Pumpkin Seeds for a Better sleep and a Brighter Day

Short Days and long nights getting you a bit down? Having a hard time getting to sleep at night? Throw some of these on your salad, in your smoothie, or nibble on them as a snack for a healthy pick-me up!

I don't know whether its Menopause (okay, its probably partially that), the time change, or the long winter nights, but I have been struggling with getting to sleep at night and being relaxed and chipper during the day. I remembered years ago a friend of mine who is a Holistic Nutritionist suggesting that I add Pumpkin Seeds or Pumpkin Oil into my diet so I did some research and the results are interesting.

Can they help you as well? Lets find out!

Nature's Superfood

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that they are one of the best foods to eat for obtaining zinc and magnesium.

Native to North American, just one tablespoon of the seeds contains almost 1mg of zinc and 40mg of magnesium, which equals to around 20% of your daily recommended intake. Pumpkin seeds are full of antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E

Antioxidants can reduce inflammation and protect your cells from harmful free radicals. That’s why consuming foods rich in antioxidants can help protect against many diseases

It’s thought that the high levels of antioxidants in pumpkins seeds are partly responsible for their positive effects on health.

A Better Night's Sleep

Pumpkin seeds have fairly high amounts of the amino acid, Tryptophan.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan which can essential amino acid that the body converts to serotonin .This in turn forms melatonin, or the ‘sleep hormone’. Tryptophan has also been proven to treat anxiety, so it can help to calm those niggling bedtime worries, helping you to settle down when you need to. Research shows that 1 gram of tryptophan daily improves sleep. You end up with close to 60% of your daily intake in a single ounce of the seeds.

Health Benefits

• Pumpkin Seeds Nutrition: One ounce of pumpkin seeds can provide a full range of nutritional support. Pumpkin seeds protein is 7 grams with 1.7 grams of fiber, 12 grams of fat, and 5 grams of carbs.

• Vitamins and Minerals: A variety of micronutrients are also available. Pumpkin seeds have calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, and other important compounds to support health in many ways.

• Immune Support: These seeds are high in phytochemicals and antioxidants that support immunity. When paired with vitamin d, pumpkin seeds can be a powerful way to protect overall health throughout the year.

• Hormone Balancing: Pumpkin seeds’ estrogen benefits come from the overall hormone balancing effect. For example, pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which can be beneficial for supporting health progesterone production. Since estrogen and progesterone levels change throughout the month, it’s smart to include ingredients that support hormone health.

• Blood Sugar Management: Are pumpkin seeds keto? Yes! The low carb count in pumpkin seeds means that this food can be part of your diabetic or keto-friendly diet.(Source Natures Garden)

Pumkpin seed oil is also full of nutrients so if you aren't a fan of the seeds, you can use the oil in your cooking for added health benefits.

Sadly, your Pumpkin Spice Latte does't offer the same benefits but hey, we all deserve a treat!