Pumpkin oil, or pumpkin seed oil, is most commonly used for culinary purposes due to its nutty taste and high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is often used as a topping for vanilla ice cream or combined with honey for use as a salad dressing. Pumpkin oil has been used for centuries in folk medicine as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions. A study published in 2003 in "European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology" confirmed the presence of antioxidants in pumpkin oil. The consumption of pumpkin oil can promote many beneficial health effects due to the presence of antioxidants.
Prostate Health
Scientific research have shown the administration of pumpkin oil can have beneficial effects on the prostate. A study performed by Department of Urology at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan revealed that the administration of pumpkin oil effectively reduced the size and weight of prostate glands in study subjects. In addition, the concentration of proteins that promote prostate enlargement was significantly reduced in study subjects treated with pumpkin oil. This study was performed on rats, but the results of this study are encouraging further research with clinical trials that involve humans.
Cholesterol Benefits
Scientific studies have also shown that the consumption of pumpkin seeds is also beneficial in regulating serum lipid levels. A study performed by the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica revealed that a diet supplemented with pumpkin oil provided lower total cholesterol, lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, lower triglycerides and higher high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol levels than individuals who were not treated with pumpkin oil.
Blood Pressure Benefits
Scientific research has also proven that consumption of pumpkin oil promotes beneficial blood pressure properties. A study performed by the Pharmacology Department at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia revealed that a dose of 40 mg per kg of pumpkin oil revealed a therapeutic decrease in blood pressure. The study also showed that a pretreatment regimen with pumpkin oil for a period of four weeks greatly enhanced the effects of the hypertension medications felodipine and captopril in hypertensive study subjects.
References
- PubMed.gov: Pumpkin Seed Oil and Phytosterol-F Can Block Testosterone/Prazosin-Induced Prostate Growth In Rats
- Drugs.com: Pumpkin
- PubMed.gov: Supplementation With Pumpkin Seed Oil Improves Plasma Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Female Non-Ovariectomized and Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley Rats
- PubMed.gov: Pumpkin-Seed Oil Modulates the Effect of Felodipine and Captopril In Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
- PubMed.gov: Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Saw Palmetto Oil In Korean Men With Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- "European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology" 2003 : Fluorescence Screening of Antioxidant Capacity in Pumpkin Seed Oils and Other Natural Oils
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