Pumpkin seeds - are they really healthy? And do they have any side effects?

If leading a healthy lifestyle is second nature to you then eating pumpkin seeds would most probably be a part of your diet regime. If not, we’re quite sure you must have read about the health benefits of pumpkin seeds, on some health website.

We love them too! So much that we’ve added them as one of the essential seeds in all our Oats and Granola recipes.

So here goes, our list of why we love pumpkin seeds so much.

1. If you are one of those who look for antioxidant rich foods - Pumpkin seeds are perfect. They have great antioxidant potential due to the presence of Vitamin E and carotenoids. And these antioxidants in them protect our heart from various disorders.

2. Antioxidants also help with reducing the risk of gastric, breast and colorectal cancers. So eating pumpkin seeds regularly helps. Carotenoids in pumpkin seeds also prevented prostate cancer.

3. Worried about heart diseases? The magnesium in pumpkin seeds helps to lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels and triglycerides. This reduces the risk of heart diseases.

4. Fibre present in pumpkin seeds also reduces cholesterol levels, thus protecting our heart.

5. Pumpkin seeds are good for our immune system due to the presence of vitamin E and zinc. And Zinc protects our body from inflammation, allergies and pathogens, thus preventing infections and increasing our immunity. Zinc also improves fertility in men. It increases the levels of testosterone and also the quality and quantity of sperms.

6. This is surprising. Pumpkin seeds exhibit antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

7. Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium which helps to lower blood sugar levels. Which means, it is good for those with diabetes.

And now for some not so good effects of eating too much of Pumpkin seeds.

1. Eating pumpkin seeds in excess can cause stomach ache, flatulence, bloating and constipation.

2. Since they are loaded with calories, eating them in excess can make you gain weight.

3. People allergic to pumpkin seeds may show symptoms like headaches, itching, rashes, difficulty in breathing etc.