Pumpkin seed: composition, calories, useful and harmful properties

Everyone knows about the incredible benefits of the pumpkin for humans. Since ancient times, people have been using all parts of this vegetable. Pumpkin seeds are particularly popular. Nowadays, this inexpensive natural product is able to cure many pathologies. At the same time, it is important to use them correctly, taking into account possible contraindications and harmful effects.

Composition and calories

Pumpkin seed is a product with a large content of useful elements that normalize the work of the body. These include amino acids, fatty saturated and unsaturated acids. Also pumpkin seeds have a large amount of vitamin PP: 100 grams of product contains 170% of the norm of this substance for the day. In addition, pumpkin seeds contain mineral salts and dietary fiber. The minerals here include magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Somewhat less content of selenium, potassium, iodine, etc.

Pumpkin seeds contain more than 50 micro- and macronutrients, the lack of which reduces muscle tone, causes headaches, weakness, impairs the function of the urinary and cardiovascular systems.

The rich vitamin composition of this product is very beneficial for the human body by regulating biological processes. Thus, some of the vitamins contribute to the production of hormones.

The caloric value of 100 grams of pumpkin seeds is 540 kcal.

What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds

The main role in medicine is played not by the pumpkin pulp itself, but by its seeds. This was confirmed almost two centuries ago.

The seeds allow you to increase the protective functions of the immune system and can prevent the development of neoplasms. Also, when consuming pumpkin seeds, you can get rid of depression and cleanse the body of various toxins and detoxes. The product is able to improve sleep, is an excellent preventive agent against the development of kidney stones.

For women

The use of pumpkin seeds by women can prevent the formation of polyps in the uterus, relieves symptoms during menopause. The seeds help to alleviate hot flashes, protect against migraines, and fight irritation. Due to the enriched composition of this product allows you to keep a youthful and beautiful appearance. The seeds of this vegetable act as an excellent assistant in the fight against oily and dry hair. The product also helps to get rid of dandruff, acne, dull skin.

If the period of menstruation in women is characterized by severe abdominal pain and excessive bleeding, they can also use this plant. Useful substances in the composition of pumpkin seeds help to get rid of varicose veins, relieve fatigue and remove swelling of the legs.

For men

Benefits for men include the prevention of prostatitis and infertility. Pumpkin seeds can improve potency, contribute to the production of hormones. The product is very useful for men who plan to have children. With the help of pumpkin seeds can increase muscle mass and stamina.

Useful substances in the composition of pumpkin seeds help with baldness. This is due to the presence in them of such an element as zinc, which stimulates hair growth.

Taking the seeds also helps to protect the male body from the development of urethritis, pyelonephritis, prostate adenoma and cancer.

When pregnant

If there are no contraindications, pumpkin seed can be consumed daily in an amount not exceeding 100 grams. In this case, it is important to take into account the well-being of the pregnant woman.

As is known, pumpkin seeds contribute to strengthening the immune system, which is very necessary during the period of carrying the baby. Another important advantage of eating this product is that it can eliminate nausea associated with toxemia, get rid of heartburn and normalize bowel function. To avoid constipation, edema, pumpkin seeds should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. You should not use more than the specified rate, because due to the ability of the product to increase muscle tone, a miscarriage can happen.

When breastfeeding

The body of a nursing woman should receive the necessary amount of vitamins and useful substances. This is the key to favorable growth and development of a healthy fetus. During lactation, you can add a small amount of pumpkin seeds to your diet. However, you should take into account the well-being of the mother and monitor the child's behavior. It is not recommended to get addicted to this product during lactation.

Pumpkin seeds can increase the volume of breast milk. To do this, it is enough to eat 50-80 pieces every day.

For children

The main advantage of using pumpkin seeds in children is considered the ability of the product to remove helminths from the body. The seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which does not cause any harm to the health of the child. For this, it is enough for children to consume up to 10 seeds a day.

When losing weight

Pumpkin seeds are high-calorie, so you should not eat them if you are prone to overweight. However, the oil has a completely different effect. It belongs to the dietary products, which even allow you to lose extra pounds, if it is used correctly. This effect is based on the fact that oil can speed up lipid metabolism.

However, if properly used in the diet of pumpkin seeds, they will also help to lose weight. There is even an appropriate pumpkin seed diet.

Which pumpkin seeds are healthier: raw or roasted

To answer this question, we should first study the difference between the two types of seeds. The difference is that during the thermal processing of the product, most of the vitamins and useful elements are lost. If you add salt while frying, then such seeds will not do any good to the body, on the contrary, they will cause great harm.

It is recommended to eat pumpkin seeds in raw form. This helps to normalize the liver and intestines. Also raw seeds help with kidney disease, constipation and normalize blood pressure.

Urbech from pumpkin seeds: benefits and harms

Urbech is a zinc-rich paste, which is made from the seeds of the pumpkin crop. Such a product has a favorable effect on the condition of hair, skin, restores intestinal microflora and normalizes digestive processes. Due to the high content of vitamin E in pumpkin seeds, "Urbech" is a source of antioxidants.

This is interesting! This paste was originally taken by the Dagestani highlanders. It gave them strength and helped increase their endurance.

To prepare this dish, the seeds are dried, ground on special machines and crushed to form a homogeneous mass. For the preparation of pasta do not use high heat treatment, which allows you to save all the useful properties. Pasta is consumed in its raw form. It has a liquid consistency, so it is well assimilated by the body.

1. The benefits of pasta is that it can quench thirst and hunger, improve immunity, support the cardiovascular system, improve vision and help to lose excess weight.
2. It is also useful to use pumpkin seed paste in the treatment of respiratory diseases, impotence, prostatitis. In addition, the therapeutic effect can be obtained in the treatment of arthritis, diabetes.
3. Urbech contains many vitamins, minerals, trace elements, it can be used for weight loss, vision problems. Even during the period of carrying the baby, it is allowed to take this paste, but before using it, you should consult your doctor.
4. Scientists have determined that such a treat improves brain function. The paste is also useful for memory problems. If you consume urbeche for breakfast, you can provide the body with a charge of vivacity for the whole day.
5. Regular addition of such a product to the diet will protect against the development of colds, reduce elevated cholesterol, slow down the aging process of the skin.

It was found out that Urbech has no harm to health. Still, it is not recommended to get too much into such a paste. If you consume this delicacy in large quantities, you can gain kilograms, from which it was originally planned to get rid of. A contraindication is an allergy to the ingredients of the product.

The benefits of pumpkin seed flour

As is known, pumpkin seed meal contains in its composition such vitamins as A, C, group B and folic acid. This product is also characterized by the presence of minerals, represented by potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc. In addition, pumpkin seed powder is a source of omega-3.

Pumpkin seed meal has anti-allergic, immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects.

The product has a large amount of L-carnitine, which is a natural antidepressant. Therefore, it can be used to maintain a positive mood. Also such a product will help if you are bothered by insomnia.

For teenagers, pumpkin seed flour is useful due to its zinc content, which helps to get rid of acne. It is possible to use flour in the presence of irritable bowel syndrome, but the product should not be abused, otherwise the opposite effect will occur.

Pumpkin seed flour is characterized by a light nutty flavor and airy consistency, due to which this product is often used in bakery production, as well as in the preparation of protein shakes.

Because of excessive consumption of pumpkin seed flour can cause digestive problems, namely to appear intestinal gas, diarrhea or constipation.

Benefits of pumpkin seeds with honey

To prepare a healing remedy, you should mix a glass of pumpkin seeds kernels and half a glass of bee honey. Such a remedy is excellent for treating erectile dysfunction. You can use pumpkin seeds with honey only if you are not allergic to both products. Such a medicine of natural origin can be used to treat different age groups of patients. It is used to treat chronic prostatitis, hyperplasia, urethritis.

It is important to remember that the recipes of folk medicine are used only as adjunctive therapy. They can not replace the main medicines, which were prescribed by the doctor. This is especially true in the presence of an infectious disease, when it is necessary to be treated with antibacterial drugs.

Pumpkin seed oil: benefits and harms

Pumpkin seed oil is extracted by direct pressing of the seeds. The finished product is characterized by a specific smell and good taste. Due to its rich composition, such oil is widely used in different spheres. This product has in its composition omega-3 and omega-6, flavonoids, antioxidants and phospholipids.

1. Pumpkin seed oil improves the protective function of the body, normalizes bowel motility, protects and restores liver cells. In addition, this product is characterized by reduction of tissue swelling, improvement of metabolic processes, destruction of parasites.
2. The oil has a wound-healing effect, so it can be used for burns. It is also a good remedy for rhinitis, so it can be buried in the nose.
3. Pumpkin seed oil is a dietary product that removes all toxins from the body and regulates the water-lipid balance. It is also used for gynecological and urological diseases.

Pay attention! Pumpkin seed oil is also used in cooking, but only in raw form, you should not fry with it.

Pumpkin seed oil is widely used in medicine because of its healing properties. But in certain cases, it can harm human health. This is due to uncontrolled use and high doses. Before using it, it is important to consult a specialist.

Contraindications are exacerbations of skin diseases (psoriasis), allergies and intolerance to the components of the oil. Contraindications include cholelithiasis, diarrhea and diabetes.

It is not recommended to exceed the daily norm of pumpkin oil, which is 65 g.

Pumpkin seeds in medicine

The benefits of pumpkin seeds for human health are beyond doubt. If you regularly add this product to your diet, you can speed up recovery from certain diseases, strengthen the hair, improve the condition of the skin.

For diabetes

Pumpkin seeds can be included in the diet of a person with diabetes, both type I and type II. The seeds have a low glycemic index (25), due to which they can regulate blood sugar levels.

The main thing in this disease is to eat a small dose of seeds, because they have a high caloric value. To preserve all the useful properties of vitamins and minerals in the product, you should not fry the seeds, as most of the useful properties will disappear.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a complex disease of the gastrointestinal tract. An important point in this pathology is a strict diet, which most often involves the rejection of favorite foods.

You can not consume pumpkin seeds if there is an exacerbation of pancreatitis. This is due to the fact that they have an increased degree of fat content (almost 50 g of fat per 100 g of seeds). In the acute stage of the disease, there is almost no digestion of fats, so the excessive use of seeds will have a negative effect on the pancreas.

It is also not recommended to start using the product in chronic pancreatitis. It is better to wait for a period of remission and gradually introduce seeds into the diet. Do not eat fried pumpkin seeds with added sugar or salt.

In pancreatitis you can eat only raw seeds. In addition, they must be of high quality, without the slightest sign of rot or mold.

With gastritis

Pumpkin seeds contain in their composition a large number of useful substances, but doctors do not recommend consuming them with gastrointestinal diseases. This is especially true for gastritis with increased acidity. The components of the seeds can increase the level of acidity. With excessive use, they can harm not only the sick, but also the healthy body.

With an exacerbation of the disease, it is better to refuse to take pumpkin seeds. During remission, you can include them in the menu, but in small portions. Previously, you should consult a doctor.

For the intestines

Pumpkin seeds have a positive effect on the human body. As already mentioned, the product is quite caloric. At the same time, it contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which are able to remove stagnant gases from the intestines.

With constipation.

Components of pumpkin seeds have a laxative effect, remove toxins and toxic substances. Because of this, this product is an excellent remedy in the fight against constipation. To do this, the seeds should be consumed in raw form. You can also use a tincture of the seeds. For its preparation, one and a half tablespoons of raw materials ground in a blender should be poured over a glass of boiling water and insisted for an hour. To get rid of constipation, you should take a teaspoon of the remedy several times a day.

With gout

For gout, it is allowed to include pumpkin seeds in the daily menu. They are able to alleviate the condition in this disease. To do this, you need to take a tablespoon of seeds or a dessert spoon of seed oil twice a day. It is important to adhere to the following scheme: within 10 days to take the pumpkin product, then for 10 days you need to take a break, then repeat everything. Some experts prepare an alcoholic tincture of pumpkin seeds for rubbing the diseased areas with gout and arthritis.

For the liver

Pumpkin seeds are the most useful. For the liver, their benefit lies in the fact that pumpkin seeds can clean this organ and even take part in the treatment of its pathologies.

For hemorrhoids

To effectively treat hemorrhoids, it is recommended to use cotton swabs with pumpkin seed oil. To do this, it is enough to insert the tampon into the anus for a few hours, after which it must be replaced with a fresh one. Improvement usually comes on the 4th-5th day of treatment, but such procedures should be carried out for 7 days. If necessary, the course can be repeated after a week's break.

In cholecystitis

Preparations of pumpkin seeds can be used in the treatment of gallbladder disease, but only in remission. It is not recommended to use fried seeds or seeds with the addition of hot spices.

It is enough to use a tablespoon of ground germinated seeds in the morning, half an hour before a meal. Repeat this for no more than two weeks. If no discomfort appears, after a break, you can repeat this course.

With prostatitis

Pumpkin seeds are a natural remedy for the treatment of delicate problems among men.

To prevent the occurrence of prostatitis, you need to consume a small handful of pumpkin seeds every day. However, they should be raw or sprouted. You can prepare a cure, for which you should peel the seeds, grind with a blender and form the resulting mass of small-sized balls. Such a remedy should be stored in the refrigerator. Take one ball before meals. The course of treatment is a month. You can repeat the procedure twice a year.

Recipes of traditional medicine based on pumpkin seeds

Due to the rich vitamin and mineral composition, pumpkin seeds are widely used in various fields of medicine, cosmetology.

In diseases of the bladder

2-3 tbsp of seeds are cleaned and taken in the morning. The constituents of this product not only strengthens well, but also activates the muscles of the bladder with regular use, soothes the irritated mucosa.

With prostatitis

Dried raw seeds are crushed and mixed with honey. From the resulting mass make balls the size of a ripe cherry. Then they are slightly dried in an oven. In the morning, half an hour before a meal, eat 1 ball and drink a mug of water. The course should last 30-45 days.

How to take pumpkin seeds from worms

Often intestinal disorders such as diarrhea or constipation indicate a chronic stage of helminth infections. To get rid of parasites, you should prepare a special remedy on the basis of pumpkin seeds. To begin with, you need to peel and crush 100 raw seeds. The resulting powder should be taken by 2 tablespoons and wash them down with a glass of heated milk. This procedure should be carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach. Then, after an hour, you should take a drug that has a laxative effect.

The course of treatment of helminthiasis by this method is 5 days.

Pumpkin seeds in cosmetology

For face

Masks with pumpkin seeds are an excellent remedy for skin problems of all types. Pumpkin seed oil is perfectly absorbed and does not leave a greasy sheen. Prepared by cold pressing, it is very useful and versatile on its own, so no other ingredients can be added to it. All one needs to do is to warm the oil a little and apply it to the problem areas of the skin.

Due to the high content of zinc in pumpkin seeds, this product helps to get rid of acne.

1. As a mask, you can apply the oil to your face, lips and hands for 20 minutes. Such a procedure is recommended no more than three times a week.
2. Flour from pumpkin seeds has a rejuvenating effect, because it can be mixed with clay and do home masks.

For Hair

A mask using pumpkin seed oil is used to improve the condition of the hair. For this purpose, it is enough to apply the product to the hair, wrap the head with cellophane and a towel and leave it for the night. In the morning, you should wash everything off with shampoo. It is recommended to do this once a week.

Pumpkin seed decoction also has healing properties. It is used to rinse the hair.

Harm and contraindications

The daily rate of consumption of pumpkin seeds is no more than 100 g, you can increase this dose only if necessary, if it is required for the treatment of a particular disease. You should not exceed this norm, because the seeds are quite caloric, and due to the long digestion it is difficult to digest other products.

The contraindication to the use of pumpkin seeds is an exacerbation of all chronic pathologies. Sometimes there may be an individual intolerance, so before starting treatment with this remedy, it is important to rule out the possibility of allergies.

It is not allowed to use pumpkin seeds for small children, because they contain palmitic acid, which contributes to the deterioration of the digestive tract. In addition, this acid can inhibit the growth and development of babies.

How to choose and store pumpkin seeds

Whole, dried seeds that have been obtained from ripe vegetables are suitable for use in food. They should have a firm peel. This way the seeds are stored much longer, because this way they do not receive the air that can oxidize fats.

1. To keep the seeds for a long time, they should be dried in the sun or in a hot pan, but they should not be fried in oil.
2. Seeds with an unpleasant odor should not be used.
3. Bitter pumpkin seeds are also unsuitable for use, so before buying and making a remedy from them, it is important to taste them.
4. It is better to peel the seeds by hand or buy them already peeled.

Dried seeds are stored in a glass jar or in a bag of natural cloth. They should be stored in a cool and dark place. Fresh peeled seeds can be kept in the refrigerator for about a month, dried seeds - for a year.

How to peel pumpkin seeds

Peeling pumpkin seeds from the peel is done only after drying. Then the process will be easier. Depending on the amount of raw material, you can use two methods of cleaning, they are very simple.

1. So, if the pumpkin seeds are few, you can use small scissors. To do this, first cut off the edge of the peel on one side, moving to the top of the seed. Then the seed is turned over with the incision downward and the kernel is extracted. It is possible to peel a small number of seeds by hand, which requires only clamping it with your thumb and forefinger and pressing until a certain crunch appears. In this way, too, the kernel is easily extracted.
2. There is also a second method, which allows you to carry out the procedure quickly, but so in the seeds remain less useful elements. First, you should choose a pumpkin with large seeds. In a saucepan, you need to collect water twice the volume of the seeds. Put the container on medium heat, bring the water to a boil. The seeds should be placed in the pot and covered with a lid. In this case, it takes no more than half an hour to peel the peel. The peel will burst and rise to the surface of the water, while the kernels remain at the bottom of the pan. All husks should be removed from the surface. Then the water should be drained with a colander. The kernels will be clean, all that remains is to dry them and use them for their intended purpose.

How to dry pumpkin seeds

Only ripe pumpkin seeds are suitable for drying. You should not use empty and uneven kernels. Each seed should be separated from the pulp and placed in a 1-2 cm layer on paper or cloth. Drying should take place in a well ventilated room. Pumpkin seeds should be stirred periodically. There is no need to rinse the seeds before drying.

How to roast pumpkin seeds

It is more useful to eat raw seeds, but roasted are considered more delicious. When roasted, they take on a pleasant nutty flavor. Before cooking, you can wash the pumpkin seeds, this will not affect the qualities of the product.

In a pan

After rinsing, you can spread the seeds for half an hour on a paper towel. After that, you should put a frying pan on medium heat and place the seeds in it. Stirring begins as soon as a crackle appears. While roasting, it is important to periodically taste the seeds so as not to overcook them. The finished seeds are spread out on a towel until they have cooled completely.

Pan frying takes an average of 20 minutes.

In the microwave.

Rinsed seeds should be thoroughly dried by spreading them on a paper towel. Next, lay them out on a flat plate in a thin layer. This way they will roast evenly. Then you need to put them in the microwave for a couple of minutes at maximum power. After two minutes, you can taste them. If necessary, return them to the oven for another minute.

It takes no more than 5 minutes to roast medium-sized pumpkin seeds.

In the oven

Washed and dried seeds should be placed in a dish, add a little vegetable oil and stir. Next, place the seeds on a baking tray covered with parchment and send it to the oven preheated to 180 degrees for an hour. It is important to take out the tray every 15 minutes and stir the product. After 50 minutes, you can taste them to be ready.

How to Eat Pumpkin Seeds Properly

Everyone knows that pumpkin seeds have many useful properties. With the daily use of this product can significantly improve health. You can consume pumpkin seeds raw, fried, as well as adding them to various dishes.

How much you can eat per day.

For pumpkin seeds to be beneficial for the health of the body, it is important to take no more than 100 g of the product per day. It is desirable to divide this dose into two meals. For children, half of the daily dose of seeds is enough.

Is it possible to eat at night and on an empty stomach

It is not recommended to eat the seeds at night. This is due to the high degree of caloric content. You can use them at night only if you can not sleep because of fatigue and stress. With the help of 10 seeds you can calm the nervous system and sleep, but they must be raw.

The use of pumpkin seeds on an empty stomach is the most acceptable, as in this case there is a more pronounced effect of their intake.

Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds with the peel?

You should not consume the product together with the peel, because because of its rough structure it can traumatize the walls of the digestive tract.

The development of appendicitis most often occurs as a result of eating seeds with the peel. And after the removal of this organ and at all should not eat seeds, and not only pumpkin seeds.

Why are pumpkin seeds bitter?

The seeds of this culture are bitter because of the improper and long storage period. Due to the nonobservance of the rules and storage time, the fats in the product are oxidized. Bitter seeds are not recommended to eat, because they are dangerous to health. Harvested seeds should be kept in a cool place. If they are peeled, it is not recommended to store them longer than six months.

Can I Give Pumpkin Seeds to Animals

Pumpkin seeds themselves are useful and can be included in a dog's diet. In addition to being a tasty treat for the pet, they bring many benefits to the animal's body. As you know, the plant contains many essential amino acids, vitamins, which contribute to the proper growth and development of the dog. The daily rate for a pet is no more than 50 g, depending on the weight of the animal.

Vitamin PP in the seeds of the culture gives the coat of the pet a healthy shine, is involved in the digestion of food. In addition, pumpkin seed helps to cleanse the intestines, getting rid of constipation. This leads to improved digestive function.

Also, the seeds of the vegetable help to strengthen the immune system, which is very important if the pet is a small breed. Another property is the strengthening of bone tissue. In addition, the product has anthelmintic action, which is also important for animals.

Veterinarians believe that you should not give pumpkin seeds to cats, but if you choose clean and small pieces, you can still add them to the pet's diet. Usually, cats, smelling the smell of this product, themselves beg the seeds from the owners. This indicates that the cat's body needs some useful elements that are in the composition of the seed. If the pet refuses to eat the seeds, you should not force him to eat them.

How to make milk from pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin milk is a product from the seeds with the addition of water, sometimes a natural sweetener is used in its preparation. The drink is very popular among vegetarians and people with lactose intolerance.

It is worth noting that milk is enriched with important elements such as zinc and iron. Zinc has an anti-inflammatory effect, while iron plays an important role in the process of hematopoiesis. It also contains calcium and magnesium, phosphorus and a large list of vitamins such as B vitamins, vitamin A, C, E, K.

Pumpkin milk has more useful properties than seeds, because before making a drink they are soaked, which allows to reveal all the useful properties of the product. Milk helps to cleanse the body of toxins, removes heavy metals, which facilitates the work of the liver. The use of pumpkin seed milk helps in the prevention of anemia, has a diuretic effect.

Contraindications are severe gastrointestinal diseases such as high acidity, exacerbations of gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction. There may also be an intolerance to the components of the drink.

You can prepare pumpkin milk at home. To do this, you first need to soak the pumpkin seeds in water at room temperature. It is best to leave them overnight, but a few hours will be enough.

Prepared seeds send to the blender and pour water in a ratio of 1:4. After turning on the blender, the water will take on a white color. You should not hurry to immediately turn off the device: the finer the seeds will be, the more useful the finished drink will be.

Then you need to pass the mixture through a sieve. When whipping, you can add additional components to the drink, for example, honey, berries, cinnamon.

Interesting facts about pumpkin

1. Pumpkin seeds began to be used about 7 thousand years ago. Archaeologists found them during excavations in Mexico, which is the birthplace of the pumpkin crop. To this day, the seeds of this vegetable are more popular there than the usual chips.
2. Regardless of the size and shape of the seed, the beneficial elements in all species are the same.
3. With the discovery of America, Europe was surprised by a vegetable such as the pumpkin, which for many thousands of years was very popular with the Indians. Europeans enjoyed the pulp of the plant and the beauty of its flower for a long time without consuming the seeds. Recently, however, pumpkin seeds have become very popular.
4. Few people know that the incredibly beautiful pumpkin flower can be consumed.
5. Pumpkin seed milk is a substitute for cow's milk for those who are lactose intolerant. It can also be given to young children.
6. In Ukraine, the pumpkin used to be an important attribute during matchmaking. This vegetable was given to the unenviable groom.
7. In ancient times, the vegetable was an ingredient of a love potion, because it was believed that the product improves male sexuality.
8. Pumpkin juice has a sedative effect.
9. Some nations use the pumpkin as a utensil. For example, the Kirghiz keep koumiss in it and believe that this way they can preserve the freshness of the drink for a long time.
10. Japan even organizes a festival of this vegetable. And in China it is a talisman that protects the owners from evil forces.

Photo of pumpkin seeds