Pumpkins are more than filling for pie or to carve at Halloween; these fruits contain seeds that provide many health benefits. Raw pumpkin seeds are delicious as a snack or can be incorporated into various foods for added flavor. These chewy seeds are also called pepitas, and you can buy them pre-packaged or take them straight from a pumpkin.
Osteoporosis Protection
Pumpkin seeds have many nutrients that contribute to overall good health. One-fourth cup of raw pumpkin seeds contains 2.57 mg of zinc, which is more than 17 percent of the recommended daily amount, as stated by the World's Healthiest Foods resource. Zinc is important for bone density, particularly among older men. Greater bone density reduces the incidence of fractures associated with osteoporosis, a condition that affects 1 in 8 men over the age of 50
Reducing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pumpkin seeds contain alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, a type of essential fatty acid known as omega-3. These types of fatty acids can reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, decreasing inflammatory response. Dietary pumpkin seeds can control pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis in a manner similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that are frequently used for this condition.
Lower Cholesterol
Raw pumpkin seeds contain fiber, which means portions of the seeds are indigestible by the body. According to Oklahoma State University, fiber controls bowel function and helps protect the body against heart disease and colon cancer. Fiber also helps to lower cholesterol by attaching to cholesterol in the intestine so it can be excreted from the body. Pumpkin seeds also contain phytosterols, a plant compound that lowers cholesterol, increasing heart health and lowering the risk of heart disease.
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