Everyone knows about the enormous benefits of pumpkin for the human body. Since ancient times, people have consumed its fruits, stems, flowers. Demanded and peeled pumpkin seeds. This is a natural and affordable product used to treat and prevent many ailments. It is necessary to take them correctly, given the harm and contraindications. Product features are described in the article.
Description
Pumpkin is a fruit plant that people began to grow and collect for food purposes. Its seeds have been used in everyday life since ancient times. Now pumpkin is grown as a feed and food crop. According to the botanical characteristics, pumpkin is a hairy or hard-rough grass, the fruits of which are large yellow, orange and green berries. They have a dense structure and a hard shell.
In each fruit, a lot of flattened seeds with a soft but dense shell grow during ripening. In its raw form, more than half the mass is occupied by fatty acids, so the flesh is oily and soft. Fried and dried seeds, dry and hard.
Production
The leaders in pumpkin cultivation are countries such as China and India. During the year they grow 6 and 4 times more product compared to Russia and Ukraine, which occupy a common 3rd place. Pumpkin seeds are popular in the Russian Federation, so the country is a leader in the sale of the product.
In stores, peeled pumpkin seeds are also sold. Purification and processing takes place in the same way as with sunflower seeds. The product goes through the following processing steps:
- It is washed, the pulp is separated.
- Drying is carried out by heat generators or sunlight (in industrial conditions, 1 option is chosen).
- Then carry out cleaning and calibration.
- Then the separation of the shells and the nucleus by the seed-breaking apparatus is carried out.
- Roasting is in progress.
- The product is packaged and packaged.
Before roasting, you can add salt or spices. In order for the product to be protected from the rays of the sun, temperature changes, contact with air, it is placed in an airtight package.
Calorie content and composition
Peeled pumpkin seeds are rich in:
- fats;
- proteins;
- carbohydrates;
- water
- fiber.
The calorie content of peeled pumpkin seeds per 100 g of product is 559 kcal. It is quite high in calories, so it should be consumed in a limited amount. Also in peeled pumpkin seeds there are:
- Vitamin B. It is necessary for the stable functioning of the nervous system, protein, fat metabolism. It also improves memory, skin condition, hair, nails.
- Tocopherol. The component supports the reproductive system.
- Zinc. Needed to upgrade the immune system.
- Copper. The trace element stabilizes the blood composition, relieves inflammation.
- Magnesium. It takes part in almost all processes of metabolism and vital functions of the body.
- Phosphorus. Mineral is required for the strength of bones and teeth. It also improves brain function, preserves muscle tone.
- Manganese. Without it, some vitamins are not absorbed. Mineral is required for the formation of bone tissue, the absorption of food.
Beneficial features
The positive effect of the intake of the above substances affects all organs. The product has the following valuable properties:
- The mode of day and night is improving. The body will have an effective rest during sleep, and during wakefulness there will be no drowsiness or weakness.
- The production of L-tryptophan, an amino acid that is transformed into serotonin and niacin, is stimulated.
- Arginine dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow. Therefore, symptoms of hypertension will rarely appear.
- The skin becomes elastic, healthy. Collagen production occurs and wrinkles are smoothed out.
- Thanks to the intake of zinc, the body will be protected from arthritis, osteoporosis, joint diseases.
- Blood coagulation is normalized.
- There is an aggravation of perception and color discrimination, improvement of vision at dusk.
- Eating seeds temporarily suppresses nausea. They help with motion sickness.
- Pumpkin seed is a rich source of protein.
Raw seeds have a rich and beneficial composition. You can not use them in their raw form - drying does not greatly reduce the benefits, but helps the product to be stored for a longer time. The benefits and harms of peeled pumpkin seeds are described below.
Benefits for women
Valuable properties are associated with a healing and cosmetic effect. The product is useful for women due to the fact that it does not allow the leaching of calcium from the bones and the development of osteoporosis. Seeds serve as protection against anemia. This is due to the content of copper and iron in them.
Fatty and organic acids lead to rejuvenation, improve appearance. Substances of seeds make up for the lack of nutrition of hair, nails, skin, start the production of collagen. The product has a positive effect when eating the pulp of seeds for food, as well as for external use.
There is a benefit of peeled pumpkin seeds during pregnancy and lactation, the main thing is to coordinate this with your doctor. The product protects against anemia, loss of calcium, edema, parasites, makes sleep sound and productive. In the first 4-5 weeks after birth, it is advisable to exclude the use of seeds, and then take them within reasonable limits.
For men
Pumpkin seeds are also useful for men because of the content of components that lead to:
- improving the elimination of harmful substances and waste products;
- supporting brain function and clarity of mind while awake;
- protection against cancer of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, representative gland;
- raising muscle tone;
- reduce the risk of heart attack, atherosclerosis, stroke.
Harm
Is there any harm to peeled pumpkin seeds? They can not be used for allergies and individual intolerance. Caution the product should be taken with:
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
- obesity.
Although there are not many calories in pumpkin pulp, its seeds are a high-calorie product that is undesirable to take with careful weight control. A day is allowed to consume no more than 100 g of the product. If you overeat, it is likely exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, the accumulation of salts in the joints. Do not bite the shell with your teeth, as there is a risk of damage to the enamel. It is forbidden to eat seeds with a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer, colitis, gastritis with exacerbation of other gastrointestinal diseases.
Frying rules
How to fry the product? Peeled pumpkin seeds can be prepared on their own. They need to be sorted out, washed in running water. The procedure may vary depending on the processing method:
- A pan can be used for frying. It should have thick walls and a bottom, otherwise the seeds will not be fried inside, but outside will burn. The grains should be scattered with a thin layer, processing is performed no more than ¼ hour with stirring. Cracking serves as a cooking signal. How to quickly peel pumpkin seeds? In order for the husk to separate better, the feed must be wetted.
- In the oven, the product should be no more than 5 minutes at a temperature of 220 degrees. Then the heating is turned off, the oven is opened, but the seeds must be inside until the temperature inside the cabinet drops by at least half. Then the seeds are scattered on a wooden board and covered with a linen napkin until cool.
- In the microwave, cooking is fast. The maximum power level of the furnace should be set. A plate with moistened seeds is placed in it for 1 minute. Then the contents are mixed, and the action must be repeated. The third and last time will require 30 seconds of processing.
- How to peel pumpkin seeds from husks immediately after frying? To do this, they need to be prepared. First, soaking in water is carried out: 2-4 hours with salt and 5-7 hours without it. Then the water is drained and the seeds are crushed by hands so that they do not become softened. Then they are put under oppression for 1/3 hours.
- You can fry the seeds with salt. It is necessary to salt them during the frying period right in the pan. To obtain salted pulp, it is necessary to soak the grains in salt water for 3-4 hours (50 g per 0.5 l).
How to peel pumpkin seeds at home? If they were prepared, then it will be easier to do. Usually the husk is easily removed by hand.
Drying
You can buy peeled pumpkin seeds in St. Petersburg and in any other city in grocery stores and supermarkets ("Tape", "Magnet", "Auchan"). But the product can be dried on its own. To do this, follow the simple rules:
- The best option for drying is considered to be an oven, an air grill and an electric dryer.
- Before drying the seeds, you need to select the largest and most mature ones, and then rinse them with cool water.
- The suitable temperature when drying in a pan is not more than 120 degrees, in an air grill - 60, and in an electric dryer or oven - 80 degrees.
- Seeds must be spread out in a thin layer so that they are enveloped in a good quality hot air.
Finished grains have a yellow-orange tint with a clear contour. They should also have a peeling transparent film. Such a product is ready for use.
Storage
How to store peeled pumpkin seeds? Sorted and dried products are placed in a glass container or food container. The dishes should have a sealed lid. The best temperature is 20 degrees. The product must be left in a dark place with low humidity, and then it can be stored for up to 1 year.
How to use?
Important guidelines for seed application should be followed:
- It is advisable to eat in raw form, because the beneficial components after frying are reduced by almost half. Do not salt them.
- Do not use seeds that have an unpleasant or ripe odor.
- A bitter product should not be used, so it is better to try seeds before buying.
- Grains must be cleaned by hand or bought without a peel.
- To improve the condition of the skin and hair, it is required to eat 50 grains per day.
- It is undesirable to use seeds with a peel, because it is rough and therefore injures the intestinal wall.
The product is able to diversify the daily menu. It is enough to add seeds to vegetable stews, cereals, fresh salads, pastries. Then the dishes will be not only delicious, but also healthy.
In cooking
Seeds can be slightly fried, after which they are ready for use. The main method of their use is a pure reception, like sunflower seeds. In general, and crushed, they are added to salads, main dishes, snacks.
The grain crushed by a blender or coffee grinder has a pleasant aroma, which is why it is used as a sprinkle for pastry and baking. Lightly roasted seeds, herbs, garlic and lemon juice are used to make a delicious sauce. Raw and vegetarian cuisine makes pancakes with grated pumpkin seed.
When to take?
Pumpkin seeds are distracting for nausea. They help those who are motion sick when traveling in transport or if there is motion sickness. They can be used by pregnant women with toxicosis.
With chronic constipation, you can help the intestines if you regularly take a handful of raw seeds. This method is effective if the disease is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, when there is no opportunity to play sports. But still, this does not replace exercise and other preventive measures. The benefits and harms of seeds depend on quantity: excess can lead to the opposite effect - weight gain and increased constipation.
Pumpkin seeds reduce cholesterol in the blood, so they are taken with atherosclerosis. They also lower the pressure. But it is important to consider that the trace elements present lead to a violation of the water-electrolyte balance, malfunctions of the heart rhythm, gout, and urolithiasis.
Traditional medicine recommends taking the product from helminths. It is advisable to include them as an additional therapeutic agent. To eliminate parasites, seeds are consumed raw and with a green film. It is in it that there are components that are considered poison for helminths. For an adult, 250 g of seeds per day will be enough, and children and adolescents should consume 75-150 g.
Fans of taking fried seeds need to consider that they have more fat, so it leads to weight gain. During frying, some of the vitamins are destroyed, and the benefits of the product are reduced, but the taste will be noticeably better.
Mash from brewed seeds is applied to wounds and burns for quick recovery. It is better to wrap it in a cloth or bandage in advance. But the product does not have a disinfecting property, therefore, additionally, antibacterial agents must be used.
Thus, peeled pumpkin seeds are a healthy product. It is only necessary to comply with the norm of its use, not forgetting about the possible harm and contraindications.