There is practically no reason for you to throw away those pumpkin seeds. According to nutritional experts, they are some of the very few foods that become more beneficial for the health the older they get. Whether taken as they are during snack times or added to your salad or some baked treats, incorporating them into your diet can be very easy.
Here are the top 5 reasons why those pumpkin seeds should be seen more often on the dining table:
1. They help promote and maintain excellent heart health.
Those tiny green seeds are wonderful sources of magnesium, a mineral good for the heart. Magnesium helps maintain a steady heart rhythm. It is also known to lower the blood pressure as well as ward off heart attack and stroke.
2. Pumpkin seeds strengthen the immune system.
If you are prone to allergies and infections like sore throat, colds, cough and flu, it’s a good idea to grab a handful of pumpkin seeds during snack time. That’s because they are loaded with zinc, a mineral known to boost your immunity. Zinc is also essential for wound healing, acne treatment and osteoporosis prevention.
3. Their consumption helps maintain a healthy prostate.
The zinc content of pumpkin seeds makes them highly recommended for men. The said mineral is beneficial in promoting a healthy prostate as well as in dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or the enlargement of the prostate.
4. Pumpkin seeds are good for individuals with diabetes.
It’s because several researches had revealed that pumpkin seeds are effective in regulating the body’s insulin production. In addition, antioxidants these seeds contain help prevent oxidative stress, thus keeping at bay the complications of diabetes.
5. Consuming them before bedtime may help you get to dreamland.
Especially if you are having trouble getting some shuteye, it’s a good idea to snack on pumpkin seeds especially before you hit the sack. These green seeds supply the body with tryptophan, an amino acid necessary for the production of serotonin. Experts say that people who are having a difficult time falling and staying asleep have low serotonin levels.
These are the 5 health benefits offered by the simple consumption of pumpkin seeds. Other than eating them roasted, you may go creative and sprinkle them on salads, add a handful to your trail mix or place some on your muffins.
