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What are the 6 main health benefits of pumpkin seeds?
1. May support blood sugar balance
Pumpkin seeds, together with linseed, may be helpful in preventing diabetic complications, such as high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The hypoglycaemic properties of these seeds may help those with diabetes to better manage blood sugar levels.
Read Diabetes UK’s top 10 dietary tips to manage diabetes.
2. May help to regulate blood pressure
Being an excellent source of magnesium, pumpkin seeds may help regulate blood pressure as part of a healthy diet, but more research is needed on the role magnesium plays in this area.
Discover more about how diet and lifestyle can help lower blood pressure.
3. May help you sleep better
Magnesium is needed for normal sleep regulation, so consuming pumpkin seeds, which are a good source of magnesium, may help improve sleep.
Discover more about how to get a good night’s sleep.
4. Heart healthy
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of unsaturated fats, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). There has been good evidence that eating pumpkin seeds, because of their ALA content, could well be beneficial for the heart and the prevention of cardiovascular disease as part of a balanced diet.
A 2011 study also found that pumpkin seed oil helped to improve cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women.
Learn more about what to eat for a healthy heart.
5. Antioxidant-rich
While there are no single ‘superfoods’ that can prevent cancer, and certain risk factors for cancer are unrelated to diet, there is evidence that eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of cancer. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of antioxidants, which can help to scavenge the ‘free radicals’ that can damage cells. One study in particular found that pumpkin seeds were associated with a significantly reduced breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women compared to no consumption, and a second study showed that they may also help protect pre-menopausal women, too.
6. May benefit bladder health
Studies have found that pumpkin seed oil, taken from pumpkin seeds, may have the potential to prevent or treat urinary disorders, however further research is still required to confirm these findings.
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