Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Provide Many Health Benefits

Before you throw out all of those pumpkin seed as you scoop out the pulp from carving your jack-o-lantern this Halloween, you may want to read this. As it turns out, pumpkin seeds, for which many roasted pumpkin seed recipes abound, are actually filled with vitamins, minerals, and other health benefits including lower LDL cholesterol and treatement for depression.

Just looking at the basic nutrients, the list is impressive. According to health experts, pumpkin seeds are a wonderful source of vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, iron, and other vitamins. Pumpkin seeds are even a source of protein, and in fact, about a half a cup of the seeds actually contains over 90 percent of the recommended daily allowance of magnesium.

Other health benefits of eating pumpkin seeds include, lowering cholesterol, treating depression, prevention of osteoporosis and kidney stones, and they can act as a natural anti-inflammatory with no adverse side-effects of many drugs.

As an aid for treatment of depression, the seeds contain L-tryptophan which has been found to be a natural boost against the ailment. It is the zinc content of the pumpkin seeds which provides the assistance to ward off osteoporosis.

In some medical studies, the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones were reduced by the consumption of the seeds. And in what is perhaps one of the greatest benefits for virtually all individuals, the seeds contain the chemical compound phytosterols which is known to reduce the levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.