You may be throwing away one of the most valuable parts of your Halloween pumpkin. The seeds inside the pumpkin, also known as pepitas, are not only flavorful, but they are also packed full of nutrition. You can purchase pumpkin seeds any time of year, but the best ones are found in the fall inside your fresh pumpkin.
Anti-Inflammatory Protection
Pumpkin seeds contain a high number of anti-oxidants. A study published in the January 2005 issue of the medical journal "Pharmacological Research" shows that pumpkin seed oil (PSO) works to reduce inflammation that causes arthritis. The effects of pumpkin seed oil are compared to those of indomethacin, a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug, and the oil is shown to be just as efficient in relieving arthritic inflammation.
Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits
Pumpkin seed oil, extracted from the seeds, is the subject of another study, published in the July 2008 issue of "Phytotherapy Research." When the rats fed pumpkin seed oil were compared with rats fed corn oil, the PSO recipients had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower triglycerides and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels than the rats who had received corn oil. The PSO had also reduced blood pressure levels.
Pumpkin seeds are very rich in compounds called "phytosterols." According to the World's Healthiest Foods (WHF) encyclopedia, phytosterols are very much like the cholesterol that is inside the body. When enough phytosterols are in the body, it is believed that they reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood. WHF also states that they boost the immune system and lower cancer risks.
Essential Minerals
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with essential minerals. The WHF states that just 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds offers 1.04 mg of manganese. This is over 50 per cent of the RDA (recommended daily allowance.) Manganese is needed to keep bones strong, normalize blood sugar and regulate cholesterol. Other necessary elements in pumpkin seeds are magnesium, phosphorous, tryptophan, iron, copper, protein, zinc and vitamin K.
Pumpkin seeds make a great snack eaten raw or roasted, and they also are a great addition to oatmeal cookie recipes.
Member Comments