Pumpkin seed oil not only tastes delicious in dressings and salads, but also has a positive effect on our health due to its ingredients. Here you can find out how healthy pumpkin seed oil really is.
Pumpkin seeds are delicious and healthy. The same applies to the pumpkin seed oil obtained from it. It is characterized by its strong, nutty taste and is a delicacy to eat, but is also suitable for body care.
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Pumpkin seed oil: It really is that healthy
Due to its ingredients, pumpkin seed oil is one of the particularly healthy oils. It is rich in the essential vitamins A, D, C, E, as well as vitamins from the B group , which play an important role in many bodily processes. Only the vitamin K contained in the pumpkin seeds is lost in the oil extraction process. However, if you’re making a salad with pumpkin seed oil, you could add extra pumpkin seeds to absorb the nutrient. In addition, the oil provides you with magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper and zinc .
Valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids are an important part of a healthy and balanced diet. Among other things, they can have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. They are contained, for example, in various oils, including pumpkin seed oil – this contains around 80 percent. However, the linolenic acid it contains is one of the omega-6 fatty acids, which can lead to inflammatory processes in the body if consumed in excess – so only consume small amounts of pumpkin seed oil and alternate with other oils with a higher proportion of omega- 3-fatty acids such as linseed oil , hemp oil or – contained in smaller amounts – olive oil .
Pumpkin seed oil: How it works in the body
According to scientists from Graz University of Technology, no other oil contains as many antioxidants as pumpkin seed oil. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which are jointly responsible for the development of certain diseases.
In addition, the oil has a positive effect on cholesterol levels . If this is too high, it can lead to serious illnesses such as a heart attack. Some of the fats found in pumpkin seed oil, such as oleic acid , can lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol.
Pumpkin seed oil: Also suitable for skin and hair
Due to its valuable properties, the oil is not only suitable for consumption, but also for physical use. For example, you can add the oil to your shampoo or massage it into towel-dried hair. It moisturizes dry scalps, provides shine and can reduce the development of dandruff .
Buying and Using Pumpkin Seed Oil
With pumpkin seed oil, make sure that it is of organic quality, as there is no risk of it containing residues of harmful substances such as pesticides. The oil is usually dark in color and viscous. Since pumpkin seed oil can only be made from a certain type of pumpkin seed and 30 pumpkins are needed for one liter, it is one of the more expensive oils. So that the valuable ingredients are not lost, the oil should only be used cold. It is suitable, for example, for salads, raw vegetables or even pesto.
