Pumpkin seeds: benefits and harms

Everyone knows about the incredible benefits of pumpkin to humans. Since ancient times, people use all parts of this vegetable. Pumpkin seeds are especially popular. Currently, this inexpensive natural product can cure many pathologies. At the same time, their correct use is important, taking into account possible contraindications and harmful effects.

Composition and calorie content

Pumpkin seed is a product with a high content of useful elements that normalize the body. These include amino acids, saturated fatty and unsaturated acids. Also in pumpkin seeds there is a large amount of vitamin PP: 100 g of the product contains 170% of the norm of this substance per day. In addition, pumpkin seeds contain mineral salts and dietary fiber. Minerals include magnesium, copper, iron, zinc. The content of selenium, potassium, iodine, etc. is somewhat lower.

In the composition of pumpkin seeds, more than 50 micro and macro elements were found, due to the lack of which the muscle tone decreases in the body, headache, weakness arise, and the function of the urinary and cardiovascular systems is impaired.

The rich vitamin composition of this product has great benefits for the human body through the regulation of biological processes. So, some of the vitamins contribute to the production of hormones.

Calorie content of 100 g of pumpkin seeds is 540 kcal.

What are pumpkin seeds good for?

The main role in medicine is played not by the pulp of the pumpkin itself, but by its seeds. This was confirmed almost two centuries ago.

Seeds can increase the protective functions of the immune system and can prevent the development of tumors. Also, when eating pumpkin seeds, you can get rid of depression and cleanse the body of various toxins and toxins. The product is able to improve sleep, is an excellent prophylactic against the development of kidney stones.

For women

The use of pumpkin seeds by women helps prevent the formation of polyps in the uterus, relieves symptoms during menopause. Seeds help alleviate the condition during hot flashes, protect against the occurrence of migraines, fight irritation. Due to the enriched composition, this product allows you to maintain youth and a beautiful appearance. An excellent assistant seeds of this vegetable act in the fight against oily and dry hair. The product also helps get rid of dandruff, blackheads, tarnished skin.

If the period of menstruation in women is characterized by severe pain in the abdomen and excessive bleeding, they can also use this plant.The beneficial substances in the composition of pumpkin seeds help get rid of varicose veins, relieve fatigue and remove swelling of the legs.

For men

The benefit for men is the prevention of prostatitis and infertility. Pumpkin seeds can improve potency, contribute to the production of hormones. The product is very useful for men who plan to have children. With pumpkin seeds, you can increase muscle mass and stamina.

Beneficial substances in the composition of pumpkin seeds help with baldness. This is ensured by the presence in them of such an element as zinc, which stimulates hair growth.

Seed intake also helps protect the male body from the development of urethritis, pyelonephritis, prostate adenoma, and cancer.

During pregnancy

If there are no contraindications, pumpkin seed can be consumed daily in an amount of not more than 100 g. It is important to take into account the well-being of a pregnant woman.

As you know, pumpkin seeds help strengthen immunity, which is very necessary during the period of gestation. Another important advantage of using this product is that it is able to eliminate nausea associated with toxicosis, relieve heartburn and normalize bowel function. To avoid constipation, edema, pumpkin seeds should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. You should not use more than the specified norm, since due to the ability of the product to enhance muscle tone, a miscarriage may occur.

When breastfeeding

The body of a nursing woman should receive the necessary amount of vitamins and nutrients. This is the key to the favorable growth and development of a healthy fetus. During lactation, you can add pumpkin seeds to your diet in a small amount. However, one should take into account the well-being of the mother and monitor the behavior of the child. To get involved in this product during lactation is not recommended.

Pumpkin seeds can increase the amount of breast milk. To do this, it is enough to eat 50–80 pieces every day.

For children

The main advantage of using pumpkin seeds in childhood is the ability of the product to remove helminths from the body. The seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which does no harm to the health of the child. For this, it is enough for children to consume up to 10 seeds per day.

When losing weight

Pumpkin seeds are high-calorie, so you should not eat them with a tendency to excess weight. However, the oil has a completely different effect. It refers to dietary products that even allow you to lose extra pounds, if applied correctly. This effect is based on the fact that oil is able to accelerate lipid metabolism.

However, if you properly use pumpkin seeds in your diet, then they will also help you lose weight. There is even an appropriate pome diet.

Which pumpkin seeds are healthier: raw or fried

To answer this question, you should first study the difference between these two types of seeds. And the difference lies in the fact that during the heat treatment of the product most of the vitamins and beneficial elements are lost. If salt is also added during frying, then such seeds will not bring any benefit to the body, on the contrary, they will cause great harm.

It is recommended to eat raw pumpkin seeds. This allows you to normalize the liver and intestines. Raw seeds also help with kidney disease, constipation and normalize blood pressure.

Pumpkin seed Urbech: benefits and harms

Urbek is a zinc-rich pasta made from pumpkin seed. Such a product favorably affects the condition of the hair, skin, restores the intestinal microflora and normalizes digestive processes. Due to the high content of vitamin E in pumpkin seeds, urbec is a source of antioxidants.

It is interesting! Initially, such a paste was taken on a campaign by the Dagestan highlanders.She gave them strength and increased stamina.

To prepare such a dish, the seeds are dried, ground on special machines and crushed to a homogeneous mass. For the preparation of pasta do not use high heat treatment, which allows you to save all the useful properties. Pasta is used raw. It has a liquid consistency, so it is well absorbed by the body.

1. The benefit of the paste is that it is able to quench thirst and hunger, increase immunity, support the work of the cardiovascular system, improve vision and help lose weight.
2. It is also useful to use pumpkin seed paste in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, impotence, prostatitis. In addition, a therapeutic effect can be obtained in the treatment of arthritis, diabetes.
3. Urbech contains many vitamins, minerals, trace elements, it can be used for weight loss, vision problems. Even during the period of gestation, the baby is allowed to take this paste, but before use, you should consult your doctor.
4. Scientists have determined that such a treat improves brain function. Also, paste is useful for memory problems. If you use urbec for breakfast, you can provide the body with a charge of vivacity for the whole day.
5. The regular addition of such a product to the diet will protect against the development of colds, reduce high cholesterol, and slow down the aging process of the skin.

It was found out that the urbec does not harm health. But nevertheless it is not recommended to be very fond of such a paste. If you use this delicacy in large quantities, you can gain kilograms, which was originally planned to get rid of. A contraindication is an allergy to the ingredients of the product.

The benefits of pumpkin seed flour

As you know, pumpkin flour contains vitamins such as A, C, group B and folic acid. Also, this product is characterized by the presence of minerals represented by potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc. In addition, pumpkin seed powder is a source of omega-3s.

Flour from pumpkin seeds has anti-allergic, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic effects.

The product contains a large amount of L-carnitine, which is a natural antidepressant. Therefore, it can be used to maintain a positive mood. Also, such a product will help if insomnia is bothering.

For teenagers, pumpkin seed flour is beneficial due to its zinc content, which helps get rid of acne. You can use flour in the presence of irritable bowel syndrome, but you should not abuse the product, otherwise there will be a reverse effect.

Pumpkin flour is characterized by a light nutty flavor and airy consistency, due to which this product is often used in bakery production, as well as in the preparation of protein shakes.

Due to the excessive consumption of flour from pumpkin seeds, digestion problems can occur, namely intestinal gas, diarrhea or constipation.

The benefits of pumpkin seeds with honey

To prepare a healing product, you should mix a glass of pumpkin seed nucleoli and half a glass of bee honey. Such a tool is excellent in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. You can use pumpkin seeds with honey only if there is no allergy to both products. Such a medicine of natural origin can be used to treat different age groups of patients. It is used to treat chronic prostatitis, hyperplasia, urethritis.

It is important to remember that traditional medicine recipes are used only as adjunctive therapy. They can not replace the basic medicines that were prescribed by a doctor. This is especially true in the presence of an infectious disease, when it is necessary to be treated with antibacterial drugs.

Pumpkin seed oil: benefits and harms

Pumpkin seed oil is extracted by direct pressing of seeds. The finished product is characterized by a specific smell and good taste. Due to its rich composition, such oil is widely used in various fields. This product contains omega-3 and omega-6, flavonoids, antioxidants and phospholipids.

1. Pumpkin seed oil improves the protective function of the body, normalizes intestinal motility, protects and restores liver cells. In addition, this product is characterized by a decrease in tissue edema, an improvement in metabolic processes, and the destruction of parasites.
2. The oil has a wound healing effect, so it can be used for burns. It is also a good treatment for the common cold, so it can be instilled into the nose.
3. Pumpkin seed oil is a dietary product that removes all toxins from the body and regulates the water-lipid balance. It is also used for gynecological and urological diseases.

Note! Pumpkin oil is also used in cooking, but only in its raw form, it should not be fried.

Pumpkin oil is widely used in medicine due to its healing properties. But in certain cases, it can harm human health. This is due to uncontrolled use and high doses. Before use, it is important to consult a specialist.

Contraindications are exacerbations of skin diseases (psoriasis), allergies and intolerance to oil components. Contraindications include gallstone disease, diarrhea, and diabetes.

It is not recommended to exceed the daily norm of pumpkin oil, which is 65 g.

Pumpkin seeds in medicine

The health benefits of pumpkin seeds are beyond doubt. If you regularly add this product to your diet, you can speed up recovery from certain diseases, strengthen hair, and improve skin condition.

With diabetes

Pumpkin seeds can be included in the diet of a person with diabetes mellitus of both the first and second types. Seeds have a low glycemic index (25), due to which they are able to regulate blood sugar levels.

The main thing with this disease is to consume a small dose of seeds, because they have a high calorie content. In order for the product to retain all the beneficial properties of vitamins and minerals, you should not fry seeds, since most of the beneficial properties will disappear.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a complex disease of the gastrointestinal tract. An important point in this pathology is a strict diet, which most often involves the rejection of your favorite dishes.

You can not eat pumpkin seeds if there is an exacerbation of pancreatitis. This is due to the fact that they have an increased degree of fat content (almost 50 g of fat per 100 g of seeds). In the acute stage of the disease, fat digestion practically does not occur, therefore, excessive use of seeds will adversely affect the pancreas.

It is also not recommended to start using the product for chronic pancreatitis. It is better to wait for a period of remission and gradually introduce seeds into the diet. It is forbidden to eat fried pumpkin seeds with sugar or salt.

With pancreatitis, you can eat only raw seeds. In addition, they must be of high quality, without the slightest sign of rot and mold.

With gastritis

Pumpkin seeds contain a large number of useful substances, but doctors do not recommend using them for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This is especially true for gastritis with high acidity. Seed components can increase acidity. With excessive use, they can harm not only the patient, but also a healthy body.

With an exacerbation of the disease, it is better to refuse to take pumpkin seeds. During remission, you can include them in the menu, but in small portions. You should first consult with your doctor.

For the intestines

Pumpkin seeds have a positive effect on the human body.As already mentioned, the product is quite high-calorie. Along with this, it contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which are able to remove stagnant gases from the intestines.

For constipation

The components of pumpkin seeds have a laxative effect, remove toxins and toxic substances. Due to this, this product is an excellent tool in the fight against constipation. For this, seeds should be consumed raw. You can also use tincture of seeds. For its preparation, one and a half tablespoons of raw materials crushed in a blender must be poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for an hour. To get rid of constipation, you should take a teaspoon of the product several times a day.

With gout

When gout is allowed to include pumpkin seeds in the daily menu. They are able to alleviate the condition with this disease. To do this, take a tablespoon of seeds or a dessert spoon of seed oil twice a day. In this case, it is important to adhere to the following scheme: take pumpkin product for 10 days, then take a break for 10 days, and then repeat everything. Some experts prepare alcohol tincture from pumpkin seeds to rub the diseased areas with gout and arthritis.

For the liver

Pumpkin seeds are the most healthy. For the liver, their benefit lies in the fact that pumpkin seeds are able to cleanse this organ and even take part in the treatment of its pathologies.

With hemorrhoids

For effective treatment of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to use cotton swabs with pumpkin seed oil. To do this, it is enough to introduce a tampon into the anus for several hours, after which it must be replaced with a fresh one. Improvement usually occurs on the 4th – 5th day of treatment, however, such procedures should be performed for 7 days. If necessary, the course can be repeated after a week break.

With cholecystitis

Preparations from pumpkin seeds can be used in the treatment of diseases of the gallbladder, but only during the period of remission. It is not recommended to use fried seeds or seeds with the addition of hot spices.

It is enough to use a tablespoon of ground sprouted seeds in the morning, half an hour before meals. Repeat this for no more than two weeks. If there is no discomfort, after a break you can repeat this course.

With prostatitis

Pumpkin seeds are a natural remedy for treating delicate problems among men.

To prevent the occurrence of prostatitis, you need to use a small handful of pumpkin seeds every day. However, they must be raw or sprouted. You can prepare a medicine, for which you need to peel the seeds from the peel, grind with a blender and form small balls from the resulting mass. Such a product should be stored in the refrigerator. Take one scoop before meals. The course of treatment is a month. You can repeat the procedure twice a year.

Recipes of traditional medicine based on pumpkin seeds

Due to the rich vitamin and mineral composition, pumpkin seeds are widely used in various fields of medicine and cosmetology.

For diseases of the bladder

2-3 tbsp seeds are cleaned and taken in the morning. The components of this product not only strengthen well, but also activate the muscles of the bladder with regular use, soothe irritated mucous membranes.

With prostatitis

Dried raw seeds are crushed and mixed with honey. From the resulting mass make balls the size of a ripe cherry. Then they are slightly dried in the oven. In the morning, half an hour before eating, eat 1 ball and drink a mug of water. The course should last 30–45 days.

How to take pumpkin seeds from worms

Often, intestinal dysfunctions such as diarrhea or constipation indicate a chronic stage of helminthiasis.To get rid of parasites, you should prepare a special tool based on pumpkin seeds. First you need to peel and grind 100 raw seeds. The resulting powder should be taken in 2 tablespoons and washed down with a glass of warmed milk. This procedure should be carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach. Then, after an hour, a drug with a laxative effect should be taken.

The course of treatment for helminthiasis with this method is 5 days.

Pumpkin seeds in cosmetology

For face

Masks with the addition of pumpkin seeds are an excellent tool for solving skin problems of any type. Pumpkin seed oil is perfectly absorbed and does not leave a greasy shine. Prepared by cold pressing, in itself it is very useful and versatile, so you can not add any other components to it. For use, it is enough to just slightly warm the oil and apply it to problem areas of the skin.

Due to the high content of zinc in pumpkin seeds, this product helps to get rid of acne.

1. As a mask, you can apply oil to the face, lips and hands for 20 minutes. This procedure is recommended no more than three times a week.
2. Flour from pumpkin seeds has a rejuvenating effect, because it can be mixed with clay and make homemade masks.

For hair

A mask using pumpkin seed oil is used to improve hair condition. To do this, it is enough to apply the product on the hair, wrap your head in cellophane and a towel and leave it overnight. In the morning everything should be washed off with shampoo. It is recommended to do this once a week.

A decoction of pumpkin seeds also has healing properties. It is used to rinse hair.

Harm and contraindications

The daily intake of pumpkin seeds is not more than 100 g, you can increase this dose only if necessary, if it is required to treat a specific disease. This norm should not be exceeded, because the seeds are quite high-calorie, and due to prolonged digestion, the assimilation of other products is difficult.

A contraindication for the use of pumpkin seeds is an exacerbation of all chronic pathologies. Sometimes individual intolerance can be observed, therefore, before starting treatment with this tool, it is important to exclude the likelihood of an allergy.

It is not allowed to apply pumpkin seeds to small children, as they contain palmitic acid, which contributes to the deterioration of the digestive tract. In addition, this acid is able to slow the growth and development of babies.

How to choose and store pumpkin seeds

Whole, dry seeds, which were obtained from ripe vegetables, are suitable for use in food. They must have a strong peel. So the seeds are stored much longer, because in this way they do not receive air that can oxidize fats.

1. To keep the seeds stored for a long time, they should be dried in the sun or in a hot pan, but they cannot be fried in oil.
2. Do not use seeds with an unpleasant odor.
3. Bitter pumpkin seeds are also unsuitable for consumption, so it’s important to taste them before buying and making a medicine from them.
4. Better to clean the seeds with your hands or to get already peeled.

Dried seeds are stored in a glass jar or in a bag of natural fabric. Keep them in a cool and dark place. Fresh peeled seeds can be kept in the refrigerator for about a month, dried seeds - for a year.

How to peel pumpkin seeds from the peel

Peeling of pumpkin seeds from the peel is carried out only after drying. Then the process will be easier. Two cleaning methods can be used, depending on the volume of raw materials, they are very simple.

1. So, if there are not many pumpkin seeds, you can use small scissors. To do this, first cut off the edge of the peel on one side, moving to the top of the seed. Then the seed is turned upside down and the nucleolus is removed.You can clean a small number of seeds manually, for which you only need to pinch it with your thumb and forefinger and press until a specific crunch appears. The core is also easily removed.
2. There is a second method that allows you to carry out the procedure quickly, however, less useful elements remain in the seeds. First you should choose a pumpkin with large seeds. In the pan, you need to draw water twice the amount of seeds. Place the container on medium heat, bring the water to a boil. Seeds must be placed in a saucepan and covered. In this case, no more than half an hour is spent on peeling. The peel bursts and rises to the surface of the water, while the kernels remain at the bottom of the pan. All husks should be removed from the surface. Then the water must be drained with a colander. The kernels will be clean, it remains only to dry them and apply as intended.

How to dry pumpkin seeds

Only ripe pumpkin seeds are suitable for drying. Empty and uneven nucleoli should not be used. Each seed must be separated from the pulp and put in a layer of 1-2 cm on paper or fabric. Drying should be carried out in a well-ventilated area. Pumpkin seeds should be mixed periodically. There is no need to rinse the grains before drying.

How to fry pumpkin seeds

It is healthier to eat raw seeds, but fried seeds are considered more delicious. When frying, they acquire a pleasant taste of walnut. Before cooking, you can rinse the pumpkin seeds, this will not affect the quality of the product.

In the pan

After washing, you can spread the seeds for half an hour on a paper towel. After that, put the pan on medium heat and place the seeds in it. Mixing starts from the moment the crackle appears. When frying it is important to periodically try the seeds so as not to overcook them. Ready seeds are laid out on a towel until completely cooled.

Frying in a pan takes an average of 20 minutes.

In the microwave

The washed seeds should be thoroughly dried by placing them on a paper towel. Then put them on a flat plate with a thin layer. So they are evenly fried. Then you need to put them in the microwave for a couple of minutes at maximum power. After two minutes, you can taste them. If necessary, return to the oven for another minute.

Medium-sized pumpkin seeds take less than 5 minutes to fry.

In the oven

Washed and dried seeds must be placed in a bowl, add a little vegetable oil and mix. Next, put the seeds on a baking sheet covered with parchment and send it to the oven preheated to 180 degrees for an hour. It is important to remove the pan and stir the product every 15 minutes. After 50 minutes, you can try them for readiness.

How to eat pumpkin seeds

Everyone knows that pumpkin seeds have many beneficial properties. With daily use of this product, health can be greatly improved. You can eat pumpkin seeds raw, fried, and also adding them to various dishes.

How much can you eat per day

In order for pumpkin seeds to be useful for the health of the body, it is important to take no more than 100 g of product per day. It is advisable to divide this dose into two doses. For children, half the daily dose of seeds is enough.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

It is not recommended to consume seeds at night. This is due to a high degree of calorie content. You can use them at night only if you cannot fall asleep due to tiredness and stress. With the help of 10 seeds, you can calm the nervous system and get enough sleep, but they must be moist.

The use of pumpkin seeds on an empty stomach is most acceptable, since a more pronounced effect from their intake is observed.

Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds with peel

You should not use the product with the peel, because due to its rough structure, it can injure the walls of the digestive tract.

The development of appendicitis most often occurs as a result of taking sunflower seeds with a peel. And after removing this organ, you should not use seeds at all, and not just pumpkin seeds.

Why pumpkin seeds are bitter

The seeds of this culture are bitter due to an improper and long storage period. Due to non-compliance with the rules and storage time, the fats present in the product are oxidized. Bitter seeds are not recommended to eat, because they are dangerous to health. Harvested seeds should be kept in a cool place. If they are peeled, it is not recommended to store them for more than six months.

Can I give pumpkin seeds to animals?

The seeds themselves are healthy and can be included in the dog’s diet. In addition to being a delicious treat for a pet, it brings a lot of benefits to the body of the animal. As you know, the plant has many essential amino acids, vitamins that contribute to the proper growth and development of the dog. The daily norm for a pet is not more than 50 g, depending on the weight of the animal.

Vitamin PP in the seeds of the culture gives the pet's coat a healthy shine, is involved in the absorption of food. In addition, pumpkin seed allows you to cleanse the intestines, relieving constipation. This leads to improved digestion.

Also, vegetable seeds help strengthen immunity, which is very important if the pet is a small breed. Another property is the strengthening of bone tissue. In addition, the product has anthelmintic action, which is also important for animals.

Veterinarians believe that cats should not be given pumpkin seeds, but if you choose clean and small pieces, you can still add them to your pet's diet. Typically, cats, smelling the smell of this product, themselves beg for seeds from the owners. This suggests that the cat’s body needs some useful elements that are part of the seed. If the pet refuses to eat seeds, you should not force him to eat them.

How to make pumpkin seed milk

Pumpkin milk is a seed product with the addition of water, sometimes a natural sweetener is used to make it. The drink is very popular among vegetarians and people with lactose intolerance.

It is worth noting that milk is enriched with such important elements as zinc and iron. Zinc has an anti-inflammatory effect, while iron takes an important role in the process of hematopoiesis. It also contains calcium and magnesium, phosphorus and a large list of vitamins, such as B vitamins, vitamin A, C, E, K.

Pumpkin milk has more beneficial properties than seeds, since they are soaked before making the drink, which allows you to reveal all the beneficial properties of the product. Milk helps cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, removes heavy metals, which facilitates the liver. The use of milk from pumpkin seeds helps in the prevention of anemia, has a diuretic effect.

Contraindications are severe gastrointestinal diseases, such as high acidity, exacerbations of gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction. Intolerance to the components of the beverage may also be observed.

You can make pumpkin milk at home. To do this, you first need to soak the pumpkin seeds in water at room temperature. It’s best to leave them all night, but a few hours will be enough.

Send prepared seeds to a blender and add water in a ratio of 1: 4. After turning on the blender, the water will turn white. Do not rush to immediately turn off the device: the smaller the seeds, the more useful the finished drink will be.

Then you need to pass the mixture through a sieve. When whipping, you can add additional components to the drink, for example, honey, berries, cinnamon.

Interesting facts about pumpkin

1. Pumpkin seeds began to be used about 7 millennia ago. Archaeologists found them during excavations in Mexico, which is the birthplace of pumpkin culture.To this day, the seeds of this vegetable are more popular there than the familiar chips.
2. Regardless of the size and shape of the seed, the beneficial elements are the same for all species.
3. With the discovery of America, Europe was surprised by such a vegetable as pumpkin, which for many millennia has been very popular among the Indians. Europeans have long enjoyed the flesh of a plant and the beauty of its flower without consuming seeds. However, pumpkin seeds have become very popular lately.
4. Few people know that the incredibly beautiful pumpkin flower can be eaten.
5. Pumpkin seed milk is a substitute for cow milk for those who cannot tolerate lactose. It can be given to young children.
6. In Ukraine, pumpkin used to be an important attribute in matchmaking. This vegetable was handed to an unenviable groom.
7. Since ancient times, the vegetable has been an ingredient in love potions, as it was believed that the product improves male sexuality.
8. Pumpkin juice has a sleeping pill.
9. Some people use pumpkin as dishes. For example, the Kyrgyz people store koumiss in it and believe that in this way it is possible to preserve the freshness of the drink for a long time.
10. Japan even arranges a festival of this vegetable. And in China, he is a talisman that protects owners from evil forces.

Photo of pumpkin seeds