If you like pumpkin pie or you like to make dishes with pumpkin as one of the main ingredients, then you’ll love to know that the seeds have nutritional and health benefits as well. Pumpkin seeds are edible parts of a pumpkin and it is a popular ingredient and snack in Mexico. Roasted pumpkin seeds are popular snacks that pack a lot of nutrients. They are also sold raw or sprouted in grocery stores.

Before you think of throwing away those pumpkin seeds, you might change your mind after reading this post.

Pumpkin Seeds are Beneficial to Your Heart Health

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Also called alpha-linoleic acid or ALA, these fatty acids from pumpkin seeds can help lower the risk of developing heart disease, reduce the chances of artery hardening, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Using pumpkin seed oil is an innovative way of extracting these fatty acids and incorporating this healthy nutrient into your diet. Some of the rich ALA from pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil can also be converted to EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish. Magnesium is another abundant nutrient found in pumpkin seeds that helps regulate and lower blood pressure. Regular and sufficient magnesium intake helps lower the risk of hypertension, stroke, and other types of heart disease.

Pumpkin Seeds Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Several studies have shown that pumpkin seeds can help protect against type-2 diabetes or reduce the complications of this condition by regulating blood sugar levels. Again, magnesium plays a vital role in blood sugar regulation and keeping the pancreas and other related organs protected and functioning optimally. Pumpkin seeds also have high antioxidant content, which helps lower the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a role in the development of diabetes.

Pumpkin Seeds are Full of Essential Nutrients

You would never expect that these tiny seeds can contain some of the most valuable nutrients our bodies need. It is rich in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc, which are vital nutrients in maintaining proper body processes and functions. Having pumpkin seeds regularly added to your meals can help meet the recommended daily intake (RDI) of these nutrients to keep you feeling healthy.

Pumpkin Seeds Aid Digestion

Pumpkin seeds are an amazing source of dietary fibre - one serving provides over 2g of fibre, which is 8% of your daily recommended intake. Fibre helps to promote good digestive health, slowing the rate of sugar absorption into the blood, promoting regular bowel movements, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. To get the most benefit out of them, consider taking something like Unify Health Labs supplements alongside your pumpkin seeds. Supplements like these promote healthy gut flora, aiding the digestive process further and allowing your body to take advantage of the extra boost you're giving it.

Your Prostate and Bladder Are Protected

Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the enlargement of the prostate glands (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Other studies show that several symptoms associated with BPH are also reduced in patients who are regularly having pumpkin seeds in their diets. These seeds are also shown by some studies to improve urinary function. Eating pumpkin seeds or taking supplements of these seeds can also help relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder.

You Sleep Better with Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps promote and improve sleep quality. Nibbling on some pumpkin seeds before going to bed can help you sleep easier and reduce your sleeping troubles. In addition to tryptophan, the magnesium and zinc content of pumpkin seeds can help you sleep longer and with fewer interruptions.

There are many ways to prepare pumpkin seeds as snacks or food ingredients. They are versatile and nutritious seeds that can go with many dishes and increase your nutrient intake, as well. All you need is to be creative in preparing and cooking your food. So start trying pumpkin seeds now and enjoy the health benefits you can gain from them.