Five reasons to eat pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds have been touted as a necessity in men’s reproductive health.

“Since pumpkin seeds have a high concentration of zinc, we prescribe them for men who have low sexual libido and sperm count,” says nutritionist Usha Panji.

 

Leila Safari, a nutritionist, says: “Zinc, together with compounds delta-7-sterine and phytosterol beta-sitosterol, inhibit the damaging effects of dihydrotestosterone, which causes prostate cell multiplication.”

 

Pumpkin seeds are good for insomniacs. “Pumpkin seeds have high quantities of L-tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid,” says Panji.

 

“The L-tryptophan is converted into serotonin and melatonin, which are responsible for sleep and also for relaxing the mind and cheerfulness,” she adds.

 

“Zinc is also important for cell-mediated immunity,” says Peter Rukundo, a lecturer in human nutrition and home economics at Kyambogo University.

 

Cell-mediated immunity boosts production of CD4 cells, which are white blood cell that fight infection, and lymphocytes that play a large role in defending the body against diseases. He adds that the zinc is also vital for brain development, thus good for children.

 

The delta-7-sterine nutrient found in pumpkin seeds may also prevent hair loss in both men and women. 

“Balding in men is associated with excessive levels of dihydrotestosterone in their system, yet the delta-7-sterine are known to fight it,” says Safari.  

 

Rukundo says zinc is core for people who have diabetes. “The zinc in the seeds helps insulin to work effectively. “