Benefits or Uses of Pumpkin Seeds for Skin, Hair and Health
Pumpkin is a vegetable belonging to the family of gourd and contains a lot of nutrients that is good for your health. It is used in the preparation of many dishes and provides a sweet taste to the dish. It contains pumpkin seeds, which are flat and dark green in color. Some seeds have shells while others are not enclosed in a shell. Pumpkin seeds have the flavor of nuts and are sweet to taste. Roasted seed are tastier. Including pumpkin in your diet can do wonders for your skin, hair and health.
Skin Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds:
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc and Vitamin E, which cleanse your skin externally as well as from inside. Zinc is a good antioxidant and regulates the level of hormones in your body, thus reducing the risk of getting acne. These seeds are also great for your general health. Some of its benefits for the skin are:
Fights acne:
Pumpkin seeds prevent the formation of acne on your face. You get a better result by mashing the pumpkin seeds and applying the paste on your face. Leave for about 15 minutes and then wash off with water. This will protect your skin from pimples, acne, premature fine lines and other skin problems and provide you a clear skin.
Fights ageing:
The various minerals present in pumpkin seeds have great anti-ageing properties. So regular use of the seeds helps in reducing the formation of wrinkles and fine lines on your face, making your skin look young and supple.
Improves the skin tone:
It provides you a smooth and clear skin that is young and glowing. The vitamin E present in pumpkin seeds is a good antioxidant and improves your skin tone.
Protects your skin from pollution:
The presence of zinc and selenium in pumpkin seeds increase the levels of collagen and protect your skin from pollution, as well as the harmful effects of UV rays of the sun when you go out in the sun.
Rejuvenates your skin:
Pumpkin seeds rejuvenate your skin and help in the formation of new cells. It also keeps the collagen in shape.
Treating wounds:
Pumpkin seeds are beneficial in healing wounds fast. Vitamin A present in them stimulates the production of new cells and helps in the repairing of the existing skin.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds for the Hair:
Makes hair healthy:
Pumpkin seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provide you a thick, smooth and glowing hair. Pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin A, K, B, sulphur and zinc, all of which are good for a healthy scalp and a strong hair. Your hair will get these nutrients only from pumpkin seeds.
Makes hair shiny:
Vitamin E and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds provide natural sheen to your hair. Pumpkin seeds provide you thick hair and prevent premature balding of your hair. So if you have thin hair, start including pumpkin seeds in your daily diet. this is far better than buying various hair products from the market, which may contain harmful chemicals that may damage your hair.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds:
Anti microbial effects:
Pumpkin seeds, its oil and its extract are said to have antimicrobial effects. So taking pumpkin seeds daily is good for your health and makes your body immune.
Anti-diabetic effects:
A study about the effect of pumpkin seeds in animals has shown that it may help in regulating the level of insulin in the body and therefore control diabetes.
Benefits for postmenopausal women:
Studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can lead to an increase in good cholesterol, HDL, and also decreases the blood pressure, headaches, hot flashes, pain on joints and other symptoms in postmenopausal women.
Cancer related benefits:
Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants and therefore it is said to reduce the risk of cancer, especially breast cancer and prostate cancer. But it is not yet fully proved and confirmed.
For a sound sleep:
Pumpkin is rich in tryptophan, which is an amino acid that is converted to serotonin in the body. Serotonin is then converted in to a sleep hormone called melatonin. So if you suffer from insomnia or sleep problems, have pumpkin seeds with a piece of fruit a few hours before you go to bed. This helps in the formation of melatonin that is needed by your body for a restful sleep at night.
Heart and liver health:
Pumpkin seeds are very beneficial for heart and liver health as it is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and fibers. It is even more beneficial when it is mixed with flax seeds.
Helps in controlling the cholesterol level:
Being rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, pumpkin helps to increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in your body. It also decreases the level of LDL or the bad cholesterol in your body.
Presence of magnesium:
One quarter of a cup of pumpkin seeds contains about half the amount of magnesium that is needed daily. It has an important role in various physiological activities of the body like ATP formation, synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of the heart, relaxation of blood vessels, proper formation of tooth and bones and so on. Magnesium is also beneficial for controlling the blood pressure and to prevent sudden heart attack and stroke.
Prostate health:
The presence of zinc in pumpkin seeds is very beneficial for prostate health and therefore useful for men.
Reduces the level of bad cholesterol:
Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterol, which is the plant version of animal cholesterol. This helps in reducing the absorption of bad cholesterol by the body.
Rich in nutrients:
Pumpkin is one of the best foods you can have. It contains Vitamins, dietary fibers, proteins, minerals and excellent for your health. So including pumpkin in your daily diet is good for your health.
So include pumpkin seeds in your daily diet and remain healthy and fit.