2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds a day will make you happy and healthy

We’d like to call pumpkin seeds a superfood, even though the term is just a commercial trick. Pepitas (the other name for pumpkin seeds) are one of the healthiest foods in the world. The only “side effect” of eating too many pumpkin seeds (really, looooots of them) at one sitting may cause digestive problems due to high contents of fiber. If it’s the case, don’t go far from the washroom.

Pumpkin seeds are the nutritional treasure chest

Dried or roasted pumpkin seeds are 2% water, 49% fat, 15% carbohydrates, and 30% protein. The seeds are calorie-dense food (574 kcal) and a rich source (20% of the Daily Value, DV, or higher) of protein, dietary fiber, niacin, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. Pumpkin seeds are a moderate source (10–19% DV) of riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid, sodium, and potassium. Major fatty acids in pumpkin seeds are linoleic acid and oleic acid, with palmitic acid and stearic acid in lesser amounts.

Why pumpkin seeds will make you happy and healthy?

We can write a 20-page article about health benefits of pumpkin seeds but to make your life a little bit easier we’ll describe the benefits of only 4 magnificent nutrients:

1. amino acid tryptophan
2. amino acid arginine
3. zinc

Tryptophan to boost serotonin

Serotonin is a well-known hormone of happiness. It is a main contributor to many biochemical and physiological functions, including sexual. Serotonin produces your happiness, and amino acid tryptophan produces serotonin.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and biochemical precursor for serotonin. It cannot be produced in our body and must be part of our daily diet. If you are in a good mood, you’ve got serotonin to thank; if not – you’ve got serotonin to blame. The major amount of serotonin exists in the intestine, and is governed by your state of hunger. Feel happier after lunch? That’s why.

Pumpkin seeds are the best source of tryptophan ever – 576mg of tryptophan per 100g (206% DV), or 161mg of tryptophan per ounce (28g) (58% DV).

The recommended daily intake for tryptophan is 4mg per kilogram of body weight (1.8mg per pound). So, a person weighing 70kg (about 154 pounds) should consume approximately 280mg of tryptophan per day.

Arginine to boost man’s romantic drive

Pumpkin seeds are one of the best aphrodisiac foods, the safest and most effective choice in men’s health care. It usually enhances many life functions besides the specific condition for which it is being taken. Arginine increases the levels of sperm motility. It is a common practice in India to make the bride and the groom drink a glass of milk each, boiled with raisins, which are also rich in arginine and a pinch of saffron on their wedding night.

Amino acid arginine boosts man’s romantic drive. Arginine is converted in the body into nitric oxide – NO. NO widens and relaxes arteries and blood vessels, improving blood flow in the organ in question. The arteries dilate causing it to fill with blood; simultaneously the other group of muscles compresses the veins restricting the egress and circulation of this blood.

Because the amino acid lysine uses the same transport system as arginine, arginine availability can potentially be affected by lysine. Pumpkin seeds have the best arginine to lysine ratio.

Do you know that famous pills attempt to accomplish exactly the same effect but in a chemical and unnatural way? They all have warnings about 4-hour erections and many other serious side effects. Maybe better not play games with your health?

Zinc for your overall health

Zinc supports normal growth and development for all ages because it is required for the function of over 300 enzymes, but it is especially important for the men’s health. Zinc helps improve sex drive working as natural aphrodisiac. About 2-4 grams of zinc are distributed throughout the human body: in the brain, muscle, bones, kidney, and liver, with the highest concentrations in the prostate.

The Daily Value (DV) for zinc is 15mg. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of this nutrient. A serving of 100g of pumpkin seeds provides 80% daily value of it, making pumpkin seeds one of the best sources of zinc.

Magnesium to reduce stress

A 100-gramm serving of pumpkin seeds provides 155% of magnesium daily value! One-quarter cup of them contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, which participates in a wide range of vitally important physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of your heart, proper bone and tooth formation, relaxation of your blood vessels, and proper bowel function. Yet, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an estimated 57% of Americans are deficient in this important mineral.

2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds a day

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a healthy daily serving is approximately 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds. If you eat too many of them, don’t go far from the washroom; it’s the only side effect of this “medication.”

Pumpkin seeds have been shown to improve heart health, blood sugar levels, fertility and sleep quality. They may even protect against certain types of cancer. In addition, their rich nutrient content may provide other health benefits, such as improved energy, mood and immune function.