The benefits and harm of pumpkin flour. How to use?

Pumpkin flour is produced from the seeds of this plant. Therefore, it has all their beneficial properties. Mexico is considered the birthplace of this product. In this country, pumpkin is a component of very many dishes. Later, this flour became popular in other countries. This is Japan, and Thailand, as well as Brazil. In the ancient world, pumpkin was used to treat many diseases. This was especially prevalent in South America and Egypt.

The composition of the product

1. The chemical composition of pumpkin flour is rich in minerals necessary for the human body for normal functioning. These are potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and others.
2. In addition, there are many vitamins: C, A, K, B3.
3. This product contains alpha-linoleic acid, which has recently gained popularity due to the active promotion of healthy eating. This acid is also rich in krill oil. If you use these two products together, you can achieve the perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6.

Pumpkin seed flour is gluten-free, does not contain soy. Due to this, its use is safe for humans. Vegetarians and syroeda eat dishes from this flour, replacing protein foods of animal origin. The protein in this product is about 40%. Per 100 g of flour accounts for about 305 kcal.

Medicinal properties

1. In folk medicine, this product is widely distributed. It helps to fight allergies, strengthens the immune system, supports the strength of the body as a whole, fights cancer cells.
2. In addition, it kills pathogenic bacteria and parasites, relieves inflammation and tones the heart muscle.
3. Older people often suffer from osteoporosis. Pumpkin flour will help them cope with this problem. Due to the zinc content, bone tissue becomes more dense.
4. Those who eat this flour are less likely to get urolithiasis.
5. With arthritis, this product will also help a lot. Even representatives of traditional medicine have recognized the anti-inflammatory properties of the product.
6. With regular use of pumpkin flour in humans, hormonal balance normalizes. This is observed in both women and men.
7. In addition to the treatment and prevention of diseases, flour has a positive effect on mood. The man feels better. Some attribute flour to natural aphrodisiacs.
8. In addition, it speeds up the metabolism, therefore, recommended for use by people who want to get rid of excess body fat. If a person is on a diet based on the exclusion of carbohydrates, pumpkin flour will become a real boon, because it contains a lot of high-quality protein.
9. The antidepressant L-tryptophan contained in the composition helps to improve sleep and improve mood. If you suffer from insomnia - eat some pumpkin meal.
10. In adolescence, there are often problems with the skin of the face, and acne appears. Here, flour from pumpkin seeds will also benefit.
11. Using it in moderation will help to deal with intestinal disorders.
12. Traditional healers recommend to use flour in food for people with heart problems. This is due to the content of phytosterols. The product prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and reduces cholesterol levels. According to the content of phytosterols, science recognized pumpkin seeds as one of the leaders. In addition to pumpkin seeds, these components are rich in seeds and nuts of many other plants.
13. The product is indispensable for patients with diabetes. Scientific studies have shown that blood sugar normalizes in people who use pumpkin seeds or flour from them. For best effect, it is advised to combine it with flax seed flour.
14. It is especially important for men to eat dishes with pumpkin flour, as this can avoid many problems with the prostate. Cucurbitin contained in the product makes it indispensable in combating various parasites in the body.

How to use pumpkin flour with health benefits?

For the treatment and prevention of diseases, the product is consumed with emotional stress, exhaustion and decreased immunity during the cold season. In the spring it will help fill the lack of vitamins in the body.

Dissolve a few teaspoons of powder in any fermented milk product. Take this mixture for several weeks. The course of treatment can be repeated several times during the year. In addition, it is useful to add flour to baking. Moreover, it has a rather pleasant taste, similar to nutty. It is also useful to add it to protein shakes. To enrich the flavor of a side dish or salad, sprinkle the dish with this powder. You will make the food not only more original to taste, but also increase the benefit of dishes. This may be rice, pasta or corn porridge.

Harm and side effects

1. Do not use the product in excessive quantities. Otherwise, you can harm your health. Increased flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea may occur. The same effect brings overeating pumpkin seeds, but flour such side effects are less pronounced due to grinding. This is due to the fact that a high content of dietary fiber activates the intestinal microflora. The nutrition of modern people does not have a high content of fiber, so the intestines react to it in this way.
2. If you suffer from constant migraines, exclude products from pumpkin seeds.Scientists say they can make headaches even worse.
3. Keep the product fresh. In rancid flour useful fatty acids are converted into toxic substances that will contribute to the development of dangerous diseases.
4. Consult with your doctor before eating flour, if you suffer from cholecystitis or you have gallstones.
5. Another contraindication is pumpkin allergy. But such a phenomenon occurs infrequently.

How to cook pumpkin flour by yourself?

If you do not trust manufacturers, you can make this product yourself. You will be sure that it is fresh and does not contain any harmful impurities. The benefits of such flour will be more.

To make flour at home, follow these guidelines. Pumpkin seeds should be dried in the oven or a special dryer at a low temperature. It should not exceed 60 degrees, otherwise the vitamins and many useful substances simply collapse. It is necessary to dry so that the seeds are reduced in weight several times. Using a blender or coffee grinder, grind dried seeds. It is desirable that the grinding was the maximum.In the grinding process, pause and control its degree to the touch. Then the resulting flour should be sifted through a sieve several times. Pour the flour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2 months.

Pulp-based Flour Recipe

In its favor, the pulp is inferior to the seeds, but its advantage is the content of carotenoids. These are natural antioxidants. The flesh must be dried, then grind to a state of flour. First pick a ripe pumpkin. Peel the fruit from the rind and seeds. This can be done with a knife. If the fruit is small, it will be convenient to use a potato peeler. Finely chop the pulp and dry in the oven or dryer. The fire in the oven should be very weak. Wait for the pulp to dry. Then chop the pieces with a blender or combine.

Store in a sealed container in a cool place. Well it turns out from this product pies. Pumpkin meal in this case should be a quarter of the total.

Which is better - wheat or pumpkin flour?

Scientists conducted a comparison of pumpkin and wheat flour. Assessing the nutritional properties, they came to the following result.In crushed pumpkin seeds, there is much more fiber and beta-carotene. But wheat is more rich in healthy fats and carbohydrates. But the main advantage of pumpkin flour is the absence of gluten in it. It is very important for patients suffering from intolerance to wheat protein.

From the above, it follows that regular moderate consumption of this product can help cope with many dangerous ailments, as well as prevent their development.

Video: the benefits and harm of pumpkin for the body