A lot of interesting facts can be heard about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds. It is known that this product contains a huge number of useful components that the body needs for its normal functioning. Another positive quality of this product is its very low cost. As for the place of purchase, you can find it in any store, in a pharmacy or prepare it yourself from fresh pumpkin fruits grown on the site.
So what is the benefit and harm of pumpkin seeds? How to take this drug and in the treatment of which diseases they are especially necessary? About all this further.
Useful components
You can talk about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for a very long time, however, first of all, you should pay attention to the fact that this product has a large number of useful trace elements, including vitamins and minerals. If you touch on this issue in more detail, then the composition of this product contains carbohydrates that are very easily absorbed by the human body. In addition, in it you can find several types of amino acids, a dozen minerals, as well as fatty acids that nourish the cells of the body and help increase the tone of the whole body.
If we talk about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds, the daily norm of this product contains a huge amount of vitamins necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Among them are those that belong to groups A, B, C, E, D, as well as K, PP and F. The last of them is quite rare in ordinary food products.
As for trace elements, among the most valuable of those that are part of the seeds are: copper, phosphorus and magnesium - here their number is equal to the daily norm for an adult human body. Speaking about the benefits and harms of raw pumpkin seeds, one should also know that the product contains a high content of rare manganese. 100 g of the product contains its double daily dose of the needs of the body, which can very rarely be found in other food products.
In addition to all of the above, pumpkin seeds are rich in such an element as zinc, as well as phytosterols, which help protect the heart muscle from heart attacks.
The nutritional value
Speaking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds, one should not forget that this product has decent nutritional value. 100 g of seeds contains a high content of fats (45 g), as well as proteins (25 g). As for carbohydrates, they are much smaller - only 14 g per 100 g of product. In addition, the composition of pumpkin seeds has a small content of ash useful for the human body (5 g), as well as water (7 g).
Pumpkin seeds - this is a fairly high-calorie product, per 100 g of which accounts for 542 kcal.
Positive properties of pumpkin seeds
If we talk very briefly about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for the human body, then, first of all, the positive qualities of this product are striking. So, it should be understood that due to the presence of a large number of components necessary for normal life activity in the composition of the product, its regular use can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, as well as the occurrence of problems with elements of the gastrointestinal tract. Among other things, the seeds of this vegetable do an excellent job cleaning blood vessels. Their use stabilizes the level of glucose in the body to a normal level, and also normalizes blood pressure.
As for the positive properties, they also relate to the reproductive system in the human body. Speaking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds, one cannot fail to mention that this product stimulates the production of sex hormones, due to which both men and women improve reproductive abilities.
Contraindications
Discussing the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for women and men, we should also mention the contraindications that this product has. These include high calorie seeds. This is especially true for those who want to lose a few extra pounds of their weight.
Despite the huge number of positive qualities, pumpkin seeds can cause irreparable harm to the human body, which has such diseases as gastritis, ulcers, as well as difficult patency of the intestine. This is due to the fact that such a product is difficult to digest.
Knowing the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds in diabetes, it should be remembered that with such a disease of the second degree, this product is contraindicated for use in a fried form. In other cases, it will only be useful.
Pumpkin Seed Tips
Talking about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for the human body is very small. In order for their use to really bring a positive effect to the maximum, you need to know several important rules regarding their intake.
So, first of all, it should be remembered that in order for the body to receive the largest number of useful components that are contained in the seeds, they should be thoroughly chewed. You should also remember that this product is not very well digested. That is why, in conjunction with it, it is desirable to eat food that is absorbed quite quickly.
Dentists do not recommend brushing dried seeds with teeth - enamel spoils very much. For this purpose, it is better to use your hands.
In order for the body to receive the maximum amount of useful trace elements, seeds should be cleaned only before eating. This rule is especially true for those who prefer to purchase pre-refined seeds in packs at stores. Alas, they practically do not contain useful components in their composition.
How to harvest seeds yourself
Knowing the benefits and harms of peeled pumpkin seeds, many fans of a healthy lifestyle tend to include them in their daily diet. As a rule, everyone prefers to buy such a product in stores. However, such seeds can be prepared independently. The main thing in this procedure is to ensure the safety of all trace elements, vitamins and other beneficial components.
How to properly prepare pumpkin seeds? First of all, it should be understood that they should be removed only from the most ripe fruits, when the seeds in them have already ripened. After removal from the fetus, they must be washed thoroughly and dried thoroughly - the only way to save the greatest number of useful trace elements. In the event that the seeds are left in raw form for a long time, they will very quickly lose a significant part of important trace elements.
With regard to storage conditions, for this purpose, you should also choose the driest place so that the seeds are not damp. As packaging, paper bags or bags made of natural fabric are ideal. The maximum shelf life of the product, provided that the correct regime is maintained, is three years.
In the event that there is no time for long drying of seeds in air, you can do this in the oven.
The benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for women
For representatives of different sexes, pumpkin seeds have a certain benefit, and also have some negative effects.
So, for the fair sex, this product is especially useful, as it improves the reproductive system. They also bring great benefit during pregnancy, because it is with the help of pumpkin seeds that future mothers can fight toxicosis or with seasickness. If you use this product in moderation, then the beneficial microelements present in it will positively affect the development and health of the fetus.
The benefits of seeds for girls and women are also expressed in the fact that their constant use helps to improve the condition of hair, skin, as well as nails, making them stronger and more beautiful.
Speaking about the dangers of pumpkin seeds for the female body, it should be understood that this product is high-calorie, because of which its excessive use will lead to an increase in body weight, which definitely will not please any representative of the fair sex.
The benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for men
Representatives of the stronger sex, who want to bring their health back to normal, should also use the seeds of this vegetable. However, moderation in the use of this product has not yet been canceled.
Speaking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds for men, special attention should be paid to the fact that they favorably affect potency and also prevent the appearance of such a common disease as prostatitis. Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds helps improve blood circulation in the body, as well as reduce stress. In addition, the presence of micronutrients such as zinc and magnesium in the seed composition is excellently affected by male health. In order for the product to have the most significant positive effect on the whole body, you should use it in its raw form, without salt.
Some men who are actively involved in sports, using pumpkin seeds, can build muscle mass, which is due to the high protein content in the product. Due to the regular use of this product's oil, many representatives of the stronger sex have saved themselves from baldness, as well as from prostate adenoma.
When are pumpkin seeds harmful to the stronger sex? As a rule, men are very fond of using such a product in salt form, in combination with beer, and even in fried form - in which case they can harm the body. The same applies to the case when the pumpkin seeds are eaten on an empty stomach, in which case vomiting and sharp pains in the stomach and intestines can be observed.
For the smallest
Speaking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds for children, it should be understood that for children who are overweight at an early age, it is best not to give this product as food. In other cases, pediatricians advise to enter the ingredient in the diet no earlier than three years old, which is associated with the peculiarity of the process of its digestion in the digestive tract.
In order for the seeds to benefit the child's body, it is necessary to give them only in fresh form, without adding salt. They can be added to cereals and first courses, previously chopped.
What are the beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds for the baby? First of all, they strengthen his immunity. In addition, the product perfectly protects the body from all kinds of infections and viruses, and also reliably protects from worms.
There is much to say about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for the child’s body, but it should also be understood that the use of such a product must be strictly limited due to the high content of manganese in the composition. An excess of it can adversely affect the development of the child.
Caring parents should pay attention to the fact that with a lack of growth in the child, this problem can also be corrected by pumpkin seeds. Giving him 25 purified kernels every day, you can notice a significant improvement in growth. This is due to the presence of a high content of zinc in the composition of the product, which contributes to the development of bone tissue.
In what form is it better to use the product
When using a product for food, it should be understood that it will be useful only if it is processed correctly.
Speaking about the benefits and harms of fried pumpkin seeds, it should be understood that as a result of heat treatment, the seeds lose most of the useful trace elements that make up their composition. In some cases, they even harm the body, impairing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. You should also know that in the process of frying, fats, which are very numerous in the composition of the seeds, are oxidized in a peculiar way, releasing aldehydes and peroxides harmful to the body. Unfortunately, many representatives of the Russian population prefer to use fried pumpkin seeds in combination with salt and beer - of course, in this form, the seeds just do not bring benefits, but only harm the body.
The largest amount of nutrients is found in raw pumpkin seeds. It is in them that there are all those components that help fight the problems of the liver, blood, pressure, heart, as well as the intestines and kidneys. According to doctors, the daily norm of seeds for an adult is about 60 g. If desired, this norm can be increased.
Questions regarding the benefits and harms of the skin of pumpkin seeds cause a lot of controversy. In particular, some nutritionists claim that they contain a large amount of nutrients. However, doctors do not adhere to this theory, saying that the peel of the seeds is rather rough and hard, due to which, if it enters the stomach, it can injure its walls - as a result, inflammation and pain appear. In addition, the peel of pumpkin seeds is practically not digested, which is also bad for the body. In connection with the above arguments, gastroenterologists categorically do not recommend eating skins.
Pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil is a product that is made by pressing seeds. It can be purchased at drugstores, and this useful remedy is very expensive, which, of course, is its big disadvantage.
In appearance, this product has a dark green color, and also has an interesting, very pleasant aroma. The product also tastes pretty good.
As for useful qualities, there are a lot of them in oil. This is due to the fact that its production is carried out by cold pressing of seeds, due to which the complex of useful microelements and vitamins are stored in the finished product.
Very often, this tool is prescribed by gastroenterologists for those people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and cardiologists recommend it to people who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Pumpkin oil, thanks to the components contained in it, perfectly affects the organs of vision, as well as the nervous and immune systems. Regular use of this product significantly reduces the level of cholesterol in the body, and also maintains the hormonal levels of both men and women at an appropriate level.
Pumpkin seed medicine
Knowing the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seed oil, as well as the seeds themselves, many drug manufacturers create tablets based on them. Examples of such drugs are Tykveol, Tykvavit, Peponen, Cholenol, as well as Vitanorm. Their cost is relatively small, which cannot be said about the usefulness of the properties.
In addition to pumpkin-based vitamins and tablets, many people in Russia who monitor their health prefer to use oil squeezed from pumpkin seeds as well as extract extracted from them - these items are also sold in pharmacies.
Application in traditional medicine
Many, it would seem, complex diseases are perfectly treated with folk methods, using pumpkin seeds. So, problems with constipation at home can be solved by filling a teaspoon of seeds with an incomplete glass of hot water. In this form, the mixture must be covered with a lid and left to infuse for half an hour. After this time, the drink can be consumed - its positive properties will soon be noticeable. Also, for individuals who suffer from constant constipation, a small daily intake of pumpkin seeds is recommended - 10-15 kernels.
For people suffering from kidney diseases, a real panacea will also be tincture made on the basis of pumpkin seeds. In order to cook it, you need to pour a glass of boiling water in a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds that have been previously peeled and put on a slow fire. In this form, the mass should boil a little and stand for half an hour. After this, the liquid should be filtered and, letting it insist, be eaten in a glass three times a day. For greater efficiency, every time you need to cook a fresh broth.
All those who suffer from pancreatitis can try to use a sweet and rather tasty treat consisting of pumpkin seeds and honey. To prepare it, mix the listed ingredients in a ratio of 5: 1, respectively. To prepare such a “medicine”, pumpkin seeds should be chopped beforehand. Take this remedy every day three times a day, before meals.
It's no secret that pumpkin seeds perfectly help fight worms. How to apply this tool in practice? In order to make a home remedy for an existing problem, grind 200 g of pre-dried pumpkin seeds with a coffee grinder. To the resulting mass, add five cloves of garlic, as well as a couple of tablespoons of bee honey. In this composition, the ingredients should again be crushed and leave the mixture to infuse for a day. When the "medicine" is ready, it should be taken once a day, in the morning before meals. As practice shows, after three days, the parasites completely leave the intestines, so that the problem is completely eliminated.