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