Views: 3 Author: Lucianna Huang Publish Time: 2024-10-16 Origin: Ann Hu
Pumpkin Seed Extract
1. What Are Pumpkin and Pumpkin Seed?
Pumpkins including Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima are gourd squashes which belong to the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbita maxima (Japanese name: kabocha) is indigenous to the plateaus of central and south America, but is cultivated throughout the World. Pumpkins were primarily used by native Americans for centuries and later adapted by European. Currently, the United States is the largest production center for pumpkins, followed by Mexico, India and China. Pumpkin is an important leaf and seed vegetable tropical vine of high traditional nutritional and medicinal values. Its fruits, flowers, and seeds have been consumed as vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants including A, C, and E.
The Extracts of the pumpkin ingredients (rind, flesh, seed oil and defatted seeds meal (DSM) possess various biological activities which can be characterized into antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic and antitumor activities.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and minerals. Possible benefits of eating pumpkin seeds include boosting bone health, sexual wellbeing, and the immune system.
2. Pumpkin Seeds Nutrition.
• Sugars: 0g
• Vitamin C: 0.085 mg
• Sodium: 5mg
• Carbohydrates: 15.2g
• Protein: 5.3g
• Calcium: 15.6mg
• Fiber: 5.2g
• Copper: 0.196mg
• Phosphorous: 26.1mg
• Fat: 5.5g
• Calories: 126
• Magnesium: 74.3mg
• Vitamin B-6: 0.01mg
• Zinc: 2.92mg
3. What are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seed?
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that may reduce your risk of getting chronic diseases, such as cancer.
Some potential health benefits include:
1) Anti-inflammatory effects
Pumpkin seeds are rich in many antioxidants, which protect your cells from disease-causing damage and reduce inflammation in your body. When they have their hulls, they’re also a great source of dietary fiber, which can boost this effect. Studies show that anti-inflammatory foods can help you prevent chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
2) Anti-cancer properties
Laboratory studies show that pumpkin seeds can stop the growth of breast and prostate cancer cells. They may also kill cancer cells by triggering them to apoptosis, or cancer cell death. Researchers think that the anti-cancer activity of pumpkin seeds may be due to the high antioxidant levels in the seeds. But more research is needed to see how pumpkin seeds work in people to stop cancer cells from growing or to kill cancer cells.
3) Improved prostate health
Several studies have shown that pumpkin seeds may help ease the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a condition where your prostate gland is swollen. This can cause it to press against your urethra and irritate your bladder. People with BPH may feel as if they have to pee all the time or they may be unable to completely empty their bladder.
But medicines that treat BPH, such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), can have side effects like sexual function disorders that may not go away even if you stop taking the medicine. One study from 2022 included 130 people assigned male at birth (AMAB). This study showed that 500 milligrams of pumpkin seed extract twice a day reduced lower urinary tract symptoms from BPH and improved overall quality of life. Yet, it didn't change the scores on a sexual health satisfaction questionnaire.
4) Ease the symptoms of overactive bladder
A couple of studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can improve the symptoms of overactive bladder. Overactive bladder makes you need to pee suddenly and often. Some people may need to get up from bed to pee several times at night. In one study, 45 people with overactive bladder took 10 grams of pumpkin seed oil per day for 12 weeks, and their symptoms improved on a questionnaire. In another study, 117 people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) took a combination of pumpkin seed oil, sumac bark, and hops extract for 12 weeks. The number of times they needed to pee decreased, both during the day and at night, and their quality of life significantly improved.
5) Healthy heart function
The high magnesium content in pumpkin seeds helps lower your blood pressure and keep it steady. Thanks to this effect, diets high in magnesium are linked to a lower risk of stroke and death from heart disease.
Studies show that the antioxidants in pumpkin seeds also increase nitric oxide levels in your body. This molecule works to keep your blood vessels smooth, flexible, and healthy, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of heart and circulation problems.
6) Better sleep
Snacking on pumpkin seeds before bed may help you get a better night’s rest. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. The zinc, copper, and selenium in pumpkin seeds can also affect sleep duration and quality. Finally, studies show that magnesium can help reduce stress and anxiety, contributors to insomnia.
7) Improved sperm count
A study in mice that had lost the ability to produce sperm due to treatment with a chemotherapy drug showed that pumpkin seeds helped restore their ability to make sperm. The mice ate 200 milligrams of pumpkin seed extract per kilogram of body weight every day for 40 days. Researchers think that the antioxidants in the seeds helped prevent some of the damage from the chemotherapy drug. These results are promising as a way to help people who take chemotherapy keep their fertility. But more research is needed to see if it will work this way in people.