What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds for women and men and can there be harm from consumption?

Basic information

Pumpkin seeds are considered one of the most useful plant seeds for a reason.

Compound

The benefits of a product are primarily determined by its components. Approximately 40 percent of the product consists of fats. Pumpkin seeds contain minerals, phytosterols, organic acids, etc.

Table 1. Components

These are not all the components that contribute to the benefits of pumpkin seeds. Daily consumption of just 30 grams of the product allows you to get approximately 15% of proteins, 40% of magnesium, 20% of copper, 15% of zinc from the required daily dose.

Calorie content per 100 grams

The product is high-calorie. Its use should be limited.

Table 2. How many calories are in 100 grams of pumpkin seeds

What does it contain?

Separately, it should be noted the variety of vitamins in the composition. In particular, 30 grams contains almost 1/5 of the daily dose of vitamins K. Among what is contained in pumpkin seeds, vitamin C deserves attention. It is necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes and is an antioxidant. The product is also rich in B vitamins, especially thiamine.

Composition and calorie content

Pumpkin seeds are a high calorie product. There are about 559 kcal per 100 g of product.

Calories 559 Kcal

• Fat:
  49 g
• Proteins:
  30.2 g
• Carbohydrates:
  10.7 g
• Water:
  5.23 g
• Ash:
  4.78 g
• Fiber:
  6 g

Full chemical composition ➤

By eating 100 g of seeds, you can provide 115% of the body's daily need for zinc, 141% for magnesium, 80% for iron, and 33% for potassium, which is so necessary for the heart.

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols

  - 523 mg (951% of the RDA). Of these: campesterol - 19 mg (34.5%), beta-sitosterol - 2.6 mg (6.5%), stigmasterol - 6.8 mg (19%), spinasterol - 112 mg (204%), delta -7-avenasterol - 72 mg (131%), delta-7-stigmasterol - 20 mg (36%), delta-7,25-stigmastadienol - 106 mg (192%), delta-7,22,25-stigmastatrienol - 151 mg (274%).

• Purines

  — 37 mg (29% of RDA)

How are they beneficial for the human body?

Consumption of the product in reasonable doses will be beneficial. The benefits of pumpkin seeds are expressed in the general strengthening of the body, improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. We will consider these and other properties in the table.

Table 3. What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds for the body?

The product has a hypoglycemic effect, lowers blood cholesterol levels, is recommended for the prevention of atherosclerosis, etc. What other benefits pumpkin seeds have for the human body should be checked with a nutritionist.

Can I take it for pancreatitis?

The instructions for the pharmaceutical product do not include this pathology in the list of indications for use. You can use pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis. The disease is an inflammation of the pancreas, and the seeds can bring relief to the patient during the inflammatory process. In case of acute type of pathology, you should not consume the product.

Dried pumpkin seeds are the most beneficial

Pumpkin seeds for worms

In addition to the main effect on the human body as a whole, pumpkin seeds also help against worms. They are considered anthelmintic due to the presence of cucurbitin. This poison for parasites is concentrated in the green film of the seed, between the peel and the kernel itself.

Cucurbitin is a killer for all parasites that may end up in the human body for natural reasons. The main effect occurs in the intestines, where the shell of the substance disintegrates, coming into action. All types of worms break down into small cells. Their length does not exceed 3 cm, death occurs already at the stage of decomposition, in the rectum. Due to intoxication and paralysis of the central nervous system, parasites do not survive, do not mutate and are unable to adapt to the environment, as happens when taking antibiotics.

It is noted that:

• Large worms tolerate poisoning only at the stage of formation of destructive effects.
• Then they are paralyzed for some time; movement occurs with human waste products.
• There is no opportunity to reproduce.
• They cannot cling to the intestinal walls.

Cucurbitin also has a long-lasting effect - for a long time, worm eggs cannot resume their life processes. This leads to a complete cleansing of the body, which makes it impossible for helminthiasis to reoccur.

Useful properties for women

The product is recommended for the fair sex. The beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds will not only have a beneficial effect on your appearance, but will also affect the internal state of the body.

Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

This effect is due to the fatty acids contained in pumpkin seeds. Their consumption has a positive effect on fat metabolism and leads to a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Reducing fatty deposits in the liver

The list of indications for use includes fatty liver.
The ketogenic diet is especially effective for treating this disease. It is built on “forcing” the body to use fats as the main source of energy. The basis of the diet is foods containing fatty acids. These include pumpkin seeds. Their consumption together with sufficient physical activity gives excellent results.

Also on the website, read about the benefits of sunflower seeds and walnuts, as well as flaxseed, sea buckthorn and cedar oils.

Hepatoprotective effect

The chemical composition of pumpkin seeds determines the hepatoprotective effect. The presence of the same “correct” fatty acids has a beneficial effect on the liver. The presence of vitamin A allows you to restore the antioxidant function of the liver, including after certain diseases, such as hepatitis A.

Choleretic effect

The effect is closely related to the hepatoprotective effect. The choleretic activity of pumpkin seeds manifests itself in facilitating the outflow of bile, reducing the load on the liver parenchyma and normalizing the general condition of the liver.

During pregnancy

In the process of bearing a child, women face numerous restrictions. Are pumpkin seeds good for pregnancy? Undoubtedly! They are rich in folic acid, which is necessary for the formation of a healthy embryo. They also contain other necessary components. If there are no contraindications, you can safely consume the product.

Pumpkin seed oil

Almost 50% of pumpkin seeds are their fat component. They consist of vegetable oils that have a huge number of beneficial properties. These substances help remove toxins from the body and also get rid of bad cholesterol. They protect the body at the cellular level and also improve the condition of the heart muscle. Pumpkin seed oil is even used by doctors for the maintenance treatment of tuberculosis or intestinal disorders.

Due to its wide range of beneficial properties, pumpkin seed oil is widely used by many people as an additive to dishes, since it is much healthier than olive oil.

What do men get help from?

The seeds are also an excellent addition to the daily diet for men. Let's look at what pumpkin seeds help the stronger sex with next.

Reducing symptoms of prostate hyperplasia

Previously, the pathology was called prostate adenoma. It is believed that the disease develops as a result of the action of testosterone. However, official medicine considers the causes of the pathology to be unknown, so the preventive effect of seeds against adenoma is questioned.

Phytoestrogens have an antiandrogenic effect, that is, they help reduce testosterone levels, which makes it possible to recommend the product for the symptomatic relief of prostate hyperplasia.

Relieves pain from prostatitis

A high zinc content has a positive effect on the cure for prostatitis. Therapy based solely on seeds will not bring the desired result. With an integrated approach to the issue, the product will help relieve inflammation and relieve discomfort.

Regeneration of liver cells in case of toxic or viral damage

The components of the product make it possible to recommend it for the restoration of hepatocytes in cases of damage of various etiologies. Not only the seeds, but also the pumpkin itself, boiled or steamed, will bring benefits.

Prevention of atherosclerosis

Cholesterol formations located on the inner lining of blood vessels, provoked by lipid metabolism disorders, are called atherosclerosis. To prevent this condition, a balanced diet is recommended, containing the “right” fatty acids. The source of these is pumpkin seeds.

What to cook with pumpkin seeds

Pesto

Number of servings: 6. Cooking time: 20 minutes. Calorie content of the finished dish:

• 100 g – 461 kcal;
• 1 serving – 242 kcal;
• Total dish - 1452 kcal.

Equipment: frying pan of any capacity, cutting board, knife, blender, fine grater, kitchen towel, container (0.5 l) for mixing ingredients.

Ingredients

Preparing the sauce:

1. Wash parsley (100 g) and dry on a towel. Separate the leaves from the stem. Next, use only the leaves.
2. Garlic (15 g), peeled. Cut the peeled cloves in half.
3. Fry pumpkin seeds (50 g) without oil in a frying pan for several minutes over low heat.
4. Grind the prepared garlic, parsley and pumpkin seeds in a blender.
5. Transfer the resulting mixture into the prepared mixing container.
6. Grate 50 g of Parmesan cheese on a fine grater.
7. Add all the grated cheese and 100 g of olive oil to the container with the mixture.
8. To stir thoroughly. Add pepper and salt to taste.

The sauce is very tasty, spicy and nutritious. They enjoy pampering themselves and surprising guests. A very small amount of it can satisfy your hunger.

Spiced granola

Number of servings: 12. Cooking time: 30 minutes. Calorie content of the finished dish:

• 100 g – 490 kcal;
• 1 serving – 203 kcal;
• Total dish – 2430 kcal.

Equipment: deep bowl for mixing all ingredients, small container for mixing dry spices and herbs, wooden spatula, teaspoon, oven, baking sheet, baking paper, pizza cutter, coffee grinder.

Ingredients

Preparing granola:

1. Grind 30 g of almonds into flour in a coffee grinder.
2. Using a teaspoon, mix the spices and herbs in a small container: 2 g cinnamon, 2 g nutmeg, 2 g ginger, 1 g allspice, 1 g cloves and 30 g almond flour (ground in a coffee grinder).
3. Pour 185 g of almonds, 105 g of pumpkin seeds, 60 g of cranberries into a deep bowl (you can use higher-calorie dried fruits instead of cranberries). Stir with a wooden spatula. Add all the spices and herbs that were previously mixed, mix thoroughly again with a spatula.
4. In a small container in which the spices were previously mixed, pour 90 g of honey, 15 g of olive oil and 3 ml of vanilla extract, mix everything with a teaspoon.
5. Pour the entire mixture of honey, oil and vanilla extract into a deep bowl with the main mixture. Mix very thoroughly with a spatula.
6. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees.
7. Place baking paper on a baking sheet and place the entire mixture on it. After wetting your hands with water, carefully level and compact the mass a little, trying to lay out a layer of a neat rectangular shape, 1.5 cm thick.
8. Bake for 20 minutes.
9. Cut into 12 rectangular pieces while hot using a pizza cutter. If this is not the case, you can use the usual one. Leave to cool.

These tasty and healthy energy bars can be wrapped individually in baking paper and stored in the refrigerator for a whole week. You can change the spices and spices to your taste, even add salt. You can also change the shape and size of the resulting cookie bars as you wish. This delicacy can be an alternative to higher-calorie chocolate.

How to use?

The product can be consumed separately or added to salads or baked goods. Among the ways to take pumpkin seeds, the leading ones are the recipe with the addition of honey and consumption in their natural form.

Recommended daily dose

For medicinal purposes, it is important not only the quality of the product and the method of its consumption, but also the dosage.
Doctors recommend consuming approximately 30-40 grams. In rare cases, the amount can be increased, but not more than doubled. How many grams of pumpkin seeds should be eaten per day for various pathologies should be checked with your doctor. To get rid of helminths, it is allowed to consume not the kernels, but an infusion of the seeds. The method of preparing the product is described in the instructions for use.

With honey

Most often, this combination is used to get rid of helminths. Pumpkin seeds with honey normalize digestion, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the kidneys and increase immunity. However, honey is an allergenic product and should be consumed with caution.

Is it possible to eat with the peel?

The seeds are quite difficult to clean. That is why lovers of healthy snacks have a question about whether it is possible to eat pumpkin seeds with the skin on. This method has two disadvantages. Firstly, such eating will harm the digestive system. Secondly, it will not bring taste pleasure. You shouldn’t eat the peel, but it’s better not to peel off the green film underneath. It contains many healthy components.