Medical Mythbuster: It's not safe to eat unshelled pumpkin seeds - Reliant Medical Group (2024)

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Medical Mythbuster: It's not safe to eat unshelled pumpkin seeds - Reliant Medical Group? ›

Medical Mythbuster: It's not safe to eat unshelled pumpkin seeds. You may only be used to eating shelled pumpkin seeds bought in a store, but's it's perfectly fine to eat the whole seeds too.

This is because the fiber-rich seeds may worsen intestinal inflammation and lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, pain, bloating and possibly other symptoms. However, most people should be fine after eating raw or roasted pumpkin seeds – just don't overdo it!

Pumpkin seeds are rich in many antioxidants, which protect your cells from disease-causing damage and reduce inflammation in your body. When they have their hulls, they're also a great source of dietary fiber, which can boost this effect.

Pumpkin seed shells are safe to eat and provide more fiber than green, shelled pumpkin seeds. However, people with digestive conditions may want to avoid whole seeds, as their high fiber content can trigger symptoms like pain and diarrhea.

Pumpkins seeds are perfectly safe to enjoy raw. Now, if you do choose to eat raw pumpkin seeds, you'll need to decide if you want to eat them with or without the shell. While shelled pumpkin seeds contain more fiber than unshelled ones, the shell is chewy and may take a bit more work to break down.

Pumpkin Seeds Are Good for Digestive Health

Therefore, incorporating fiber into your diet can help prevent gastrointestinal distress and promote regularity. Additionally, fiber is a food source for healthy gut bacteria, promoting a healthy gut biome.

If you choose to eat pumpkin seeds for prostate health, you may see benefits within a few weeks, but there are no guarantees. Results will depend on your health situation, how often you eat the seeds, and the quality of the seeds.

The American Heart Association recommends a quarter cup of daily intake of pumpkin seeds as part of an overall healthy diet, which is approximately 30 g. This amount will provide you with a good amount of protein, healthy fats, fiber, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and other effective nutrients.

The side effects of eating too many pumpkin seeds

Although insoluble fiber is essential and can help to reduce constipation, eating too much of it gives your gut bacteria a bit of a workout, and in the process of trying to dissolve the undigested carbohydrate, gas is often released as a byproduct.

It is possibly safe to take pumpkin seed or pumpkin seed oil in medicinal amounts. Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. It might also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions in some people.

Is it safe to eat unshelled pumpkin seeds? ›

Pumpkin seeds are quite good for you with or without the shell. They're extremely rich in fiber (which can support good digestion and heart health), as well as other beneficial vitamins and nutrients (like zinc, magnesium, and iron). With that said, whole pumpkin seeds offer about double the fiber of shelled ones.

Seed bezoars are usually found in the rectum of patients without predisposing factors, causing constipation and pain. Rectal impaction is common after ingestion of seeds while a true occlusion is rare.

What Type of Pumpkin Seeds Are Best to Eat? The best pumpkin seeds to eat are hull-less, also known as pepitas. Pepitas are naked — that is, they do not have any cream-colored hull covering them that you would see on any old jack-o-lantern. They are also delicious and full of healthy fats, protein and minerals.

Not safe for those with low blood pressure

If you already have low blood pressure (hypotension), then just bid adieu to pumpkin seeds as they are antioxidant in nature, and help to lower blood pressure. Consult an expert before opting for these seeds, in case you wish to eat them.

Pumpkin seeds are excellent for kidney health. They are high in essential nutrients that may help protect the kidneys. These tiny seeds are high in antioxidants, which may help reduce progression of chronic kidney disease. They also contain essential minerals which keep your kidneys healthy.

The Science Behind Pumpkin Seeds

“They (pumpkin seed) are packed full of essential nutrients, things like potassium, magnesium and zinc. One of the things they do is help to dilate blood vessels and therefore help bladder muscles to relax. This muscle relaxation helps reduce the urge to go to the loo.

Pumpkin contains beta-carotene, which reduces inflammation and may help prevent skin cancer caused by sun exposure. Plus, alpha-carotene in pumpkin may help slow down the aging process.

While it's sometimes associated with seasonal lattes and desserts, pumpkin can be a simple addition to sweet and savory cuisines. Pumpkin is considered a safe food for most healthy adults, but check with a healthcare provider if you have a history of food allergies, are pregnant, or are taking certain medications.