Pumpkin seeds are an edible seed typically roasted for consumption. They are a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine and are often eaten as a healthful snack.
They are sometimes referred to as pepitas, Spanish for “little seed of squash.”
This feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods.
It looks at the possible health benefits of pumpkin seeds, the nutritional content, how to use pumpkin seeds in the diet, and possible health risks.
Bone health
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, which is important for bone formation.
High magnesium intake is associated with a greater bone density and has been shown to decrease the risk of osteoporosis in women after menopause.
Diabetes
Nutrients in pumpkin seeds may help protect against type 2 diabetes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the development of diabetes, and antioxidants may help reduce the risk.
In one experiment, diabetic rats started to recover after following a diet containing a flax and pumpkin seed mixture.
The seeds are a good source of magnesium.
Studies have suggested that for every 100 milligrams (mg) a day increase in magnesium intake, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreases by approximately 15 percent.
A 100-gram (g) serving of pumpkin seeds can contain over 90 mg of magnesium.
Low magnesium levels can impair insulin secretion and lower insulin sensitivity.
Heart health
Improvement in lipid profiles has been seen with an intake of 365 milligrams of magnesium per day.
Weight loss and digestion
Other benefits of a diet that is high in fiber include:
- helping maintain a healthy weight, because the individual feels full for longer after eating
- enhancing digestive health
The immune system
Pumpkin seed oil has a high content of vitamin E and other antioxidants.
Vitamin E helps strengthen the immune system and maintain healthy blood vessels. The ODS recommend eating seeds as a source of vitamin E.
Insomnia prevention
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid.
Tryptophan has been used to treat chronic insomnia because the body converts it into serotonin, the “feel-good” or “relaxing” hormone, and melatonin, the “sleep hormone.”
A study published in 2005 in Nutritional Neuroscience suggested that consuming tryptophan from a gourd seed alongside a carbohydrate source was comparable to pharmaceutical grade tryptophan for the treatment of insomnia.
Having a few pumpkin seeds before bed, with a small amount of carbohydrates such as a piece of fruit, may be beneficial in providing your body with the tryptophan needed for melatonin production.
Pregnancy
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc.
Researchers have determined that every 100 g of pumpkins seeds contains 7.99 mg of zinc.
For male adults aged 19 years and above, the ODS recommend a daily intake of 11 mg of zinc and 8 mg for women.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 80 percent of women worldwide have an inadequate zinc intake. Low levels of zinc alter circulating levels of multiple hormones associated with the onset of labor.
Nutritionists recommend additional zinc during pregnancy, as it is likely to improve health outcomes.
Zinc is also essential for normal immune function and the prevention of uterine infections. All of these could potentially contribute to preterm delivery.
Antioxidant activity
Non-refined pumpkin seed oil is thought to offer antioxidant protection.
This is due to its PUFA and lipophilic antioxidant content. Refining an oil removes or reduces these substances.
Antioxidants are considered to be “scavengers,” tasked with removing unwanted waste substances known as free radicals. If these substances remain in the body, there is a higher risk of a range of health problems.
Antioxidants have a wide range of uses, including reducing inflammation. One study, published in 1995, found that in rats with arthritis, symptoms improved after taking pumpkin seed oil.
A German study, published in 2012, suggested that high consumption of pumpkin seeds may be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer after menopause.
Sexual, prostate, and urinary health
Pumpkin seeds have traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac in some places. In an in-house study at Mansoura University in Egypt, rats consumed a pumpkin seed extract combined with zinc.
The researchers concluded that pumpkin seeds may have a beneficial effect on sexual health status.
A study published in 2009 suggested that pumpkin seed oil may be safe and effective as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Those who consumed 320 mg a day of the oil over 6 months saw a reduction in their symptoms and improved quality of life.
In 2014, scientists found evidence that pumpkin seed oil might help treat urinary disorders in men and women. Treatment with the oil was linked to a reduction in symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Skin and eye health
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of squalene, an antioxidant compound that is similar to beta-carotene.
Squalene occurs throughout all body tissues, and it appears to play a role in protecting the skin during UV and other types of radiation exposure.
Animal studies have also suggested that squalene may play an important role in retinal health.
Squalene may also offer protection from cancer, but more research is needed to prove this.