Pumpkin seeds are a popular snack food and ingredient in some dishes. They’re high in fiber, protein, and zinc, which are all good things for your diet.
Benefits
- Pumpkin seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. This may explain why pumpkin seeds are said to be calming and relaxing.
- Hemorrhoids. The high fiber content of pumpkin seeds may help prevent hemorrhoids by increasing stool bulk.
- Pumpkin seed oil is used as a cooking oil and in many beauty products because it has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with acne breakouts by reducing inflammation in the skin.
Negative side effects
- Pumpkin seeds are a nutritious food, but they can have some side effects. The most common side effect is gas, which can cause bloating, flatulence and stomach cramps. The gas occurs when the pumpkin seeds pass through your digestive system, but as long as you don’t eat too many, it shouldn’t be a problem.
- Other possible pumpkin seed side effects include allergic reactions and diarrhea. If you experience any unusual symptoms after eating pumpkin seeds or notice anything else unusual about them, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before eating more to make sure they’re safe for you to take.
- Seedy breath. The oils from pumpkin seeds are aromatic and can linger on your breath. If you don’t like the smell of them, you may find yourself avoiding them even if they’re healthy for you.\
- Pumpkin seeds are high in iron, but they also contain phytates, which can inhibit iron absorption. This can lead to anemia if you aren’t careful about eating them with foods that contain vitamin C and other iron-rich foods.
- Like many other nuts and seeds, pumpkin seeds are often associated with allergic reactions like itching or swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue; difficulty swallowing; hives; and skin rashes.
