Did you know that eating 30 - 35 g of pumpkin seeds daily ( which is ¼ cup), you get about half of the recommended daily intake of magnesium and tryptophan , more than 73% manganese , 40% phosphorus and 22% copper? No wonder doctors and nutritionists recommend including this product in your daily diet. Do you want to know what will happen to your body if you consume PUMPKIN SEEDS every day?
Pumpkin seeds are extremely beneficial for health. They contain almost the entire periodic table: zinc and calcium , potassium and selenium , magnesium and sodium , iron and manganese , phosphorus. In addition , the composition of the seeds includes vitamins B , A , E , C , K , D , various acids.
All the benefits of pumpkin seeds and contraindications
- Which pumpkin seeds are healthier - raw or roasted?
- How many pumpkin seeds can you eat per day?
- Can Pumpkin Seeds Help You Lose Weight?
- Can you eat pumpkin seeds before bed?
- What happens to the body if you eat pumpkin seeds every day?
- Harm of pumpkin seeds
- Contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds
Which pumpkin seeds are healthier - raw or roasted?
During high-temperature processing, the lion's share of useful substances in pumpkin seeds is destroyed , which also become harmful to the body.
So , at a temperature exceeding 90 ° C , essential oils evaporate from the seeds , an oxidative process starts , accompanied by the formation of free radicals - toxic substances that poison our body.
Conclusion: only raw peeled pumpkin seeds are useful for the body.
How many pumpkin seeds can you eat per day?
The answer to this question is ambiguous. If you do not have problems with excess weight and are not predisposed to fullness , you can safely eat up to 100 g of raw pumpkin seeds per day.
If you follow the figure , nutritionists recommend limiting the use of this product to 30-60 g per day.
Can Pumpkin Seeds Help You Lose Weight?
Pumpkin seeds are a very high-calorie product , 100 g of which contains:
- proteins ≈ 25 g
- fat ≈ 46 g
- carbohydrates ≈ 5 g
- calories ≈ 560 kcal.
Considering the calorie content of pumpkin seeds , nutritionists recommend sticking to the norm of 20-30 g when using them , especially if you are prone to gaining excess weight or are actively fighting it.
If you don’t eat less than a glass of pumpkin seeds at one time , then you will have to “work off” the extra calories in the gym.
At the same time, it is impossible not to note the benefits of pumpkin seeds for weight loss:
- Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of fiber that cleanses the intestines , normalizes stools and speeds up metabolism , which in turn contributes to more intense fat burning.
- If your goal is to lose weight , but at the same time maintain muscle mass , pumpkin seeds rich in vegetable protein will help.
- Can't beat your sugar cravings and keep snacking to a minimum? And again, pumpkin seeds will come to the rescue , which are digested for a long time and have a low glycemic index , due to which there are no sharp jumps in blood sugar and the desire to enjoy a delicious cake decreases.
Can you eat pumpkin seeds before bed?
Given the high calorie content of seeds , it is not recommended to consume them before bedtime.
But! There are exceptions to every rule! Raw pumpkin seeds contain magnesium and tryptophan , which gently calm the nervous system and stimulate sleep. So , the amino acid tryptophan promotes the production of the hormone serotonin , which is converted into the "sleep hormone" melatonin.
Therefore, if you are tired after a hard day's work , if you feel anxiety and irritability , treat yourself to a handful of pumpkin seeds with honey or fruit an hour before going to bed. This second dinner will help you relax and fall asleep.
Well , here we come to the main question.
What happens to the body if you eat pumpkin seeds every day?
Your mood will improve
The amino acid tryptophan increases the production of the hormone of pleasure - serotonin , due to which the emotional background improves , stress is easier to bear. Closer to the night, serotonin is converted into melatonin , which regulates the phases of sleep and wakefulness , fights insomnia , and helps you get enough sleep.
But this is not all the useful properties of pumpkin seeds , including which in your daily diet you will improve cognitive functions , strengthen memory , reduce fatigue , improve the overall functioning of the brain.
Immunity will be strengthened
Do you want to forget about frequent colds , runny nose and cough? Include in your daily diet pumpkin seeds containing zinc - a trace element that is a natural immunomodulator necessary for the full functioning of the thymus gland. It is this organ that produces T-lymphocytes , which neutralize bacteria and viruses.
The role of selenium in strengthening immunity is also important , since this trace element takes an active part in the production of red blood cells.
The chair is normalized
We have already said that pumpkin seeds contain a fairly large amount of fiber , which absorbs and removes metabolite decay products , regulates the production of food enzymes and improves metabolic processes.
You will forget about constipation , stomach cramps and increased gas production if you eat about 60-100 g of pumpkin seeds every day.
Puffiness will decrease
Violation of salt metabolism , diseases of the kidneys , liver and heart can cause swelling of the limbs and face. Pumpkin seeds have a mild diuretic ( diuretic) effect , provided by their potassium , calcium and magnesium.
Daily consumption of pumpkin seeds will not only help reduce swelling , but also reduce the risk of calcium oxalate formation in the urine , thereby preventing the development of urolithiasis.
Pressure normalizes
Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds lowers blood pressure and strengthens the walls of the arteries , and all thanks to the folic and linoleic acids included in their composition.
Magnesium and potassium regulate the work of the heart muscle , and iron increases hemoglobin , reducing the risk of anemia.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids normalize blood circulation , prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques in the vessels , thereby preventing the development of blood clots.
Do you want to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies , normalize blood pressure and increase hemoglobin? Eat raw pumpkin seeds more often!
Bones will be strengthened
Zinc and phosphorus are responsible for strengthening bone tissue , preventing the development of osteoporosis and arthritis.
If problems with the musculoskeletal system have already developed , daily consumption of pumpkin seeds in combination with drug therapy will help reduce inflammation and pain in the early stages of the disease.
Reduce the appearance of prostatitis
Due to the pronounced anti-inflammatory properties of zinc, peeled raw pumpkin seeds help reduce inflammation localized in the prostate gland.
It is also recommended to use seeds for the prevention of prostatitis and the maintenance of sexual function in men.
Improve the condition of skin , hair and nails
The rich composition of pumpkin seeds , including zinc , vitamins A , E , C and fatty acids , helps to keep the skin supple and elastic , prevents premature wrinkles , renews the cells of the epidermis.
By the way , it is zinc , according to the conclusion of the American Academy of Dermatology , that is extremely important for the treatment and prevention of acne.
If every day you eat a handful of seeds , after a month you will notice an increase in hair growth and thickening , your nails will become stronger and stop exfoliating , the number of acne will decrease.
Reduced risk of developing breast cancer
According to a study published in the medical journal Nutrition and Cancer, eating foods that contain phytoestrogens reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.
In addition , phytoestrogens , which are present in large quantities in pumpkin seeds , contribute to the preservation of the youthfulness of the female body , since they act like female sex hormones ( estrogens), the production of which decreases with age.
Normalizes blood sugar levels
Eating 30 - 60 g of pumpkin seeds per day , you normalize blood sugar levels.
And all thanks to the magnesium contained in pumpkin seeds. The lack of this particular macronutrient is observed in 40% of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. And since about 98% of magnesium is consumed during the processing of sugar , it must be replenished daily from the outside. Otherwise, the risk of developing heart pathologies , degenerative diseases , visual impairment , high blood pressure and obesity is high.
However, seeds alone should not be hoped for in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Neutralize intestinal parasites
Raw pumpkin seeds have been used for centuries in the fight against intestinal parasites. And all thanks to the amino acid cucurbitin , which destroys parasitic worms.
To remove helminths, many recipes are used. We will give one of the most simple , but at the same time effective:
- Grind 100 g pumpkin seeds.
- Take 2 tbsp. the resulting powder in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Wash down the product with 150 ml of warm milk.
- Take a laxative medicine one hour after taking the powder.
- The course of treatment is 5 days.
Since helminths have a growth cycle , the procedure should be repeated after a month.
Nausea is reduced
If you have a long trip or flight , while you suffer from kinetosis ( in other words , you get sick), pumpkin seeds will help to cope with nausea , headache and vomiting.
For the same reason, this product is indicated for toxicosis of pregnant women in the early stages.
At the same time , that pumpkin seeds will benefit only if they are used in moderation and taking into account the existing contraindications.
Harm of pumpkin seeds
Excessive passion for pumpkin seeds is fraught with the following consequences:
- indigestion ( more often - aggravation of constipation);
- increased gas formation;
- failure in the functioning of the nervous system;
- allergic reactions ( up to anaphylactic shock);
- weight gain.
Contraindications to the use of pumpkin seeds
This product is contraindicated in:
- individual intolerance;
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- gastritis and peptic ulcer in the acute stage;
- kidney and liver stones , since pumpkin seeds have a pronounced choleretic effect.
In all other cases, raw pumpkin seeds , which can be
added to salads and sauces , will enrich your diet with vitamins and minerals.
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