The Properties of pumpkin seeds For health are numerous: improves the health of the prostate, improves memory and sleep, prevents cancer and cardiovascular diseases, are abundant in antioxidants and others that I will explain below.
Also called as a pumpkin seed, and as its name implies, this edible is born from the inside of the pumpkin.
Classified as dry fruit, this type of pipe adopts different types of names. Along with its more widespread name, others are added as they are"seeds of pepitoria"or directly,"nuggets".
As for its flavor, we should note that it hardly produces flavor on our palate, showing a slight sweet sensation. Its texture is found between soft and crispy.
In addition, we can affirm that it is one of the most positive seeds for our organism, with many beneficial nutrients and of which we will speak a little later.
Properties for the health of the pumpkin pipe
1- Protection from the"solitary"
The current ingestion of this type of seeds causes our organism to prepare for the defense and prevention of several parasites, among which the Solitary . This species of worm usually causes digestive problems, although rarely of serious way.
It is advised that, to eliminate this parasite, a total of 50 grams of seeds are crushed and mixed with sugar or honey together with a little water. This should be eaten as the only meal of the day, divided between three moments: breakfast, snack and dinner.
2 - Protein inputs
Pumpkin seeds are treated as one of the foods with the highest amounts of protein. For each 100 grams that we take of these pipes, we are contributing to our organism half of the proteins necessary to carry out our day to day.
According to the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, a cup of pumpkin seeds gives us a total of 11.87 grams of protein.
For this reason, the use of this type of food can be translated as an excellent alternative to red meat, rich in proteins but in turn in other nutrients less beneficial.
3- Prevention of diabetic disease
Its stimulating function of the pancreas makes it possible to be included in foods that help Regulate different blood sugar levels (glucose). Therefore, these types of pipes work as a perfect food for people who suffer from diabetes.
4 - Improve the health of the prostate
Research has shown that pumpkin seeds act as a booster against prostate diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia .
This occurs thanks to a compound that we can find inside called Phytosterols . Other studies suggest that several of its chemicals Testosterone Is converted into dihydrotestosterone, which helps to further optimize the results.
5- Urinary anti-inflammatory
When we decide to use pumpkin pipes, a reaction results in our bladder. This reduces and deflates so that it comes to relaxation easily.
Pumkin pipes are indicated as a disinfectant in cases of suffering cystitis Or other related infections, in addition to incontinence or even bladder peeling and irritation of the same nature.
6- Fight against stress and depression
According to a study published by the journal Shape , It has been concluded that L-tryptophan, a component found in pumpkin seeds, makes our levels of happiness increase, thus fighting against the stress and the depression .
7- Improve sleep levels
The reputed newspaper The Times of India Has pointed out that with the intake of this food, and again thanks to L-tryptophan, we can sleep a little better every night.
In the same article, it is recommended to take a handful of pumpkin tubs just before bedtime to achieve the somniferous effect in the medium to long term.
8- Improve memory
Pumkin pipes, along with other nuts such as almonds or walnuts, are included within the Foods that help improve the ability to memorize .
If you are studying or need to exercise your memory for whatever reason, do not hesitate to nourish yourself with this food.
9- Abundant in antioxidants
Pumpkin seeds are characterized by the amount of antioxidants they contain. Some of them are the Lignans As the Pinoresinol , Medioresinol and Lariciresinol .
The creation in multitude of these antioxidants is due to vitamin E.
10- Prevention of cancer
It has been proven that pumpkin intake prevents different types of tumors. What is the reason for this benefit?
Mainly thanks to the Hormone DHEA , Which fights cancer and helps us prevent it in a much more effective and accurate.
11- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Pipes are excellent fighters against different cardiovascular diseases. Largely Due to its great quantity of unsaturated fatty acids that, together with the antioxidants mentioned above, contribute this benefit to the important organism.
12- Eliminate pulmonary mucus
To conclude, it should be noted that this healthy food stands out as a mucus eliminator within the lungs.
This mucus is treated a thick liquid very useful to eliminate bacteria, but that if produced in excess can cause problems in our respiratory system.
Pumpkin seeds around the world
The use of this seed is spread all over the world, but the places where it is most consumed are Europe and America.
In the old continent, specifically in the central and eastern areas, its typical use as a cooking oil is characteristic.
A striking case is that of Greece, where they are consumed in the old style without peeling and toast. This is a great addition to your meals.
The traditional formula in Mexico is based on frying first and then toasting them.
In the United States its use is very popular during the Fall months, being the season of this food.
Composition
While we have listed the benefits of Pumpkin Pipe, we have compiled some of its main components. In this section we will specify a bit more so that you can better analyze the information given above.
On the one hand, it is composed between 25-30% of proteins, emphasizing cucurbitin. Eating about 100 grams of seeds a day, makes up a total of 54% of the protein intake our body needs to gather the necessary nutrients.
On the other hand, lipids also often present high percentages in the pumpkin pipe, sometimes exceeding 35%.
In addition, we find different impregnated vitamins, such as C, or E in the form of tocopherols, in addition to minerals such as selenium, manganese, zinc or copper.
The oil also becomes an essential liquid, since in some cases it can usually make up to 35% of the composition of the pipe (increasing this amount in its germ).
Likewise, we can find other types of substances like riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic and folic acids, as well as sodium and potassium.
With regard to this last substance, it should be added that the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences recommends a consumption of 4.7000 milligrams of potassium a day in adults, something that can be helped to complement thanks to the pumpkin pipe, which Contributes a total of 588 milligrams for each cup ingested.
Its unsaturated fat content is around 9 and 21%, while the total fat percentage varies from 11 to 52%.
Preparation of the pumpkin pipe
Now, how do you prepare the pumpkin pipe?
First, we must extract from the pumpkin this seed in order to work with it. In turn, we should soak them in a pan overpowered by salt for a few hours.
After this, we can begin to toast them in a frying pan, so that we add a pinch of salt to give a"regustillo". It should be noted that, at certain times, a kind of mole is commonly used in this step, which is commonly known as"pepián"or"pipián".
To finish, and as a last step, we will put them to rest to leave them ready and ready to serve.
Three simple and healthy recipes
Salad from cabbage, beet and pumpkin seeds
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cabbage
- 1 beet
- 50 g of pumpkin seeds
- Extra virgin olive oil
- vinegar
- Salt
Preparation: First wash the cabbage leaves of the ones that you have arranged to chop them in Julian form.
After this, place the beet in a pot filled with water to cook it covered for about 6 minutes. When it is ready, dice it in small dice and add it to the cabbage already cut in a bowl.
Finally give the finishing touch with some pumpkin pipes, which you have to roast in a frying pan. When we have performed this simple process, it will only serve immediately to eat.
Quail with mojo of pumpkin kiwis and roasted figs
Ingredients:
- 2 quails
- 4 figs
- 1 scallion
- 250 ml chicken broth
- olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- For the mojo:
- 4 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 7-8 pickled chillies
- 1 slice of fried bread
- 50 ml chicken broth
- Water
- vinegar
- parsley
Preparation: This realization consists of a little more agility in the kitchen, but equally is a simple recipe.
We will begin by cleaning and halving the quails. We will use their livers to introduce them in a small casserole next to salt, pepper, rosemary, onion and chicken stock. This will leave the paste in 15-20 minutes of preparation.
We will also work with the figs, which will also split them in half and place in a fountain along with the meat. Then bake for 8 minutes on the grill with oil, salt and pepper.
The mojo sauce will be made in a blender combining it with chicken broth, vinegar, pipes, chillies, fried bread, water and parsley.
Finish by smearing the quail in the mojo and sautéing them to serve on the plate. We will water them of sauce accompanied by the figs and a little more of mojo according to like.
Salad of watercress and pumpkin seeds
Ingredients:
- 125 g of watercress
- 100 g cheese burgos
- 15 g of pumpkin seeds
- 15 g of sunflower seeds
- 25 g raisins
- Extra virgin olive oil
- vinegar
- Salt
Preparation: Without a doubt, one of the richest and simplest recipes we can find with this type of ingredients.
From the outset, we must carefully wash the watercress to place them dry in a bowl. Now, we take the burgos cheese cut in small dice next to the raisins and the pipes.
After mixing all these ingredients you will only have to add the salt oil dressing and vinegar to finish the dish.