Pumpkin seeds are the kernels of the pumpkin fruit. Popular during Halloween, pumpkins are squash-like vegetables that are native to Mexico. Their edible seeds have been used as food and oil resource for centuries. Some parts in Central Europe are known to cultivate pumpkins specifically for their seeds, which are high-value commodity produce. Pumpkin seeds are nutrient-packed snacks that contain high concentrations of beneficial compounds. In fact, an article on the Mother Nature Network website notes that pumpkins are especially rich in protein and other minerals that bolster the body’s overall health, as previously noted. Here Olivia Cook, NaturalNews.com, reflects on pumpkin seeds as a nutritious, inexpensive and versatile snack with plenty of health benefits:

“Pumpkin seeds are flat, dark-green seeds encased in yellow-white husks at the center of the pumpkin fruit.

The oldest pumpkin seeds were found in Mexico and were estimated to be around 9,000 years old. Because of their chewy texture and subtly sweet, creamy, pleasant nutty flavor, these edible kernels have been eaten throughout history for sustenance. Along the way, people also learned to use pumpkin seeds for medicinal purposes.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrients and phytochemicals

A study published in the journal Scientific African merged the evidence-based information on pumpkin seeds as a functional food ingredient with the associated biological mechanisms collected from electronic databases of ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar.

As evidenced by literature, pumpkin seeds are densely packed with nutrients and phytochemicals, such as dietary fiber, amino acids, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, proteins, phenolic compounds and their derivatives, cucurbitacin and valuable vitamins and minerals that are important to a healthy life and well-being.

Pumpkin seeds are also loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, essential B complex vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E (tocopherols) and vitamin K. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of macro minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) and trace minerals (iron, manganese, copper and zinc – elements that make pumpkin seeds valuable for food supplementation.

The bioactive compounds in pumpkin seeds exhibit biological activities, such as anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-tumor and cytoprotective properties. Further, these bioactive compounds show potential in treating microbiological infections, hepatic and prostate disorders.”

Read More … Article Source: https://www.naturalnews.com/2022-05-11-pumpkin-seeds-nutritious-snack-with-health-benefits.html

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