Pumpkin seeds, also called “pepitas” in America, are small edible seeds of the pumpkin fruit. These seeds are wrapped in a flat, white outer cover. The light greenish, oval-shaped seeds get exposed once you remove this cover. These seeds are packed with a lot of nutrients and health benefits. They are rich in proteins and unsaturated fats like omega-6 fatty acids. [1] They also contain a host of other essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, folate, iron, vitamin B2, and beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is important for eye health. Pumpkin seeds are high in antioxidants.
These antioxidants reduce oxidative stress and protect your cells from the activities of free radicals. The antioxidant content of pumpkin seeds can help your body fight against many kinds of diseases. Pumpkin has a small molecular structure, it can penetrate deep into the skin. These nutrients do everything from hydrating to repairing damage from the inside out. A derivative of vitamin A, beta-carotene, boosts collagen production to help minimize wrinkles. Beta-carotene also helps to reverse UV damage and improve uneven skin pigmentation.
Pumpkin can also help with hair loss or thinning. Pumpkin seeds have nutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and protein as well, all of which are vital for your hair and scalp’s improved health. It is full of minerals like potassium and zinc which work to keep hair healthy and promote re-growth. Pumpkin seeds have high doses of L-lysine and iron – two nutrients which can help curb excessive hair shedding. Raising the supplementation of those nutrients can improve hair growth. Zinc present in pumpkin seeds helps to prevent and treats irritation, flaking, and itching linked to seborrheic dermatitis, thanks to its antifungal properties.
Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds are very helpful in preventing prostate troubles in men. Researches indicate that pumpkin seed oil reduces the occurrence of BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) – a circumstance in which your prostate gland becomes enlarged. The seeds are specially suggested to an individual, who feels trouble urinating thanks to BPH.
