Pumpkin is not only a Halloween decoration – its seeds have many valuable vitamins and nutrients, which is why they are a must-have for any healthy diet. Add them to soups, muesli, salads and salads. They will give the dishes a unique taste and provide the body with a solid dose of microelements. Why is it worth having pumpkin seeds on hand?
Mainly because of the fatty acids they contain. It is a real wealth of polyunsaturated acids, which are used to produce vitamin D, cell walls and hormones. In addition, they perform the function of transporting enzymes in our body.
- They have plenty of vitamins and minerals, including zinc.
- They have high nutritional values, thanks to which they stimulate metabolism and even improve the condition of hair, skin and nails.
- They also contain phytosterols, amino acids (glycine, glutamic acid, alanine) and unsaturated fatty acids.
One of the most important components of pumpkin seeds is linoleic acid, which is not synthesized by the body. We find it mainly in vegetable fats. We will also find palmitic acid in them, which is burned by the body, i.e. the state’s additional source of energy. Thanks to this, it improves the functioning of biological and chemical reactions.
A wealth of vitamins
However, fatty acids are not all that pumpkin seeds have to offer. These small grains have a whole lot of vitamins:
- vitamin C,
- vitamin A,
- vitamin E,
- B vitamins,
- Vitamin D
That is why pumpkin seeds are such an important component of a healthy, varied diet. B vitamins support many processes in the body. B1 is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and its deficiency causes disorders of the nervous, digestive and circulatory systems.
Vitamin B2 works in oxidation processes in the body, together with vitamin A it improves the functioning of the respiratory tract, blood vessels and skin. Vitamin B6 participates, among others, in the formation of hormones, enzymes and hemoglobin. It also enables energy storage in the body and improves the functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that supports the delivery of nutrients to the cells.
Some benefits of eating pumpkin seeds:
- Support the treatment of the kidneys,
- They prevent the formation of kidney stones,
- support circulation,
- Fight muscle cramps, hand and wrist pain,
- They relieve premenstrual tension,
- They maintain the body’s mineral economy in a state of homeostasis,
- Positively affect the growth of teeth and bones,
- Improve the condition of the skin, nails, hair,
- They strengthen the body’s immunity,
- They facilitate wound healing, produce collagen in cells, inhibit the formation of bruises,
- They support bone marrow cells,
- They have a positive effect on the nervous and muscular systems.