What’s So Great About Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds and seed oil come with many nutrients and plant compounds that support your health and well-being. These include:  

• Fibre
• Protein
• Vitamin K
• Phosphorus
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper

With a wide variety of nutrients contained within, foods that contain pumpkin seeds, such as nutritious bars and granola, are a great addition to any diet and can be included in many different dishes as well as eaten raw as a snack.

Packed full with antioxidants

Pumpkin seeds contain a variety of antioxidants like carotenoids and various vitamins. These are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that can produce free radicals that damage the living cells in your body.

Found in other superfoods like Cacao, it is also believed that antioxidants are vital for protecting yourself against disease and reducing long-term inflammation that could lead to serious health concerns.

Blood sugar levels

It is also suggested that pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed powder, similar to other ingredients like Ginger and Baobab, can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels.

Managing blood sugar levels is important for the prevention and potentially even reversal of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Although medical treatments, a more active lifestyle and a healthy balanced diet are important methods of treatment for low blood sugar levels, including nutritious superfoods like pumpkin seeds in your daily routine can also be beneficial.

High in fibre

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of dietary fibre which is one of the best ways to promote good digestive health. A high-fibre diet has also been associated with reduced risk of heart disease and obesity, so you can quickly boost your fiber levels by including these tasty seeds in your diet today.

Stronger immune system

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc, which is important to your body in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep and mood balance.

Deficiency in zinc is associated with increased colds, flu and chronic fatigue, hence the reason most people believe it is the best way to avoid getting ill.

Magnificent magnesium

Pumpkin seeds are one of the best natural sources of magnesium — a mineral that is often lacking in the diets of many households.

Magnesium is linked with various benefits for your body, such as controlling blood pressure, reducing heart disease risk and regulating blood sugar levels.

Taking pumpkin seeds

The best way to eat pumpkin seeds is raw. This is because it will preserve the healthy fats naturally present in the seeds. And of course, organic pumpkin seeds will be much more likely to be free of pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

One of the easiest ways to consume pumpkin seeds is part of a healthy nutrition bar or sprinkled into your lunch dish. But if you want to source a larger amount of this ingredient this is also possible. Just be careful about how the batch has been treated and whether it comes with any preservatives that you should know about.

If you’d like to experiment with various homemade dishes, you can also roast the seeds on a low heat, sprinkling them with salt for a great flavour combination.