Antimicrobial properties. Pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seed extracts and pumpkin seeds are appreciated for its antimicrobial properties, including antiviral and antifungal properties. Research highlights the unique proteins found in pumpkin seeds, which are a source of antimicrobial properties. Pumpkin seeds have lignans, such as medioresinol, pinoresinol and lariciresinol, which have its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
Immunity. The seeds have a high content of zinc, which is essential for the body because it helps strengthen immunity, cell growth, mood, smell, taste, insulin regulation, skin health and male sexual function. Zinc deficiency is associated with increased chances of flu and colds, depression, chronic fatigue, low birth weight babies, acne, poor performance and learning difficulties.
Anxiety and arthritis. Research has shown that tryptophan, an amino acid rich in pumpkin seeds, can help reduce anxiety. Because tryptophan is converted to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that stimulates mood and encourages well-being in the brain, the researchers found that subjects with anxiety disorders who ate tryptophan-rich pumpkin seeds along with carbohydrates even before an anxiety test knew greater progress.