Six Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are one of the hidden gems of nutrition for those looking to live a longer and healthier life. Switching out your normal snack for pumpkin seeds could make a huge difference for your health.

Here are six extraordinary benefits of incorporating pumpkin seeds into your diet.

1. Packed Full of the Good Fats (Omegas)

As we discussed here, omegas are essential to physical and mental health. 28 grams of pumpkin seeds have 13 grams of fat, with 6 grams of omega-6s.

Pumpkin seeds are also extremely nutritious with high levels of iron, vitamin K, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, and copper.

2. Good Source of Plant-Based Protein

Pumpkin seeds are a great way to incorporate plant-based protein into the diet, with 28 grams of seeds containing 7 grams of protein.

Another great way of gaining additional plant-based protein is through our pea and rice protein powder.

3. Antioxidant Benefits to Reduce Chances of Cancer

Antioxidants are key to protecting the body against inflammation and chronic disease. Increasing your intake of antioxidants can make a huge difference for your health.

A study of 3000 women by the German Cancer Research Institute suggested that pumpkin seeds in the diet was related to a reduced risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

4. Sleep Improvement

Containing 37% of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, pumpkin seeds help relax the body and could aid with better sleep. Magnesium has also been shown to improve mood.

5. Improve Prostate Health

Multiple studies have shown that regularly eating pumpkin seeds may benefit an overactive bladder and relieve symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia (a prostate deficiency common in older men).

6. Improve Blood Sugar & Pressure

A study conducted on people with type 2 diabetes demonstrated that pumpkin seeds reduced blood sugar levels; an additional study of 125,000 people showed that diets high in magnesium resulted in a 33% lower risk of diabetes.

The National Institute of Health also published a study showing that pumpkin seeds reduced blood pressure by 7% in postmenopausal women and increased good cholesterol levels by 16%. Both of these play a huge role in heart disease and are important to keep under control.

Pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, but can make a massive positive impact to the body and your health. So next time you’re thinking of skipping out on adding some to your smoothie - don’t! Enjoy the refreshing taste of pumpkin!

It goes especially great with this fall weather.