Pumpkin seeds: benefits and harms for children and adults, how to take, daily dose

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

You can hear a lot of interesting facts about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds. It is known that this product contains a huge amount 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 are the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds? How to take this remedy and in the treatment of which diseases they are especially needed? More on all this later.

Useful ingredients

You can talk about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds for a very long time, however, first of all, you should pay attention to the fact that this product contains a large number of useful trace elements, including vitamins and minerals. If we touch on this issue in more detail, then this product contains carbohydrates that are very easily absorbed by the human body. In addition, it canfind several types of amino acids, a dozen minerals, as well as fatty acids that nourish the cells of the body and help improve 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 he althy lifestyle. Among them are those that belong to groups A, B, C, E, D, as well as K, PP and F. The last of these is quite rare in ordinary foods.

As for trace elements, among the most valuable of those that are part of the seeds are: copper, phosphorus and magnesium - here their amount is equal to the daily norm for an adult human body. Talking about the benefits and dangers of raw pumpkin seeds, you should also be aware that the product contains a high content of rare manganese. 100 g of the product contains its double daily dose of the body's needs, which can be very rarely found in other foods.

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.

Nutritional value

When talking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds, do not forget that this product has a decent nutritional value. 100 g of seeds contains a high content of fats (45 g) and proteins (25 g). As for carbohydrates, they are much less - only 14 g per 100 g of product. In addition, pumpkin seeds contain a small amount of ash (5 g) useful for the human body, as well as water.(7 g).

Pumpkin seeds are a fairly high-calorie product, with 542 kcal per 100 g.

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 in the composition of the product, its regular use can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack, as well as the occurrence of problems with the elements of the gastrointestinal tract. Among other things, the seeds of this vegetable do an excellent job of 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 apply to the reproductive system in the human body. Speaking about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds, one cannot fail to mention that this product stimulates the production of sex hormones, which improves reproductive abilities in both men and women.

Contraindications

Talking about the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seeds for women and men, we should also mention the contraindications that this product has. Among them are the high calorie content of seeds. This is especially true for those who want to lose a few extra pounds of their weight.

Despite the huge number of positivequalities, pumpkin seeds can cause irreparable harm to the human body, which has diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, as well as difficult intestinal patency. This is due to the fact that such a product is hard 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 fried consumption. In other cases, it will only be useful.

Tips for eating pumpkin seeds

There is very little to talk about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for the human body. In order for their use to really bring a positive effect to the maximum, you need to know a few important rules regarding their use.

So, first of all, it should be remembered that in order for the body to receive the maximum amount of useful components contained in the seeds, they should be chewed thoroughly. It should also be remembered that this product is not very well digested. That is why, in combination with it, it is desirable to eat food that is digested rather quickly.

Dentists do not recommend brushing the dried seeds with your teeth - the enamel deteriorates so badly. 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-cleaned seeds in packs in stores. Alas, they practically do not contain useful components in theircomposition.

How to harvest seeds yourself

Knowing the benefits and dangers of peeled pumpkin seeds, many fans of a he althy lifestyle seek to include them in their daily diet. As a rule, everyone prefers to purchase 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 useful components.

How to properly harvest 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 are already ripe. After being removed from the fetus, they must be thoroughly washed and dried properly - this is the only way to save the greatest amount of useful trace elements. In the event that the seeds are left raw for a long time, they will very quickly lose a significant part of the important trace elements.

As for storage conditions, for such a purpose, you should also choose the driest place so that the seeds do not become damp. As packaging, paper bags or bags made of natural fabric are ideal. The maximum shelf life of the product, provided that the correct mode is ensured, is three years.

In the event that there is no time for a long drying of the seeds in the air, you can do it in the oven.

The benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for women

For representatives of different sexes, pumpkin seeds have certain benefits, and also provide somenegative impacts.

So, for the fair sex, this product is especially useful, as it improves the functioning of the reproductive system. They also bring great benefits during pregnancy, because it is with the help of pumpkin seeds that expectant mothers can fight toxicosis or seasickness. If you use this product in moderation, then the beneficial trace elements it contains will positively affect the development and he alth of the fetus.

The benefits of seeds for girls and women are also expressed in the fact that their constant use improves the condition of hair, skin, and 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 in calories, due to which its excessive use will lead to an increase in body weight, which will definitely not please any of the fair sex.

Benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for men

The stronger sex, who wish to bring their he alth 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 harms of pumpkin seeds for men, special attention should be paid to the fact that they have a positive effect on potency, and also prevent the occurrence of such a common disease as prostatitis. Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds helps to improve blood circulation in the body, as well as reduce stress. In addition, men's he alth is excellent. The presence of trace elements such as zinc and magnesium in the composition of the seeds affects. In order for the product to have the most significant positive effect on the entire body, it should be consumed raw, without s alt.

Some men who are actively involved in sports, with the help of pumpkin seeds can build muscle mass, which is due to the high content of proteins in the composition of the product. Thanks to the regular use of the oil of this product, many men have saved themselves from baldness, as well as from prostate adenoma.

When are pumpkin seeds bad for men? As a rule, men are very fond of consuming such a product in a s alty form, in combination with beer, and even in a fried form - in this case, they can harm the body. The same applies to the case when 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 little ones

Speaking about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for children, it should be understood that children who suffer from overweight at an early age are best not to give this product to food. In other cases, pediatricians advise introducing the ingredient into the diet no earlier than from the age of three, which is due to the peculiarity of the process of its digestion in the organs of the digestive tract.

In order for the seeds to benefit the child's body, it is necessary to give them only fresh, without adding s alt. They canadd to cereals and first courses, pre-chopping.

What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds for the baby's body? 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 against worms.

One can talk a lot about the benefits and harms of pumpkin seeds for a 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 a child, this problem can also be corrected by pumpkin seeds. By giving him 25 peeled kernels every day, a significant improvement in growth can be seen. This is due to the presence of a high content of zinc in the composition of the product, which promotes the development of bone tissue.

In what form is it better to use the product

When eating a product, 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 beneficial trace elements that make up their composition. In some cases, they even harm the body, worsening 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 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 s alt and beer - of course, in this form, the seeds definitely do not bring benefits, but only harm the body.

The greatest amount of nutrients is found in raw pumpkin seeds. It is in them that there are all those components that help to deal with problems of the liver, blood, pressure, heart, as well as 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 peel 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 such a theory, saying that the peel of the seeds is rather rough and hard, because of which, if it enters the stomach, it can injure its walls - as a result, inflammation and pain appear. Among other things, 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 the skins.

Pumpkin seed oil

Pumpkin seed oil is a product that is made by pressing seeds. It can be purchased at pharmacies, and this useful tool is very expensive, which, of course, is its big disadvantage.

Looks likeThis tool has a dark green color, and also has an interesting, very pleasant aroma. The taste of the product is also quite 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 the seeds, due to which the complex of useful microelements and vitamins is preserved in the composition of the finished product.

Very often this remedy 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 its components, has a great effect on 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 background of both men and women at an appropriate level.

Medicines based on pumpkin seeds

Knowing the benefits and dangers of pumpkin seed oil, as well as the seeds themselves, many drug manufacturers create pills based on them. Examples of such drugs are Tykveol, Tykvavit, Peponen, Cholenol, and Vitanorm. Their cost is relatively small, which cannot be said about the usefulness of the properties.

In addition to vitamins and pumpkin-based tablets, many Russians who monitor their he alth prefer to usefor food, oil squeezed from pumpkin seeds, as well as an extract extracted from them - these elements are also sold in pharmacies.

Use in traditional medicine

Many seemingly 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 should 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 people who suffer from constant constipation, it is recommended to consume pumpkin seeds daily in a small amount - 10-15 kernels.

For people suffering from kidney disease, a real panacea will also be a tincture made on the basis of pumpkin seeds. In order to cook it, you need to pour a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds pre-shelled with a glass of boiling water and put on a slow fire. In this form, the mass should boil a little and stand for half an hour. After that, the liquid should be filtered and, after letting it brew, eat a glass three times a day. For greater efficiency, each time you need to prepare a fresh decoction.

All those who suffer from pancreatitis can try eating a sweet and rather tasty delicacy consisting of pumpkin seeds and honey. To prepare it, you should mix the listed ingredients in a ratio of 5: 1, respectively. To prepare such a "medicine", pumpkin seeds must first be crushed. Take this remedyneed every day three times a day, before meals.

It's no secret that pumpkin seeds are great for fighting 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 be crushed again and the mixture should be left to infuse for a day. When the "medicine" is ready, it should be taken as food once a day, in the morning before meals. As practice shows, after three days the parasites completely leave the intestines, due to which the problem is completely eliminated.