Pumpkin seeds — or pepitas — are packed with nutrients that offer many health benefits, according to the American Heart Association. They are more affordable than most nuts, and there are multiple ways to consume them, including pumpkin-seed oil, which you can use to cook or as a salad dressing. A lot of people also consume pumpkin-seed oil as a supplement or use it on their skin or hair.
Maple Holistics Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil is one of the best oils on the market. It’s made from certified organic ingredients and packed with nutrients including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It's formulated for use on the skin, hair and scalp, and includes a dropper that makes it easy to apply.
Not all oils can be used on high or medium heat. Pumpkin-seed oil can only be used to cook at low temperatures, or the oil will smoke and the nutrients will begin to dissipate, says the Mayo Clinic. This will also result in a disagreeable flavor most people will not enjoy.
When cooking with pumpkin-seed oil, it is best to add it at the end for a little extra flavor. But pumpkin-seed oil makes a good salad dressing or flavor for cold dishes. It has a pleasant nutty taste, and it’s a healthy alternative to dressings loaded with saturated fat and sugar.
Pumpkin-seed oil offers a ton of health benefits, since pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrients like magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium. They are also a great source of unsaturated fat, which can help with bad cholesterol. Unlike saturated fat — and especially trans fat associated with processed foods — unsaturated fat is healthy, says the Mayo Clinic, and helps with many bodily functions.
It may seem like an oil would only come in a liquid, but that is just one way to consume it. There are also supplements, which come in capsules. Some of the capsules are 100% pumpkin-seed oil, but it's also added to formulas such as Saw Palmetto extract, which contributes to prostate health.
Many people use pumpkin-seed oil on their skin or in their hair. Certain oils are advertised more for topical use than for consumption, so look at the bottle and the suggested use. Because pumpkin-seed oil can promote hair growth, it is used in many shampoos.
Pumpkin-seed oil should be greenish, but it will take on a reddish appearance in the light. The oil should be viscous and a little thick, but it should still be a liquid, not a solid. If the color or the texture do not match these descriptions, it is possible that the oil was toasted for too long or that low-quality pumpkin seeds were used.
Unless you are intentionally buying a blend of ingredients including pumpkin-seed oil, try to make sure your product is 100% pure oil.
Since supplements are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it is best to buy pumpkin-seed oil from a reputable manufacturer with a lot of positive reviews and no charges of fraud levied against them. Now Foods, for instance, makes various supplements, all of them well-reviewed.
A. They are safe to consume, and they’ve been used in folk medicine for centuries, according to the National Institutes of Health. One thing to note: if you are not used to consuming much fiber and you suddenly start eating a lot of pumpkin seeds, you may experience some gas, bloating or both.
A. No. It has a lot of fiber and unsaturated fatty acids, considered healthy fats that combat high cholesterol. These nutrients actually assist with weight loss, so pumpkin-seed oil can be a great thing to toss into your daily diet.
Maple Holistics Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil
What you need to know: This pumpkin-seed oil is the best choice for consumers who are looking for a natural and organic product that's formulated to be applied topically.
What you’ll love: Made for topical use, this certified organic pumpkin-seed oil hydrates and nourishes the skin, hair and scalp. The formula contains vitamins, biotin, zinc and omega 3 and 6 that improve the appearance and texture of the skin and hair. A dropper is included.
What you should consider: Some people experienced irritation after use, and others didn't like the smell.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This is pumpkin-seed oil in a convenient capsule form from one of the most reputable brands in the world of supplements.
What you’ll love: Other than the soft capsule, there are no other ingredients besides the oil. It is both GMO-free and kosher. It is safe to take up to three times a day.
What you should consider: Some people will be averse to taking a supplement instead of the actual oil.
Where to buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
La Tourangelle Toasted Pumpkin Seed Oil
What you need to know: This is pure pumpkin-seed oil hand-made with high-quality pumpkins from the Styrian region of Austria.
What you’ll love: There are no other ingredients, only pumpkin-seed oil. The pumpkin seeds used are cold-pressed, and no genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are added. It’s great for consumption or topical use.
What you should consider: Some people will not like its smell or taste.
Where to buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
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Stephen Morin writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
