Pumpkin seeds or pepitas are edible kernels of pumpkin, the giant orange gourd of the Cucurbitaceae family. Popular at Halloween, in North America, pumpkin is native to Mexico and has been exported all over the world. The seeds are essentially concentrated sources of many health-benefiting vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants. It is the diversity of antioxidants in pumpkin seeds that makes them unique in their antioxidant nutritional support.
Raw pumpkin seeds provide a source of fiber and they are especially rich in oleic acid that helps cholesterol levels. They are abundant in Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Vitamin K. The seeds also pack 9g of protein per ounce Pumpkin seeds provide a nice array of mineral support-copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. The bottom line: pumpkin seeds’ content is packed with health benefits as well as being a tasty food source.