Why you should be obsessed with pumpkin Seeds

As wellness becomes trendy, many people try to maximise their health by loading up on supplements and pills. However, the best place to find nutrition is from the source, and our current obsession is pumpkin seeds, the tiny but mighty seed that packs a serious punch. In just a handful, you’ll find vitamins E, K, and the B group, as well as a generous amount of protein and fibre. They can help fight tapeworms and other parasites and boost your health in a multitude of ways, both physically and mentally. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also delicious and the perfect snack to take on-the-go.

Healthy Sleep

Magnesium will help with sleep, but pumpkin seeds are also a great source of tryptophan. Sound familiar? It’s the amino acid in turkey that’s known for causing food comas after a big meal but, more importantly, is converted into serotonin and melatonin. Responsible for regulating your mood and monitoring your sleep-wake cycles respectively, these neurotransmitters can help reduce anxiety and insomnia.

Beauty, Inside and Out

Zinc is another jack-of-all trades: it aids immunity, cell growth, sleep, energy, your skin, and insulin regulation, among a multitude of other functions. Without it, you run the risk of encountering illnesses like common colds, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression, and acne, but luckily, pumpkin seeds have your back. With 2mg of zinc per one ounce of pumpkin seeds, you’ll feel stronger, your skin will be clearer, and your hair will be thicker.

Magic Magnesium

Magnesium is finally getting the attention it deserves — luckily, as it’s a crucial mineral that most people aren’t getting sufficient amounts of in their diet. It governs proper muscle function, metabolism, the digestive system, bone growth, energy, and even mood, meaning that eating pumpkin seeds can literally make you happier. 100mg is the suggested daily amount (reach this and you’ll have better bone density, a healthier heart, and lowered anxiety), and just an ounce of pumpkin seeds packs 74mg. Not too shabby.

Take a Seat, Blueberries

While vibrant fruits like blueberries and acai are often known for their high levels of antioxidants, pumpkin seeds are similarly loaded with carotenoids and vitamin E. These can help reduce inflammation and protect against free radicals, in turn preventing a host of different diseases.

Goodbye, High Cholesterol

The combination of all these minerals and good fatty acids act as extra protection for your heart. They’re also rich in phytosterols, which help scrub out your arteries and get rid of LDL cholesterol, or the stuff that increases your risk of heart attack and stroke and what you really don’t want hanging around.

Not sure where to get your fix? Try tossing them through a salad or add our popular Ruby Sunrise Chia Pudding to your next Soulara order, sprinkled with coconut, cacao nibs and pumpkin seeds.

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