Pumpkin season is in full swing right now, and we’re anxiously counting down the days to Halloween. We’re constantly talking about cooking with pumpkin, but ‘waste not, want not’, so don’t throw away the seeds. There are plenty of pumpkin seeds benefits you should know about.
They’re quite the healthy snack, and I love to have them lightly roasted (at home) and salted and maybe sprinkled with all kinds of herbs & spices. A portion of pumpkin seeds, which translates to about a quarter of a cup, contains about 150 calories, 15 grams of good fat, a few grams of carbs, but also a boatload of protein: 8-10 grams.
And that’s good because they are quite healthy and you don’t have to look too deep to find some pumpkin seeds benefits. Without further ado, let’s find out what those are!
5 pumpkin seeds benefits to write home about
1. Full of good fat
We know already that fatty foods aren’t necessarily bad. There are some fats that are actually great for you! And pumpkin seeds contain those, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. They’re called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA. The benefits of this include protection from heart disease and anti-inflammation.
2. Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants seem to be all the rage these days and yeah one of the pumpkin seeds benefits is that they have plenty of free radical fighters. Like carotenoids and vitamin E. Antioxidants are like a shield, protecting your cells from damage. The result is lowering the risk of premature aging and chronic disease.
3. High in minerals
We’ve already covered how important magnesium is for your body. It helps improve your mood and your sleep! But there’s more! Pumpkin seeds are also rich in manganese, iron, zinc, and copper. This means that your body will produce more energy. And bring more oxygen to your cells. At the same time, your skin and bones will be healthier.
4. Regulate your blood sugar
Some research suggests that pumpkin seeds help protect you against type-2 diabetes thanks to helping with insulin regulation and protecting your organs.
5. Keep your immunity up
Your immune system is supported by the zinc and iron in pumpkin seeds. But they also possess other properties you might be interested in. Like anti-fungal and anti-viral ones. So don’t hesitate to access them in flu season!
Want to know how to use pumpkin seeds in recipes? Here are some great ideas.
Featured image by Couleur from Pixabay.
