It's pumpkin season and most of you have one on your front porch by now! If you're like most, the first thing you do is scoop out the seeds and throw them away. But wait!!
What if I tell you these seeds can help your hair grow faster, maintain your bone health and much more? Would you still throw them away?!
Yes! These seeds are full of vital nutrients your body needs. Best of all they make a tasty snack.
And if you're concerned that the pumpkin patch you pluck your decorative pumpkin from isn't using organic farming methods then you can find pumpkin seeds available at a lot of grocery stores too.
4 Reasons to Eat Pumpkin Seeds
1. Power Packed Nutrition
An ounce of pumpkin seeds gives you 7 grams of protein. It's also packed with minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper.
By eating an ounce a day, you can meet your daily allowance of these minerals. And getting magnesium and copper is ideal for your bone health too.
2. Good for Your Heart
Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium. This mineral helps in energy production, nerve health, maintaining blood pressure and much more. It's also vital for the pumping action of your heart muscles.
About 80%eighty percent of the U.S population is low in magnesium levels.
TweetThis can cause heart issues and other problems like migraines. Research says that a good magnesium balance helps lower a lot of health risks. This includes conditions like stroke and heart attack.
3. Healthy blood Cholesterol
Pumpkin seeds are among the third highest in phytosterol. This compound helps to reduce high cholesterol levels in your blood.
Eating foods rich in phytosterols helps to block cholesterol absorption in your body.
These tiny seeds are also among your best source of omega-3 fat, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). ALA helps lower inflammation, maintain healthy blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
4. Immune Booster
Eating two tablespoons of pumpkin seed butter can help boost your immunity. The seeds are rich in iron, zinc and selenium, which help your immune system to work well.
They also contain a special type of protein called lignans. Lignans, help fight viruses and tiny bacteria to keep you healthy.
4 Easy Ideas to Enjoy Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are versatile and easy to use in most recipes. Here are some quick ways to enjoy them:
- Sprinkle on top of salads.
- Toast them to carry as a snack or add to trail mix.
- Soak and grind them to make pumpkin seed butter. Great on toast with a drizzle of honey. Makes a great salad dressing!
- Add them to your breakfast oatmeal.
Be sure to refrigerate pumpkin seeds to keep the nutrients intact. Sprouted seeds are tasty and make digestion easier. To use them as a spread, soak them and grind into a smooth paste for a delicious spread.
Aren't you glad you saved your pumpkin seeds now?! They aren't the only fruit and veggie scraps you should never throw away either.
You may also be interested in:
Healthy Pumpkin Protein Cookies
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your Fall loving friends and I invite you to comment below. Do you always save your pumpkin seeds when you carve your jack-o-lantern?
