Pumpkin oil or pumpkin seed oil: its benefits and ways to use it
Pumpkin or pumpkin is not only a delicious fruit that can be cooked with the most delicious recipes, but it also carries a lot of benefits. Learn about the benefits Pumpkin oil or Pumpkin seed oil Its multiple uses and its harms or side effects.
Pumpkin oil nutritional value and calories
Pumpkin oil is also called pumpkin seed oil or pepita oil. It is extracted from pumpkin seeds. A teaspoon of it (14 grams) contains 120 calories, and it does not contain any carbohydrates, proteins or fibers, but the same amount of it contains 14 grams of fat. The most important unsaturated are omega-3 and omega-6.
Pumpkin oil benefits
Reducing harmful cholesterol
Pumpkin seed oil contains a substance called phytosterol, which is similar to cholesterol in its composition. When this substance enters the body, it works to compete with cholesterol and prevent its absorption, thus reducing the level of harmful cholesterol.
Pumpkin oil for the skin
There is not a lot of research that supports its benefits for the skin, but some opinions have suggested its effectiveness in treating inflammation resulting from acne and soothing irritated skin. There are also some insufficient studies that support the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil in helping to heal wounds and increase the production of natural collagen that gives the skin a healthy appearance. Lively and fresh.
Helps hair growth and prevent its loss
Some research and studies on taking pumpkin seed oil supplements found that women who took pumpkin seed oil tablets daily for 24 weeks noticed an improvement in hair growth and an increase in hair density by 40%.
Benefits of pumpkin oil for the prostate and urinary tract
Some research has linked pumpkin oil to improved prostate health, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urinary tract health in general, and reducing overactive bladder symptoms, with pumpkin seed oil extract taken for 12 weeks.
Relieve menopausal symptoms
A study conducted on 35 postmenopausal women after consuming pumpkin seed oil found a decrease in the severity of their menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and joint pain, in addition to an increase in good cholesterol and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, but research is insufficient and more is still needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Improve mental health
Pumpkin seeds have an amazing effect on mental health, improving mood, and getting rid of depression, and according to some studies, the oil extracted from the seeds may have the same effect, and positive results have appeared in research conducted on children suffering from depression, but studies remain insufficient.
How to use pumpkin seed oil
There are several ways you can use pumpkin seed oil as follows:
- You can put it on salad with vinegar and salt, and you can put it on pasta sauces and season grilled vegetables and potatoes. But it is preferable not to heat it or cook it at high temperatures.
- Pumpkin seed oil can also be obtained through dietary supplement capsules, but do not take any of them before consulting a doctor first.
- The oil can also be used topically in its liquid form on the hair or skin.
Best Pumpkin Oil to Buy and Healthy Storage Methods
If you decide to buy pumpkin oil, search for a product that contains oil extracted from pumpkin seeds by cold pressing and not by thermal heating, in order to obtain all its benefits that can be lost by heat.
When stored, it must be placed in a cool place away from heat or sunlight, and it is best to keep it in the refrigerator after opening it. When using it, leave it a little at normal temperature to turn into liquid form again.
Is there any damage to pumpkin oil?
According to the natural medicine database at the Therapeutic Research Center, pumpkin seed oil is completely safe if used topically or by eating or taking nutritional supplement capsules, but pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking it because there is no evidence of its safety in pregnancy and lactation.
Finally, after you got acquainted with pumpkin oil and its benefits and uses, you should not overdo it even if it is a natural product, and you should also consult a doctor first if you suffer from any special health condition or take any medications before taking it, and if you have any questions you can consult One of our doctors is from here.