Nov 04, 2024
While antioxidant nutrients are found in most WHFoods, it's the diversity of antioxidants in pumpkin seeds that makes them unique in their antioxidant support. Pumpkin seeds contain conventional antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E. However, not only do they contain vitamin E, but they contain it in a wide variety of forms. Alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocomonoenol and gamma-tocomonoenol are all forms of vitamin E found in pumpkin seeds. These last two forms have only recently been discovered, and they are a topic of special interest in vitamin E research, since their bioavailability might be greater than some of the other vitamin E forms. Pumpkin seeds also contain conventional mineral antioxidants like zinc and manganese. Phenolic antioxidants are found in pumpkin seeds in a wide variety of forms, including the phenolic acids hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, protocatechuic, vanillic, and syringic acid. Antioxidant phytonutrients like lignans are also found in pumpkin seeds, including the lignans pinoresinol, medioresinol, and lariciresinol.
Interestingly, this diverse mixture of antioxidants in pumpkin seeds may provide them with antioxidant-related properties that are not widely found in food. For example, the pro-oxidant enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) is known to be inhibited by pumpkin seed extracts, but not due to the presence of any single family of antioxidant nutrients (for example, the phenolic acids described earlier). Instead, the unique diversity of antioxidants in pumpkin seeds is most likely responsible for this effect.
Plants that have a close relationship to the soil are often special sources of mineral nutrients, and pumpkin (and their seeds) are no exception. Our food rating process found pumpkin seeds to be a very good source of the minerals phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and copper and a good source of the minerals zinc and iron.
Pumpkin seeds have long been valued as a special source of the mineral zinc, and the World Health Organization recommends their consumption as a good way of obtaining this nutrient. To get full zinc benefits from your pumpkin seeds, you may want to consume them in unshelled form. Although recent studies have shown there to be little zinc in the shell itself (the shell is also called the seed coat or husk), there is a very thin layer directly beneath the shell called the endosperm envelope, and it is often pressed up very tightly against the seed coat. Zinc is especially concentrated in this endosperm envelope. Because it can be tricky to separate the endosperm envelope from the shell, eating the entire pumpkin seed—shell and all—will ensure that all zinc-containing portions of the seed get consumed. Whole roasted, unshelled pumpkin seeds contain about 10 milligrams of zinc per 3.5 ounces, and shelled roasted pumpkin seeds (sometimes called pumpkin seed kernels) contain about 7-8 milligrams. So even though the difference is not huge, and even though the kernels still remain a good source of zinc, the unshelled version of this food is going to provide you with the best mineral support with respect to zinc.
Most of the evidence we've seen about pumpkin seeds and prevention or treatment of diabetes has come from animal studies. For this reason, we consider research in this area to be preliminary. However, recent studies on laboratory animals have shown the ability of ground pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extracts, and pumpkin seed oil to improve insulin regulation in diabetic animals and to prevent some unwanted consequences of diabetes on kidney function. Decrease in oxidative stress has played a key role in many studies that show benefits of pumpkin seeds for diabetic animals.
Pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extracts, and pumpkin seed oil have long been valued for their anti-microbial benefits, including their anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Research points to the role of unique proteins in pumpkin seeds as the source of many antimicrobial benefits. The lignans in pumpkin seeds (including pinoresinol, medioresinol, and lariciresinol) have also been shown to have antimicrobial—and especially anti-viral— properties. Impact of pumpkin seed proteins and pumpkin seed phytonutrients like lignans on the activity of a messaging molecule called interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is likely to be involved in the antimicrobial benefits associated with this food.
Because oxidative stress is known to play a role in the development of some cancers, and pumpkin seeds are unique in their composition of antioxidant nutrients, it's not surprising to find some preliminary evidence of decreased cancer risk in association with pumpkin seed intake. However, the antioxidant content of pumpkin seeds has not been the focus of preliminary research in this cancer area. Instead, the research has focused on lignans. Only breast cancer and prostate cancer seem to have received much attention in the research world in connection with pumpkin seed intake, and much of that attention has been limited to the lignan content of pumpkin seeds. To some extent, this same focus on lignans has occurred in research on prostate cancer as well. For these reasons, we cannot describe the cancer-related benefits of pumpkin seeds as being well-documented in the research, even though pumpkin seeds may eventually be shown to have important health benefits in this area.
Pumpkin seed extracts and oils have long been used in treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a health problem involving non-cancer enlargement of the prostate gland, and it commonly affects middle-aged and older men in the U.S. Studies have linked different nutrients in pumpkin seeds to their beneficial effects on BPH, including their phytosterols, lignans, and zinc. Among these groups, research on phytosterols is the strongest, and it centers on three phytosterols found in pumpkin seeds: beta-sitosterol, sitostanol, and avenasterol. The phytosterols campesterol, stigmasterol, and campestanol have also been found in pumpkin seeds in some studies. Unfortunately, studies on BPH have typically involved extracts or oils rather than pumpkin seeds themselves. For this reason, it's just not possible to tell whether everyday intake of pumpkin seeds in food form has a beneficial impact on BPH. Equally impossible to determine is whether intake of pumpkin seeds in food form can lower a man's risk of BPH. We look forward to future studies that will hopefully provide us with answers to those questions.
Pumpkin seeds—also known as pepitas—are flat, dark green seeds. Some are encased in a yellow-white husk (often called the "shell"), although some varieties of pumpkins produce seeds without shells. Pumpkin seeds have a malleable, chewy texture and a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. While roasted pumpkins seeds are probably best known for their role as a perennial Halloween treat, these seeds are so delicious, and nutritious, that they can be enjoyed throughout the year. In many food markets, pepitas are available in all of the forms described above—raw and shelled, raw and unshelled, roasted and shelled, roasted and unshelled.
Like cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins and pumpkin seeds belong to the gourd or Cucurbitaceae family. Within this family, the genus Cucurbitacontains all of the pumpkins (and their seeds). The most common species of pumpkin used as a source of pumpkin seeds are Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita mixta.
Pumpkins, and their seeds, are native to the Americas, and indigenous species are found across North America, South America, and Central America. The word "pepita" is consistent with this heritage, since it comes from Mexico, where the Spanish phrase "pepita de calabaza" means "little seed of squash."
Pumpkin seeds were a celebrated food among many Native American tribes, who treasured them both for their dietary and medicinal properties. In South America, the popularity of pumpkin seeds has been traced at least as far back as the Aztec cultures of 1300-1500 AD. From the Americas, the popularity of pumpkin seeds spread to the rest of the globe through trade and exploration over many centuries. In parts of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean (especially Greece), pumpkin seeds became a standard part of everyday cuisine, and culinary and medical traditions in India and other parts of Asia also incorporated this food into a place of importance.
Today, China produces more pumpkins and pumpkin seeds than any other country. India, Russia, the Ukraine, Mexico, and the U.S. are also major producers of pumpkin and pumpkin seeds. In the U.S., Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York. However, pumpkins are now grown commercially in virtually all U.S. states, and over 100,000 acres of U.S. farmland are planted with pumpkins.
Pumpkin seeds are generally available in prepackaged containers as well as bulk bins. Just as with any other food that you may purchase in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the pumpkin seeds are covered and that the store has a good product turnover so as to ensure the seeds' maximal freshness. Whether purchasing pumpkin seeds in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure that there is no evidence of moisture or insect damage and that they are not shriveled. If it is possible to smell the pumpkin seeds, do so in order to ensure that they are not rancid or musty.
We recommend that you purchase certified organic raw pumpkin seeds and then light-roast them yourself (see next section on how to do so). By purchasing organic, you will avoid unnecessary exposure to potential contaminants. By purchasing raw, you will be able to control the roasting time and temperature, and avoid unnecessary damage to helpful fats present in the seeds. At the same time, you will be able to bring out the full flavors of the pumpkin seeds through roasting.
Pumpkin seeds should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While they may stay edible for several months, they seem to lose their peak freshness after about one to two months.
While most stores sell pumpkin seeds, it is fun and easy to make your own. To do so, first remove the seeds from the pumpkin's inner cavity and wipe them off with a paper towel if needed to remove excess pulp that may have stuck to them. Spread them out evenly on a paper bag and let them dry out overnight.
You can, of course, purchase pumpkin seeds in the store. We would recommend purchasing organic raw pumpkin seeds and then light-roast them yourself.
Place the seeds (whether those you retrieved from the pumpkin or those you bought at the store) in a single layer on a cookie sheet and light roast them in a 160-170°F (about 75°C) oven for 15-20 minutes. This 20-minute roasting limit is important. In a recent study, 20 minutes emerged as a threshold hold time for changes in pumpkin seed fats. When roasted for longer than 20 minutes, a number of unwanted changes in fat structure of pumpkin seeds have been observed by food researchers. Roasting for no longer than 20 minutes will help you avoid these unwanted changes.
Interestingly, studies have shown that roasting temperatures of 194°F (90°C) or higher are often required to bring out the full nut-like aromas and flavors in pumpkin seeds. While we do not question this finding, we believe that the unsaturated fats in pumpkin seeds will be better preserved by roasting at this lower temperature—160-170°F (about 75°C)—and that you will still be delighted by the aromas and flavors of the roasted seeds.
Pumpkin seeds contain a wide variety of antioxidant phytonutrients, including the phenolic acids hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, protocatechuic, vanillic and syringic acid; and the lignans pinoresinol, medioresinol and lariciresinol. Pumpkins seeds also contain health-supportive phytosterols, including beta-sitosterol, sitostanol and avenasterol. Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and copper. They are also a good source of other minerals including zinc and iron. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein.
Pumpkin Seeds, dried, shelled
0.25 cup 32.25 grams
Calories: 180
GI: low |
||||
Nutrient | Amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Nutrient Density |
World's Healthiest Foods Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
manganese | 1.47 mg | 74 | 7.3 | very good |
phosphorus | 397.64 mg | 57 | 5.7 | very good |
copper | 0.43 mg | 48 | 4.8 | very good |
magnesium | 190.92 mg | 48 | 4.8 | very good |
zinc | 2.52 mg | 23 | 2.3 | good |
protein | 9.75 g | 20 | 1.9 | good |
iron | 2.84 mg | 16 | 1.6 | good |
World's Healthiest Foods Rating |
Rule |
---|---|
excellent |
DRI/DV>=75% OR Density>=7.6 AND DRI/DV>=10% |
very good |
DRI/DV>=50% OR Density>=3.4 AND DRI/DV>=5% |
good |
DRI/DV>=25% OR Density>=1.5 AND DRI/DV>=2.5% |
Pumpkin Seeds, dried, shelled (Note: "--" indicates data unavailable) |
||
0.25 cup (32.25 g) |
GI: low | |
BASIC MACRONUTRIENTS AND CALORIES | ||
---|---|---|
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Protein | 9.75 g | 20 |
Carbohydrates | 3.45 g | 2 |
Fat - total | 15.82 g | -- |
Dietary Fiber | 1.94 g | 8 |
Calories | 180.28 | 10 |
MACRONUTRIENT AND CALORIE DETAIL | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Carbohydrate: | ||
Starch | -- g | |
Total Sugars | 0.45 g | |
Monosaccharides | 0.09 g | |
Fructose | 0.05 g | |
Glucose | 0.04 g | |
Galactose | 0.00 g | |
Disaccharides | 0.36 g | |
Lactose | 0.00 g | |
Maltose | 0.00 g | |
Sucrose | 0.36 g | |
Soluble Fiber | 0.27 g | |
Insoluble Fiber | 1.66 g | |
Other Carbohydrates | 1.07 g | |
Fat: | ||
Monounsaturated Fat | 5.24 g | |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.76 g | |
Saturated Fat | 2.79 g | |
Trans Fat | 0.02 g | |
Calories from Fat | 142.37 | |
Calories from Saturated Fat | 25.13 | |
Calories from Trans Fat | 0.19 | |
Cholesterol | 0.00 mg | |
Water | 1.69 g | |
MICRONUTRIENTS | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Vitamins | ||
Water-Soluble Vitamins | ||
B-Complex Vitamins | ||
Vitamin B1 | 0.09 mg | 8 |
Vitamin B2 | 0.05 mg | 4 |
Vitamin B3 | 1.61 mg | 10 |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin Equivalents) | 4.41 mg | |
Vitamin B6 | 0.05 mg | 3 |
Vitamin B12 | 0.00 mcg | 0 |
Biotin | -- mcg | -- |
Choline | 20.32 mg | 5 |
Folate | 18.70 mcg | 5 |
Folate (DFE) | 18.70 mcg | |
Folate (food) | 18.70 mcg | |
Pantothenic Acid | 0.24 mg | 5 |
Vitamin C | 0.61 mg | 1 |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins | ||
Vitamin A (Retinoids and Carotenoids) | ||
Vitamin A International Units (IU) | 5.16 IU | |
Vitamin A mcg Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) | 0.26 mcg (RAE) | 0 |
Vitamin A mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE) | 0.52 mcg (RE) | |
Retinol mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE) | 0.00 mcg (RE) | |
Carotenoid mcg Retinol Equivalents (RE) | 0.52 mcg (RE) | |
Alpha-Carotene | 0.32 mcg | |
Beta-Carotene | 2.90 mcg | |
Beta-Carotene Equivalents | 3.22 mcg | |
Cryptoxanthin | 0.32 mcg | |
Lutein and Zeaxanthin | 23.86 mcg | |
Lycopene | 0.00 mcg | |
Vitamin D | ||
Vitamin D International Units (IU) | 0.00 IU | 0 |
Vitamin D mcg | 0.00 mcg | |
Vitamin E | ||
Vitamin E mg Alpha-Tocopherol Equivalents (ATE) | 0.70 mg (ATE) | 5 |
Vitamin E International Units (IU) | 1.05 IU | |
Vitamin E mg | 0.70 mg | |
Vitamin K | 2.35 mcg | 3 |
Minerals | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Boron | -- mcg | |
Calcium | 14.84 mg | 1 |
Chloride | -- mg | |
Chromium | -- mcg | -- |
Copper | 0.43 mg | 48 |
Fluoride | -- mg | -- |
Iodine | -- mcg | -- |
Iron | 2.84 mg | 16 |
Magnesium | 190.92 mg | 48 |
Manganese | 1.47 mg | 74 |
Molybdenum | -- mcg | -- |
Phosphorus | 397.64 mg | 57 |
Potassium | 260.90 mg | 7 |
Selenium | 3.03 mcg | 6 |
Sodium | 2.26 mg | 0 |
Zinc | 2.52 mg | 23 |
INDIVIDUAL FATTY ACIDS | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.04 g | 2 |
Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 6.72 g | |
Monounsaturated Fats | ||
14:1 Myristoleic | 0.00 g | |
15:1 Pentadecenoic | 0.00 g | |
16:1 Palmitol | 0.02 g | |
17:1 Heptadecenoic | 0.00 g | |
18:1 Oleic | 5.20 g | |
20:1 Eicosenoic | 0.02 g | |
22:1 Erucic | 0.00 g | |
24:1 Nervonic | 0.00 g | |
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids | ||
18:2 Linoleic | 6.68 g | |
18:2 Conjugated Linoleic (CLA) | -- g | |
18:3 Linolenic | 0.04 g | |
18:4 Stearidonic | -- g | |
20:3 Eicosatrienoic | -- g | |
20:4 Arachidonic | 0.04 g | |
20:5 Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) | -- g | |
22:5 Docosapentaenoic (DPA) | -- g | |
22:6 Docosahexaenoic (DHA) | -- g | |
Saturated Fatty Acids | ||
4:0 Butyric | 0.00 g | |
6:0 Caproic | 0.00 g | |
8:0 Caprylic | 0.00 g | |
10:0 Capric | 0.00 g | |
12:0 Lauric | 0.00 g | |
14:0 Myristic | 0.02 g | |
15:0 Pentadecanoic | 0.00 g | |
16:0 Palmitic | 1.73 g | |
17:0 Margaric | 0.01 g | |
18:0 Stearic | 0.93 g | |
20:0 Arachidic | 0.07 g | |
22:0 Behenate | 0.02 g | |
24:0 Lignoceric | 0.01 g | |
INDIVIDUAL AMINO ACIDS | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Alanine | 0.43 g | |
Arginine | 1.56 g | |
Aspartic Acid | 0.86 g | |
Cysteine | 0.10 g | |
Glutamic Acid | 1.80 g | |
Glycine | 0.54 g | |
Histidine | 0.23 g | |
Isoleucine | 0.37 g | |
Leucine | 0.71 g | |
Lysine | 0.36 g | |
Methionine | 0.18 g | |
Phenylalanine | 0.51 g | |
Proline | 0.38 g | |
Serine | 0.49 g | |
Threonine | 0.29 g | |
Tryptophan | 0.17 g | |
Tyrosine | 0.32 g | |
Valine | 0.46 g | |
OTHER COMPONENTS | ||
nutrient | amount |
DRI/DV (%) |
Ash | 1.54 g | |
Organic Acids (Total) | -- g | |
Acetic Acid | -- g | |
Citric Acid | -- g | |
Lactic Acid | -- g | |
Malic Acid | -- g | |
Taurine | -- g | |
Sugar Alcohols (Total) | -- g | |
Glycerol | -- g | |
Inositol | -- g | |
Mannitol | -- g | |
Sorbitol | -- g | |
Xylitol | -- g | |
Artificial Sweeteners (Total) | -- mg | |
Aspartame | -- mg | |
Saccharin | -- mg | |
Alcohol | 0.00 g | |
Caffeine | 0.00 mg | |
Note:The nutrient profiles provided in this website are derived from The Food Processor, Version 10.12.0, ESHA Research, Salem, Oregon, USA. Among the 50,000+ food items in the master database and 163 nutritional components per item, specific nutrient values were frequently missing from any particular food item. We chose the designation "--" to represent those nutrients for which no value was included in this version of the database. |
We are dedicated food ingredients manufacturer of seeds, nuts & dried fruits etc. specialized on pumpkin kernels. Our products majorly supplied to bakery & cereal industry, into supermarket in retail package, in the formats of snacks or traditional Chinese medicine for health care. Throughout the years, we now have three of our own registered brands. Our Products exports North Europe, West Europe, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan etc. regions. Over the years, we have established and maintained a steady supplier-customer relationship with tens of internationally recognized Food enterprises. In 2003, we had registered our independent sales office with warehouse in Hamburg. Our US office was established in New Jersey USA in 2016. Sunshine UK Produce Limited started up in London England in 2022.