“Essential elements like iron and magnesium, vital for energy production and maintaining healthy biological processes, are found in pumpkin seeds,” noted Anjana B Nair, Consultant Dietitian at Motherhood Hospitals, HRBR Layout Bengaluru.
Feeling fatigued from your daily activities? Now might be the perfect time to incorporate pumpkin seeds into your diet. These small, green seeds are rich in nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and protein, which could help ward off tiredness and provide the much-needed energy boost to keep you active throughout the day.
Dr. Uma Naidoo, a food psychiatrist from Harvard University, shared her recommendation for pumpkin seeds to maintain energy levels on Instagram. “When I meet patients who often experience fatigue, one of my go-to food suggestions is pumpkin seeds. Packed with magnesium, zinc, and protein, these tiny nutritional powerhouses are packed with nutrients that can potentially elevate your energy levels,” she wrote.
She elaborated, “Magnesium (found in pumpkin seeds) reduces inflammation and relaxes the nervous system. For instance, during exercise, lactate builds up in your blood, causing tired and achy limbs. Magnesium can counteract this lactate accumulation, alleviating fatigue.”
Anjana B Nair, in agreement, stated that due to their nutritional composition, pumpkin seeds can help prevent fatigue. She highlighted that these seeds contain essential elements like iron and magnesium, which are integral to energy production and maintaining healthy bodily functions. Iron is necessary for hemoglobin formation, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. Magnesium aids in converting food into energy and supports muscle and nerve function. Including pumpkin seeds in your diet can provide these essential nutrients while aiding in fatigue management.
Aside from fighting fatigue, pumpkin seeds offer a host of other health benefits. They are a nutritious food source containing essential nutrients, healthy fats, and beneficial compounds. Yogita Chavan, a Dietitian at Godrej Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, mentioned that pumpkin seeds contain bioactive compounds like phytosterols, phenolic compounds, vitamin E, cucurbitacins, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, and amino acids. They are rich in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, iron, calcium, and copper.
Furthermore, pumpkin seeds have potential benefits for mental health. Vani Krishna, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Manipal Hospital in Varthur, Bangalore, highlighted that pumpkin seeds are abundant in the amino acid tryptophan, which converts into serotonin and may aid in achieving restful sleep. It’s noted that pumpkin seeds have been associated with an antidepressant property score of 47%, and their influence on the formation of the neurotransmitter serotonin offers potential relief from depression.
