at night, you may want to try eating 3tbs of these seeds with your evening meal  for 2 weeks and notice how things start to calm down.

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Bone Strength

The bones in your body are living tissue,  and they need lots of magnesium, and other minerals to keep them strong and healthy.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in manganese, phosphorus and magnesium, all of which have  functions in building bone and connective tissue, and keeping it dense and strong.

Eating these are reduce the risk of osteoporosis especially in women following menopause.

Menopause Support

Women go through the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, which causes hormonal changes  that lead to hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, insomnia and a high risk of osteoporosis.

Pumpkin seeds contain healthy phytoestrogens which help to  replace lost hormones during menopause and bring everything into balance.

The Vitamin E within also helps to prevent breast cancer in women by stabilizing hormones  and supporting the “master gland” called the pituitary in the brain.

Hair Growth

As pumpkin seeds are very  concentrated in zinc, they can help to prevent hair loss for people who have gone through stress.

When you are stressed, your body release more cortisol which depletes our zinc stores. This can cause your hair to start thinning out very quickly because  your body needs its zinc to produce keratin proteins that make up your hair strands.

So getting more pumpkin seeds into your diet, along with Vitamin C rich foods and heme-iron  from meats can help to thicken the hair back up and improve its growth phase (anagen),  whilst minimizing its stagnant and shedding phases (telogen & exogen)

9. Anti-Diabetic

Scientific studies show that pumpkin  seeds can also help to reduce insulin resistance in the body.

This is due to the Vitamin E, zinc, magnesium and fatty acid content,  as all of these nutrients help your cells accept more fuel and nutrients.

This lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,  weight gain and obesity because it helps to naturally stabilize your blood sugars.

10. Boosted Energy

If you find yourself often tired, fatigued and weak then you may be lacking in antioxidants,  essential amino acids and other nutrients.

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent all-around energy  booster because of how packed full of nutrients that they are.

Try eat 2-3 tablespoons of these seeds with your evening meal for  at least 2 weeks and notice how your energy levels are boosted.

This is because you’re getting better sleep, your stress is coming down,  your cells are accepting more fuel and your heart is working a little better.

It’s also important however that you realise no food that you eat can overcome bad eating habits.

You need to cut out the refined junk foods, the sugars, inflammatory oils and flour based  foods if you really want to experience the benefits that I talk about in these videos.

However, eating pumpkin seeds will give you the energy boost that you  need to start making these changes to your habits, a little at a time.

How To Use Pumpkin Seeds

There are many different ways you can use pumpkin seeds to get them into your diet.

Try blending them into delicious smoothies perhaps with a little MCT oil for an energy boost.

You can also just simply eat them raw, I recommend 2-3 tablespoons per day or a small handful.

I recommend mixing them with other healthy seeds and nuts to make a granola,  with perhaps chopped walnuts, pecans an sunflower seeds You can toss them into delicious salads to texture

You can mix them with sugar free dark chocolate to make a healthy yet tasty treat Of if your using these medicinally you may consider grinding them into a powder and mixing them with your food.

Men with prostate enlargement often take pumpkin seed oil capsules,  as these are highly concentrated and can help with urinary problems.

Please make sure that you use only organic pumpkin seeds and avoid the cheaper variety.

None-organic produce is usually grown in the presence of pesticides, herbicides and  insecticide chemicals which can interfere with your delicate hormone balance when you eat them.