Who among us doesn’t like to crunch seeds! Especially pumpkin ones. Light, crispy, with pleasant nutty notes… They can be eaten plain or added to soups or salads. Pumpkin seeds are not just a tasty, but also a healthy snack. Experts spoke about the benefits of this product for women 50-60 years old.
Pumpkin seeds reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. Thus, in 2012, one study showed that eating pumpkin seeds reduces the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, nutritionist Dmitry Semiryadov told Rossiyskaya Gazeta (18).
Also, scientific experiments have demonstrated that pumpkin seed oil lowers diastolic blood pressure by 7% and increases the level of “good” cholesterol by 16%. In addition, pumpkin increases the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and helps reduce blood pressure.
“Pumpkin seeds are recommended for women during menopause, because they contain phytoestrogens,” adds Irina Merkulova, associate professor of the department of physical education at the State University of Management.
Meanwhile, you shouldn’t switch entirely to pumpkin seeds. Everything is useful in moderation. This principle also applies to this product. Thus, it contains phytic acid, which reduces the bioavailability of some nutrients, and to reduce its amount, it is better to soak the seeds before use. Also, pumpkin seeds are not recommended for use during periods of exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases.
A healthy woman aged 50-60 years can consume no more than 30–50 g of pumpkin seeds per day (about a handful). This amount will provide the body with the necessary nutrients without overloading it with calories.
