Pumpkin Seed Compound Kills 80% of Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro and Lowers Risk in Women: This Halloween, don’t throw away those pumpkin seeds! They are a uniquely rich source of the powerful anticancer compound called cucurbitacin B, which has been found to kill up to 80% of human breast cancer cells in vitro and also to slow breast cancer growth in mice by 55%. But do pumpkin seeds have health benefits for women? Few women eat enough to have an effect, but one study out of Germany found that just one 28 gram serving per week of pumpkin seeds (or sunflower seeds) reduced breast cancer risk by 14%. Presumably, higher consumption levels would have even greater benefits. Pumpkin seeds may also be helpful against diabetes: they’re already used in traditional medicine in Africa to treat diabetes, and lab studies confirm they do indeed lower blood sugar levels (in mice). In fact, pumpkin seeds are so promising that they are being tested in several clinical trials for lowering blood pressure in women, increasing hair growth in men, and helping overweight women lose weight! Besides cucurbitacin B, pumpkin seeds are a great source of vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, iron and healthy plant-based protein. They’re great as a snack on their own, tossed into salads or granola, sauteed with vegetables, or baked into breads, muffins or cookies—even after Halloween!
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:30:40 +0000
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