What are the benefits and effects of pumpkin seeds, and what is their nutritional value?

Generally speaking, pumpkin seeds, also known as pumpkin kernels, offer various health benefits and functions, primarily including promoting physical development, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, treating physical weakness, supporting prostate health, and expelling parasites. They are also rich in essential nutrients such as protein, fats, dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. A detailed explanation is as follows:

I. Health Benefits and Functions

1. Promoting Physical Development

Pumpkin seeds provide adrenal cortical hormone components and are rich in zinc, both of which are important substances for human growth and development, helping promote physical growth.

2. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects

Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and can be used to alleviate bodily pain, such as joint pain.

3. Treating Physical Weakness

Pumpkin seeds can be used to treat symptoms such as prolonged illness with physical weakness, spleen and stomach weakness, physical fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and mental exhaustion.

4. Supporting Prostate Health

For men, pumpkin seeds offer certain protective benefits for the prostate. This may be due to some components in pumpkin seeds, particularly their high zinc content. Zinc is one of the key minerals essential for maintaining prostate health. Studies have shown that healthy prostate tissue contains high levels of zinc, while individuals with prostate diseases often have lower zinc levels. Therefore, consuming pumpkin seeds to supplement zinc can help prevent prostate problems and is especially beneficial to men's health. It can also alleviate urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete bladder emptying, thus maintaining normal urinary system function in men.

5. Expelling Parasites

Pumpkin seeds are a natural anthelmintic agent, especially effective against tapeworms. The mechanism of action involves compounds such as cucurbitine in pumpkin seeds, which can paralyze the worms by inhibiting muscle contraction, allowing the worms to be expelled from the body through feces. In traditional medicine, pumpkin seeds are commonly used to treat tapeworm infections and are considered relatively safe due to their low toxicity.

II. Nutritional Value

1. Protein

Pumpkin seeds are a source of high-quality plant-based protein. These proteins contain various essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan, which are fundamental components of human cells and tissues and play important roles in physical development, metabolism, and immune function.

2. Fats

Pumpkin seeds are rich in healthy unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and oleic acid. These fatty acids help maintain cardiovascular health, regulate cholesterol levels, and support brain function.

3. Dietary Fiber

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps promote normal digestive system function, maintain intestinal health, and prevent constipation.

4. Minerals

Minerals found in pumpkin seeds include zinc, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Zinc is crucial for immune function, reproductive system development and function, and wound healing. Magnesium participates in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and is beneficial for heart health, strong bones, and muscle relaxation. Iron is a key component in hemoglobin synthesis and helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Manganese plays a role in bone development, blood sugar regulation, and antioxidant defense.

5. Antioxidants

Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, protect cells from oxidative stress damage, and aid in the prevention of chronic diseases.

Although pumpkin seeds are highly nutritious, excessive consumption may lead to excess calorie intake and weight gain. It is recommended to consume about 50–60 grams per day. To avoid excessive intake of food additives, it is advisable to choose plain, unflavored pumpkin seed products without added ingredients.