Pepita 2220157 225638019 2008-07-14T17:56:22Z MCB 360638 Reverted to revision 220396718 by [[Special:Contributions/90.192.59.97|90.192.59.97]]; explained, yes; sourced, no. Don't remove a {{fact}} tag unless you provide a citation.. ([[WP:TW|TW]]) {{for|the ship formerly named ''Pepita''|Maria Asumpta}}A '''pepita''' (from [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ''pepita de calabaza'', "little seed of squash") is an edible [[seed]] of a [[pumpkin]] or other [[cultivar]] of [[squash]] ([[genus]] ''[[Cucurbita]]''), typically rather flat and [[Oval|asymmetrically oval]], and light green in color inside a white [[Husk|hull]]. The word can refer either to the hulled kernel or unhulled whole seed, and most commonly refers to the [[Roasting|roasted]] end product. The pressed oil of the roasted seeds of a specific pumpkin variety is also used in [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]]an cuisine. They are a popular ingredient in Mexican cooking and are also roasted and served as a snack<ref name="Pepitas"> [http://greatgrub.com/recipes/pepitas_roasted_pumpkin_seeds Pepita Preparation]</ref>. They are often simply called '''pumpkin seeds''' in [[English language|English]], and (marinated and roasted) are an autumn seasonal favorite in the rural [[United States]], as well as a commercially produced and distributed packaged snack, like [[sunflower seeds]], available year-round. Pepitas are known by their Spanish name, and typically salted and sometimes spiced after roasting (and today also available as a packaged product), in [[Mexico]] and other [[Latin America]]n countries, and the [[American Southwest]]. In these parts of the world, they have been eaten since at least the time of the [[Aztecs]]{{Fact|date=February 2008}} and probably much earlier, since squash was one of the three earliest [[Domestication|plant domesticates]] in the [[Western Hemisphere]], along with [[maize]] (corn) and [[common bean]]s (collectively the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] agricultural "[[Three Sisters (agriculture)|Three Sisters]]", originating in Mexico). As an ingredient in [[Mole (sauce)|mole]] dishes, they are known in Spanish as ''pipian''. These seeds can be found in specialty and Mexican food stores. == Nutritional value and health benefits == Pepitas are a healthy snack food choice with some studies reporting that five to ten grams daily could help prevent kidney stones.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Furthermore, claims have been made that pepitas help deter parasites, such as tapeworms. They also can have a profound, positive effect on urine flow in some males. {{Fact|date=February 2008}} The seeds are also good sources of [[iron]] (25 grams can provide about 20 per cent of the recommended daily iron intake), [[zinc]], [[polyunsaturated fatty acids]] (including the [[essential fatty acid]]s [[Omega-3 fatty acid|omega-3]] and [[Omega-6 fatty acid|omega-6]]), [[potassium]], and [[magnesium]].<ref name="whfoods" /> As with all oily foods, overconsumption can contribute to weight gain. Lightly roasted seeds provide better nutrition than dark ones, as excessive heat destroys some of their nutritive value.<ref name="LI">[http://health.learninginfo.org/herbs/pumpkin-seeds.htm The Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> === Pumpkin seeds in particular === The seeds (and seed oil, ''see [[#Pumpkin seed oil|below]]'') of pumpkins, such as ''[[Cucurbita bepo]]'' varieties and ''[[Cucurbitae semen]]'', have been subject to a great deal of research (especially into the treatment of [[prostate]] ailments)<ref name="prostatenote">''See [[Pumpkin seed oil#References]] for extensive medical journal citations.''</ref> and have been shown to be especially rich in [[steroidal compounds]],<ref name="AltMed">''Alternative Medicine'' Magazine, January 2008, Issue 103, page 16.</ref> in addition to their nutritrional value. One gram of pumpkin seed protein contains as much [[L-tryptophan]] as a full glass of milk, making it of interest to researchers studying the treatment of [[anxiety disorder]]s.<ref name="WMHC">"[http://www.whitbymentalhealthcentre.ca/newsOct15.htm New Study Demonstrates Treatment of Anxiety Disorders using Pumpkin Seed]"</ref> Some eat the seeds as preventative measure against onset of anxiety attacks, [[clinical depression]] and other mood disorders. Some studies have also found pumpkin seeds to prevent [[arteriosclerosis]] (hardening of the arteries) and to regulate [[cholesterol]] levels in the body. ==Pumpkin extract helps pancreatitis and diabetics== According to research carried out in China July 2007, East China Normal University suggests that compounds found in the fruit successfully promote the regeneration of damaged [[pancreatic]] cells in [[diabetic]] rats, thereby boosting the levels of [[insulin]] in their blood. Tao Xia, the leader of the research team, said: "Pumpkin extract is potentially a very good product for pre-diabetic people, as well as those who already have diabetes." Injections may possibly still be necessary, but treatment with an extract from the fruit would dramatically reduce the amount of insulin needed, he added. Diabetes affects more than 230 million people, almost six per cent of the world's population.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1556891/Pumpkin-may-cut-injections-for-diabetes.html</ref> ==== Pumpkin seed oil ==== {{Main|Pumpkin seed oil}} [[Pumpkin seed oil|The oil of pumpkin seeds]], a culinary specialty in (and important export commodity of) [[Central European cuisine]] as a [[salad]] oil and (although this destroys its essential fatty acids<ref name="LI" />) a cooking oil, is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and various other ailments, both in [[folk medicine]] and in modern medical practice and research. Long an Eastern European folk remedy for the [[prostate]] problems of men, the oil has in fact been shown to improve symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate due to [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]]. Components in pumpkin seed oil appear to interrupt the triggering of prostate cell multiplication by [[testosterone]] and [[DHT]]. It is questionable whether eating the seeds whole in snack quantities,rather than taking therapeutic doses of the concentrated oil, would provide any prostate benefit.<ref name="whfoods">[http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82#healthbenefits World's Healthiest Foods]</ref><ref name="prostatenote" /><ref name="AltMed" /> The oil is also of research interest in the treatment of [[Clinical depression]] and other disorders responsive to tryptophan at larger doses than can be practicably provided by whole seeds. Further, pumpkin seed oil (and possibly also the seeds) may lower the risk of certain types of kidney stones.<ref name="AltMed" /> In [[Germany|German]] folk medicine, the oil is also used to quell parasitic infestations such as tapeworms. == References == <references/> == See also == * [[List of edible seeds]] [[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]] [[Category:Mexican cuisine]] [[es:Pepita de calabaza]] [[vec:MegoĊ‚ete]]