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Milk from pumpkin seeds is an unusual product of plant origin, which has a pleasant taste and a lot of valuable properties. To evaluate the benefits of milk, you need to carefully study its composition and understand the features of the impact on the body.
The composition and value of milk from pumpkin seeds
In fact, pumpkin milk is a drink made from ground pumpkin seeds and ordinary drinking water. Therefore, the composition of the drink practically does not differ from the composition of pumpkin seeds and contains the following substances:
- vitamins of the B subgroup – among them B1 and B2, B5 and B6, B9;
- vitamins E and K;
- acid PP (niacin);
- choline;
- magnesium, manganese and copper;
- iron, fluorine, zinc and phosphorus;
- selenium;
- fiber.
However, there is an important difference, in the composition of pumpkin milk, all these substances are presented in large volumes. This is how the benefits of soaking the seeds in water are manifested, their valuable properties increase significantly.
From the point of view of nutritional value, the drink is represented mainly by fats – they are contained in milk obtained from pumpkin seeds, 6,4 g. Proteins in the product occupy 3,9 g, and milk contains very little carbohydrates – only 1,4 g. Calorie content of milk is about 72 kcal per 100 ml of product.
Benefits of milk from pumpkin seeds
In cooking and nutrition, milk is valued not only for its unusualness. The benefits and harms of milk from pumpkin seeds apply to many body systems. With regular use, this product:
- replenishes the lack of valuable substances in the body and prevents the development of chronic fatigue;
- has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and improves the quality of sleep;
- improves mood and strengthens memory, as well as increases efficiency;
- has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in the body, improves the absorption of nutrients;
- acts as a diuretic and choleretic agent, thereby helping to get rid of edema and discomfort in the intestines;
- improves the condition of the skin and hair, for these properties milk from pumpkin seeds is especially appreciated by women;
- relieves toxicosis during pregnancy;
- helps in the fight against internal inflammation, and therefore can be used for colds, stomach ailments and reproductive diseases.
Milk from pumpkin seeds has great benefits for dietary and vegetarian nutrition. It does not contain animal fats, so you can drink the drink during fasting, on a strict diet, or in compliance with the absolute rejection of animal food. Unlike cow or goat milk, vegetable milk made from pumpkin seeds is completely lactose-free. Therefore, people suffering from intolerance to conventional dairy products can consume the drink without any fear.
Some features of milk from pumpkin seeds deserve more careful consideration, since they are of particular importance for the body.
For the gastrointestinal tract
Pumpkin milk has a slight laxative effect and significantly speeds up the digestion of food. Drinking a drink made from pumpkin seeds is useful for slagging of the intestines, with sluggish peristalsis and a tendency to constipation. Milk will help get rid of flatulence, eliminate discomfort and heaviness in the stomach after eating, and generally improve well-being.
For diabetics
The benefit of pumpkin seeds and pumpkin milk is that these foods are very low in sugar and do not lead to drastic fluctuations in blood glucose levels. On the contrary, when used regularly, seed milk helps to reduce sugar levels.
This makes the drink very beneficial for type 2 diabetes. By agreement with the doctor, you can use it on an ongoing basis, giving preference to the product over regular milk.
To cleanse the body
The composition of pumpkin milk contains not only vitamins, but also a large amount of fatty acids, as well as amino acids with a pronounced anthelmintic effect. These properties make milk extremely useful for cleansing the body. When used according to proven schemes, pumpkin seed milk contributes to the normalization of stool and helps to remove accumulated toxins from the intestines, accelerates peristalsis and eliminates traces of toxins.
With the help of a drink, you can even get rid of parasites. Pumpkin milk from unpeeled seeds paralyzes any vital activity of helminths in the body and prevents them from attaching to the walls of the intestines and internal organs. If you combine the intake of milk with the use of laxatives, it will be possible to eliminate worms without the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
With anemia
Residents of the northern regions often suffer from a lack of vitamins. In addition, anemia in men and women can develop on the background of malnutrition, illness or severe stress.
Milk from ground pumpkin seeds contains a huge amount of vitamins, acids and minerals. Therefore, its use allows you to quickly restore the balance of valuable substances in the body. The drink contains a lot of iron and folic acid, so milk helps to raise hemoglobin levels, improve body tone and increase stamina.
For the heart and blood vessels
The benefits and harms of milk from pumpkin seeds are in demand for ailments of the cardiovascular system. First of all, the drink helps to lower cholesterol levels, which means it prevents blockage of blood vessels and the development of atherosclerosis.
Phytosterols present in milk from pumpkin seeds contribute to blood thinning, while fatty acids and fiber reduce the risk of arrhythmia and thrombosis. With regular use, the benefits of ground pumpkin seeds with peel will be expressed in the fact that the drink will normalize blood pressure, eliminate headaches and dizziness, and improve oxygen supply to the brain. These properties will benefit not only the elderly, but also quite young people, since recently cardiovascular ailments are increasingly developing at the age of about 30 years.
For the genitourinary system
The anti-inflammatory properties of pumpkin milk made from seeds are of great benefit to the genitourinary system. In men, due to the high content of zinc, the drink prevents the development of prostate tumors, and also has an auxiliary therapeutic effect in inflammation of the prostate gland. Since pumpkin milk improves blood circulation, it has a positive effect on potency and libido.
There will be benefits from the drink for women – milk from pumpkin seeds helps to eliminate the discomfort of cystitis. Useful substances in the composition of the drink improve well-being during menopause and during severe painful periods. In addition, the high content of iron in the drink compensates for the inevitable blood loss and helps to avoid weakness and loss of strength during menstruation.
How to make milk from pumpkin seeds at home
Ready-made milk from pumpkin seeds can only be found in specialized stores, which are far from being found everywhere. However, you can prepare a healing product at home, you will need a few ingredients, and the benefits of homemade milk will be no less.
To prepare milk, you will need to take 1 cup of unpeeled pumpkin seeds and 4 cups of clean drinking water. The procedure for making a drink is as follows:
- pumpkin seeds are poured with running cold water in a small saucepan and left for soaking for 5 hours;
- in water, pumpkin seeds will not only swell and increase in size, the volume of nutrients in them will also become larger;
- after 5 hours, the water from under the pumpkin seeds is drained, the raw materials are washed again in water and placed in the bowl of a blender or food processor;
- pumpkin seeds are poured with 4 glasses of clean water;
- mix the seeds and water in automatic mode until a homogeneous white mass is obtained.
After the milk is fully cooked, it will need to be filtered through a tightly folded cheesecloth to remove the sediment remaining from the seeds. After that, the liquid is poured into a glass vessel and used at your discretion.
Pumpkin seeds taken for the preparation of milk must be of very high quality, without flaws and dark spots, without an unpleasant odor. Then the drink will have a pure white or slightly yellowish color, an unusual but pleasant pumpkin smell and a lot of useful properties.
What can be prepared from pumpkin milk
Pumpkin milk not only brings great benefits on its own, but also goes well with a wide variety of foods. On its basis, vitamin cocktails and hearty healthy cereals, rich pastries and milk soups, desserts and sauces are prepared.
At lunch, a puree soup with unusual milk can please you with a pleasant taste and delicate texture. Prepare it like this:
- 300 g fresh pumpkin pulp cut into small pieces;
- 1 large potato washed, peeled and also cut;
- vegetables are placed in a saucepan and poured with water so that it covers the vegetables 1 cm from above;
- 1 carrot and 1 onion are fried in a preheated pan, after grating them;
- onions and carrots are added to the pan with vegetables, put on a slow fire and boiled until fully cooked until the vegetables soften.
After that, the soup is removed from the stove, 50 ml of pumpkin milk is added to it and beaten with a blender until a completely homogeneous consistency. Delicate and soft soup is decorated with a sprig of fresh herbs and served on the table.
You can also make a delicious fruit smoothie from pumpkin milk, which will benefit digestion. The prescription requires:
- wash, peel and cut into small pieces a banana and a fresh apple;
- put the ingredients in a blender;
- Pour the fruit with 150 ml of pumpkin milk and beat until the mass is completely homogeneous.
If desired, you can add a spoonful of honey or a pinch of cinnamon to a thick cocktail, or you can use it in its pure form and instantly feel an improvement in tone.
Another popular plant-based milk dish is rice porridge, which is perfect for breakfast and brings great benefits. Prepare it like this:
- pour 1 glass of fresh pumpkin milk into an enameled pan;
- over moderate heat, the milk is brought to a boil, and then 3 large spoons of rice are poured into it;
- the cereal is boiled until it softens, and 5 minutes before the readiness is salted to taste.
If desired, you can add a spoonful of natural honey or 30 g of soft raisins to the finished porridge, they will improve the taste of the dish and its nutritional value.
In addition to the listed recipes, a pumpkin seed drink can be added to tea or coffee, cocoa based on it, consumed in its pure form along with cookies or gingerbread.
Limitations and contraindications
The benefits of pumpkin seed milk are not the same for everyone. The product has certain contraindications, which include:
- gastritis with high acidity in the acute stage, since fresh milk contains a lot of natural acids, in the acute phase of the disease, a drink can worsen the condition;
- peptic ulcer or pancreatitis in a state of exacerbation, in these cases, milk will also do more harm than good;
- allergic to pumpkin and its seeds – pumpkin milk can lead to diarrhea, nausea and skin rashes;
- tendency to diarrhea – the product has laxative properties and can lead to severe intestinal upset.
Like any product, a pumpkin seed drink can only provide benefits in moderation. It is recommended to drink it in volumes of no more than 1 glass per day, otherwise the milk will have a laxative effect and can provoke an attack of diarrhea or vomiting.
How to store pumpkin seed milk
Valuable vitamins and natural acids in the composition of seed milk give it great benefits, but at the same time greatly reduce the shelf life of the drink. Fresh milk is stored for no longer than 3-5 days, and if sweeteners or pieces of fruit were added to the drink, the storage time is reduced to a day.
Keep milk from pumpkin seeds only in the refrigerator. At room temperature and in the light, it will deteriorate in a couple of hours and become unsuitable for eating.
Conclusion
Milk from pumpkin seeds is rarely found in stores, but it can be easily prepared on your own in the home kitchen. The drink has a lot of useful properties, has a beneficial effect on all body systems and has almost no contraindications, the main thing is to observe small dosages when using it.
