The benefits and harms of pumpkin oil — 7 properties and rules of use

Pumpkin seed oil is a natural oil obtained from pumpkin seeds, which has unique beneficial properties. It is widely used not only in the culinary field, but also in folk and evidence-based medicine.

Oil can be added to any vegetable salads, meat and fish dishes. The only prohibition is hot dishes. When exposed to high temperatures, the product loses its biological properties and can be harmful to health.

Top 7 useful properties

The 7 main facts about the benefits of pumpkin oil are described below (based on scientific sources of information).

1. Improves mood and fights depression

Pumpkin seeds and oil based on them are traditionally used for normalization of the emotional background and eliminate any anxiety and depressive disorders.

Scientists from the UK, through research on children, installed that pumpkin oil is an effective natural remedy, Mood enhancing , which eliminates the symptoms of depression and increases the craving for life.

The product helps with severe psycho-emotional stress and in difficult life situations.

2. Reduces blood sugar levels

Discovered that pumpkin seed oil has a hypoglycemic effect, that is, it reduces blood sugar. The mechanism of development of the therapeutic effect has not yet been fully studied.

It is assumed that the product increases the sensitivity of peripheral tissue cells (fat and muscle) to insulin, which contributes to a more efficient utilization of glucose by the body's cells to meet energy needs.

Also, pumpkin oil, due to the abundance of fatty acids in the composition, slows down the absorption of any carbohydrates from the lumen of the digestive system, preventing sudden sugar spikes after meals.

The effect of the oil is not related to sex hormones, therefore, it is equally effective for both men and women.

3. Improves the condition of the skin and hair

Experiments performed under the supervision of Korean experts, show that taking only 400 mg of pumpkin oil for 6 months increases the rate of hair growth in men by 60%.

At the same time, not a single side effect was found during the entire study.

Pumpkin seed oil can also be used for cosmetic purposes. It moisturizes the skin of the body and face, smoothes fine wrinkles and reduces the likelihood of developing infectious and inflammatory diseases (including acne).

4. Supports the health of the heart and blood vessels

Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of poly– and monounsaturated fats for the human body.

Specialists from the University of Groningen (Netherlands) installed that pumpkin oil reduces the level of total cholesterol (including "harmful" LDL) in the blood.

Against the background of correct lipid profile indicators, the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and the development of pathologies such as coronary heart disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, strokes.

The oil also increases the resistance of the arterial endothelium to any traumatic factors. This contributes to additional protection against the introduction of cholesterol crystals and the transformation of the vascular wall against the background of high blood pressure.

There is information about the hypotensive effect of the product.

Pumpkin seed oil affects key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It can be indicated for therapy (together with medications recommended by a doctor) and prevention of heart and vascular pathologies.

5. Improves prostate health

Korean scientists discovered that pumpkin oil can be used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men.

Against the background of the use of the product, the volume of the prostate decreases, the phenomena of prostatitis are leveled and, most importantly, the outflow of urine is restored.

Experts have found that the combination of pumpkin seed oil and palmetto leads to an increase in mutual biological action. Their combined use significantly increases the effectiveness of the treatment of prostatitis.

6. Maintaining the health of the urinary system

Pumpkin oil has an anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and regeneration-accelerating effect.

Similar effects can be used for the treatment of various diseases of the gallbladder, ureters and kidneys, when the mucous membranes and muscle walls become reactive when inflammatory processes occur or mechanical injury by concretions.

For example, according to information Japanese scientists, taking 0.5 – 1 grams of pumpkin seed oil per day reduces the severity of bladder irritation and facilitates urination, reduces the frequency of nocturnal episodes of going to the toilet.

7. Eliminates the symptoms of menopause

Experts from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica) identified that pumpkin seed oil reduces the severity of disorders caused by hormonal changes after menopause.

The product reduces the frequency and severity of "hot flashes" and headaches, eliminates unpleasant painful sensations from the joint apparatus.

Due to the pronounced antioxidant effect of pumpkin oil Increases bone mineral density and prevents pathological fractures.

Safety and harm

Pumpkin oil has contraindications.

When consumed in reasonable amounts, it is considered useful and even recommended for inclusion in the diet of pregnant women and children (from the age of 3).

However, in isolated cases, pumpkin seed oil can be harmful to health. The most common side effects are:

1. Hypotension. Pumpkin oil lowers blood pressure, which can negatively affect the health of people with initially low blood pressure levels.
2. Poisoning. The product has a low gorenje temperature. When cooking food based on it (frying), a huge amount of harmful chemicals is released that increase the risk of developing malignant tumors.
3. Obesity. The oil has a high energy value (almost 900 calories per 100 grams). Excessive consumption can lead to the formation of new accumulations of adipose tissue.
4. Allergic reactions.  They are extremely rare. They are caused by the increased sensitivity of the human body to individual components of the oil. They usually occur in a mild form (skin reactions, itching). If there are allergic pathologies in the past, the product is contraindicated.

Admission Tips

Several rules are discussed below to increase the biological effect of using pumpkin seed oil:

1. Methods of administration and dosage. The oil is taken orally in its pure form or as part of any (non-hot) dishes. The recommended dose per day is from 0.1 to 2 grams. Preference should be given to unrefined and raw cold pressed butter, as it retains the initial level of vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidant substances. Pumpkin oil is strictly forbidden to be used for frying, stewing or cooking any products. The oil is also available for use in capsule form.
2. The optimal time of admission. The oil is characterized by a high safety profile in relation to the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, it can be used at any time of the day, even in the morning on an empty stomach. It is worth giving up the use of pumpkin oil in the evening (before going to bed), so as not to overload the digestive system and develop problems with going to bed.
3. How to choose. High-quality oil is packed in glass bottles (opaque) or metal cans. It should be stored for no more than 18 months, and the composition should be free of any substances, except for the oil itself. After opening the package, the liquid has a homogeneous cloudy consistency. The aroma is rich, tart, similar to the smell of roasted pumpkin seeds.
4. What can be combined with. Pumpkin oil goes well with any vegetables and non-hot meat dishes, fish and cereals.
5. Use in cooking. In the culinary business, the product is used as a seasoning for pasta dishes and porridges, as a dressing for any vegetable salads, meat and fish dishes. The oil is ideally combined with all types of potatoes (boiled, fried, baked), as well as with pancakes.
6. How to store. It is preferable to store the product in a cool dark place protected from sunlight. The ideal temperature for storage is about + 18 degrees.

Conclusions

1. Pumpkin oil is a natural product obtained from pumpkin seeds. The most valuable option for industrial processing is cold pressing.
2. The product is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids.
3. The oil improves the health of the heart and blood vessels, endocrine and urinary systems, can be used to relieve and prevent depression.
4. The product has a high safety profile and can be consumed by pregnant women.
5. In no case should the oil be heated (frying, stewing, boiling), this will lead to the loss of biological properties and the production of toxic substances.