3 Main Reasons to Eat Pumpkin Seeds:
1) Healing Properties for Joint Health
Pumpkin seeds are very high in copper, an element that promotes join and bone flexibility. Studies have been completed indicating that adding pumpkin seeds to your diet help to reduce inflammatory conditions. This is extremely beneficial for people with arthritis but also for athletes or active people. The bonus, they do not have any adverse effect on the body as some non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs may have.
2) Support a Strong and Healthy Immune system
These seeds are loaded with zinc which helps to keep a strong and healthy immune system. Your immune system deserves a boost, so why not do it with food. A healthy immune system allows you to ward off illness, and better fight off colds.
3) Muscle Relaxant
That's right, these small little seeds contain over 45% of your daily requirement for magnesium. The more you are able to relax, the better your digestive system functions along with your nervous system.
These are not the only reasons for consuming pumpkin seeds. They are also high in iron (beneficial for energy), tryptophan (beneficial for promoting sleep), and manganese (to get rid of free radicals in the body)
Best ways to Eat Seeds
- toasted and eaten as a snack
- added to salad
- a topping on fish
- added to soup
When buying seeds, you want to buy "dry roasted", otherwise they may be cooked in unnecessary oils. You also want to check the label to make sure they contain no other junk. Sometimes they are made prepared using sugars and preservatives that turn these health promoting seeds into dis-ease promoting seeds. To ensure you get all the benefit you deserve, prepare them yourself.
Dry Roasted Pumpkin Treat
2 cups pumpkin seeds
sea salt (to taste)
braggs aminos (found at dominion or loblaws) ~ best if but in a spray bottle and sprayed on the seeds
Any Seasonings you like (cayenne is my fav)
Sprinkle and spray the seeds with your seasoning. Roast on 170F for 15-20 minutes.
Stay tuned for my next blog and delicious recipe for Pumpkin Spice Muffins! YUMMY:)
All the best in Health,
Deanne
Source: World's Healthiest Foods, George Mateljan,
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