Looking for the perfect food to give you a big nutritional boost? Look no further than mother nature! Some of the best foods for you come from some very surprising places. Some of these “superfoods” you’ve heard of, and some are extremely uncommon. Here are Bizzy Coffee, we are profiling some of the greatest superfoods out there by looking at some of the amazing nutritional benefits they offer. Today, we’ll be looking at the pumpkin seed!
The pumpkin has been a staple of American agriculture since ancient times. Many Native American tribes cultivated the pumpkin for making both food and medicine. The consumption of the pumpkin seed itself can be traced all the way back to the Aztecs of Central America. Pumpkin seeds are packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all of which are great for the human body. Here are a few of the best things pumpkin seeds have to offer you!
Magnesium
Pumpkin seeds are extremely high in magnesium, and are in fact one of the best natural sources of this vital mineral. Magnesium is critical for bone and tooth development and helps keep them strong and sturdy. The mineral increases bone density, thus lowering the risk of breakage and/or developing osteoporosis. Magnesium is also critical in various enzyme reactions in your body which help you to metabolize food as well as the synthesis of proteins and fatty acids. In addition, Magnesium can lower your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Zinc
Pumpkin seeds are also rich in Zinc, had have been traditionally valued for this important mineral. Zinc has a number of benefits for your body, including aiding in cell growth and enhancing your senses of smell and taste. Zinc is also an important mineral for men’s health, improving both prostate health and sperm quality.
Fiber
Fiber is an important part of any diet, and pumpkin seeds are a great and delicious way to get more of it into your system. Shelled seeds contain about 1.7 grams of fiber per ounce. Fiber is great for your digestive system, and has been linked to lower risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Tryptophan
Pumpkin seeds can even help you sleep! Loaded with the amino acid tryptophan, a critical component in regulating your sleep cycle, pumpkin seeds can do a lot to get you a better night’s sleep. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin and melatonin by your body, and increased levels of these hormones has been consistently linked to easier and better sleep.
Pumpkin seeds are a staple of an exceptionally healthy diet and there are lots of great ways to work them into your daily eating routine. The seeds are great on salads or in granola and can even be made into a spread like peanut butter using a food processor. Here at Bizzy Coffee, our favorite way to eat pumpkin seeds is Go Raw’s sprouted pumpkin seeds. These are tasty enough to be eaten raw and make a great addition to countless recipes. Try them in your next recipe!
Sources:
- “9 Amazing Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds.” Mercola.com.
- Brown, Mary Jane. “Top 11 Science-Based Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 12 June 2016.
- LD, Megan Ware RDN. “Pumpkin Seeds: Health Benefits, Nutritional Information.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 18 Jan. 2017.
- “Pumpkin Seeds.” World's Healthiest Foods, www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82.