Benefits

Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits

Health Benefits

Pumpkin seed oil is known to provide phytosterols. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Because phytosterols are structurally similar to the body’s cholesterol, when they are consumed, they compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system.

As a result, cholesterol absorption is blocked, and blood cholesterol levels reduced.” For this reason, some people consume pumpkin seed oil to lower cholesterol and boost heart health.

Other pumpkin seed oil benefits are the full report on the internet and by supplement makers. Some of these benefits are back by clinical studies, although some of the reviews were performed on rats, not humans, and other studies are limited in scope. So there is not an extensive body of research into the health benefits of the oil.

Relief of Menopausal Symptoms

Conducted on 35 menopausal women found that those who took pumpkin seed oil (rather than wheat germ oil) experienced increases in HDL cholesterol, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, and fewer menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches, and joint pain.

Overactive Bladder Relief

In the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that when study participants consumed pumpkin seed oil as an extract for 12 weeks, they found relief from overactive bladder symptoms.

Possible Treatment for Metabolic Disease

A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture examined the use of pumpkin seed oil on metabolic disease in rats. Scientists found that pumpkin seed oil may be helpful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorders in rats who fed a high-fat diet.

Possible Treatment for Blood Pressure, Prevention of Heart Disease

In the Journal of Medicinal Food found that pumpkin seed oil may have the potential to lower blood pressure and provide other benefits to prevent heart disease. This study was performed on rats, so it is unclear whether humans would experience these same benefits.

Improves Heart Health

The pumpkin seed oil has one of the highest concentrations of polyunsaturated fats of any food source. While fats are usually associated with being unhealthy, the body requires a certain amount of good fats to function. The oleic and linoleic acids found in pumpkin seeds can help lower blood pressure and balance cholesterol levels, protecting against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and other heart diseases.

May Help Prevent Cancer

As men age, an enlarged prostate can make urination painful or severe and can increase their chances of developing prostate cancer. Fortunate, research on pumpkin seed oil has shown that it can improve urine flow and decrease inflammation of the prostate, thereby protecting men against one the deadliest forms of cancer. 

All the nutrients in pumpkin seeds that make them a healthy, nutritious snack also make them a great anti-ageing ingredient in skincare. Take a look at all the benefits: