Are pumpkin seeds nutritious after eating pumpkin?
Golden pumpkins have become a frequent guest on the table in autumn and winter. Steamed pumpkin, cooked pumpkin porridge, stewed pumpkin dishes... These delicacies are not only delicious, but also nutritious on the table of the elderly. When eating pumpkin, how do you deal with the pumpkin seeds inside? You should know that it is a pity to throw them away, because the nutritional value of pumpkin seeds is no less than that of pumpkin meat.
First of all, pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which is a trace element that is essential for enhancing the body's antibacterial and bactericidal ability. Especially for men, the zinc in pumpkin seeds helps to eliminate early aseptic prostatitis and maintain the health of the urinary system; zinc can also promote cell growth and division, which is an indispensable nutrient for the immune system of the elderly.
Secondly, pumpkin seeds are also very high in potassium. Potassium helps to excrete excessive sodium in the body due to excessive salty diet, thereby helping to stabilize blood pressure. For patients with hypertension, it is an ideal natural regulator. Potassium can also maintain the normal function of the heart and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Pumpkin seeds contain 163 calories per ounce (28.35 grams) and are an excellent source of the following vitamins and minerals.
They also contain moderate amounts of other micronutrients, including iron, potassium, selenium, niacin, and folate.
Are they a good source of protein?
At 8.45 grams of protein per ounce, pumpkin seeds are relatively high in protein.
What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds?
In addition to providing nutrients, let's now explore some additional benefits pumpkin seeds may provide.
1) May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Since pumpkin seeds contain fat, fiber, and protein, they can help slow blood sugar's response to carbohydrate intake.
For example, one randomized controlled trial looked at the effects of adding pumpkin seeds to a high-carbohydrate meal on blood sugar levels.
In the study, 15 participants ate one of three meals on three non-consecutive days:
High-carbohydrate meal
65 grams of pumpkin seeds mixed with a high-carbohydrate meal
65 grams of flax seeds mixed with a high-carbohydrate meal
The mixed meal containing 65 grams of pumpkin seeds reduced the post-meal blood sugar spike by about 35% compared to the high-carbohydrate meal alone. This finding suggests that combining pumpkin seeds with carbohydrates may help lower blood sugar levels.
2) A Great Source of Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important essential nutrients found in pumpkin seeds.
This is because it is difficult to find dietary sources high in magnesium, but pumpkin seeds contain a lot of magnesium.
The 156 mg of magnesium provided by pumpkin seeds per ounce is equivalent to 37% of the recommended daily intake.
Among its many functions, magnesium plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
3) Rich in Polyphenols
Pumpkin seeds are rich in polyphenols, compounds that are often referred to as "antioxidants."
In addition to their antioxidant properties, polyphenols can also play a range of roles. These effects may include anti-inflammatory effects and beneficial effects on blood lipids and blood pressure.
The main polyphenols found in pumpkin seeds are phenolic acids, such as parahydroxybenzoic acid.
Interestingly, a study on the nutritional content of pumpkin seeds found that the polyphenol content of pumpkin seeds was significantly higher after roasting.
The authors of the study speculated that this may be due to the roasting process weakening the cellular structure of the pumpkin seeds, thereby releasing the bound polyphenols.
4) Potential Benefits for Heart Health
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Numerous studies have shown that these fats can have beneficial effects on heart health and help reduce cardiovascular risk.
The mechanism is through their effects on blood lipids, specifically their ability to reduce LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels.
Pumpkin Seed Protein, a protein derived from pumpkin seeds, is a nutrient-dense source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It is a highly digestible, complete plant-based protein that contains all nine essential amino acids your body needs.
Pumpkin seed protein is an excellent source of protein for vegetarians, vegans, or plant-based diets. It's a healthier alternative to animal proteins like meat and dairy because it's lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. Additionally, pumpkin seed protein is free from common allergens such as gluten, soy, and dairy, making it suitable for those with food allergies or sensitivities.
It has many potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, promoting heart health, regulating blood sugar levels, and supporting a healthy immune system, among others.
Food ingredients: Pumpkin Seed Protein can be used as a substitute for plant protein in food and beverages, such as adding to bread, pastry and other products to increase their protein content.
Health products and nutritional supplements: As a natural protein source, Pumpkin Seed Protein can be used to manufacture various health products to provide various amino acids, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients needed by the human body.
Pharmaceutical field: Pumpkin Seed Protein has a variety of biologically active components, including polysaccharides, sterols, flavonoids, etc. These components have certain pharmacological activities and have certain application value in prevention and treatment.
Cosmetics: The antioxidant and moisturizing properties of Pumpkin Seed Protein make it an important component of cosmetics, such as face cream, shampoo and conditioner, etc., which can increase the nutritional content and moisturizing capacity of products.