Pumpkin-Seeds Benefits
Pumpkin seeds are not one of the most popular seeds on the market. Most people only think of them when they are carving a pumpkin at Halloween and have to scoop them out of the pumpkin. The seeds of the pumpkin have many health benefits, however, that many people don't realize.
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Protects the Prostate
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Pumpkin seeds have been shown to promote prostate health. A benign prostatic hypertrophy occurs when the prostate becomes enlarged. This can lead to frequent urination. The oil found in the pumpkin seeds can interrupt the triggering of the prostate gland, allowing it to remain its normal size. It's unclear how many pumpkin seeds you must eat each day in order for this to occur.
Bone Density
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As men and women get older, their bones tend to lose density, leading to a higher rate of breaks and fractures. The safe, high levels of zinc found in pumpkin seeds are a natural way to maintain bone density. Osteoporosis, while it may still occur, will progress at a much slower rate than for someone who is not increasing her levels of zinc. Pumpkin seeds are a natural way to ingest this mineral.
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Anti-inflamatory
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Arthritis can affect both older and younger people. When it happens, anti-inflammatory drugs are often taken to ease the pain of swelling joints. Pumpkin seeds have been found to provide the same anti-inflammatory effect as drugs such as indomethacin, without all the negative side effects.
Lower Cholesterol
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Pumpkin seeds are a natural way of lowering bad cholesterol. Phytosterols, which are found in pumpkin seeds, tend to reduce cholesterol levels when ingested at a steady rate daily over a long period of time. Instead of eating artificial substances that promise to lower cholesterol, it can be more healthy and beneficial to eat a natural snack such as pumpkin seeds.
Fights Cancer
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These same phytosterols that lower cholesterol also enhance the immune system and its response time, as well as fighting certain cancers. The pumpkin itself has been linked to fighting breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. The seeds have been shown to fight prostate cancer, much like they promote prostate health. Breast cancer can be caused by estrogen found in the body; pumpkin seeds can help to block the harmful effects of estrogen.
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