CARONAVIRUS, PUMPKIN SEEDS and our IMMUNE SYSTEM

We all know that it is our immune system that helps our bodies fight diseases and infections. So of course this will also be a benefit when fighting this new virus. To build up our immune system we can work at supplying our bodies with nutritious foods that contain beneficial nutrients.

One ingredient that helps build our immune system is pumpkin seeds because of their abundance of zinc.

PUMPKIN SEEDS
I made a phone order, and by mistake I got a bag of roasted pumpkin seeds with the shell on instead of shelled ones and wondered how I could use them. They didn’t open easily so we weren’t about to use them to snack on. I wondered if I should grind them into powder & use the powder as a flour. I went on line and found the following info on pumpkin seeds.

Whole pumpkin seeds have more than twice the fibre as shelled ones

One ounce (28 grams) of whole pumpkin seeds offers approximately 5 grams of fiber, while the same amount of shelled seeds has only 2 grams.

Fiber promotes optimal digestion by feeding the friendly bacteria in your gut. It may even reduce our risk of heart disease by lowering our cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Thus, whole pumpkin seeds provide an extra boost of beneficial fiber.

But these seeds are also rich in several other nutrients including zinc, magnesium, and copper. Additionally, they’re high in iron, which is vital for blood health and oxygen transport.

In his big book, The World’s Healthiest Foods, George Mateljan says:

“To get the full zinc benefits of pumpkin seeds you may want to consume the seeds and the shells. There is a very thin layer directly behind the shell called the endosperm envelope. Zinc is especially concentrated in this endosperm envelope. Eating the whole shell will ensure that all zinc- containing portions get consumed. And as well as mentioned above the fibre is so good.”

Today as we want to build up our immune system & help our bodies fight this virus, why not add this pumpkin seed flour to different recipes or add it to a shake? I used it today as I mixed and baked a fresh batch of cookies. Yummy!

For how to BLEND PUMPKIN SEEDS WITH THE SHELL and make these delicious GINGER SNAP cookies, click here.