Hands up if you need a good night sleep? Pepitas, the little green centre inside the white shell of the pumpkin seed, are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid that your body converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the “sleep hormone.”
With a wide variety of nutrients ranging from magnesium and manganese to copper, protein and zinc, pepitas are nutritional powerhouses wrapped up in a very small package. They also contain plant compounds known as phytosterols and free-radical scavenging antioxidants, which can give your health an added boost.
Zinc is important to your body in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep, mood, your senses of taste and smell, eye and skin health.
Pepitas, rich in healthy fats, antioxidants and fibres, may provide benefits for heart and liver health as well as reduce inflammation and the risk of diabetes and obesity, particularly when mixed with flax seeds.
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium. Healthy magnesium levels are important for your blood pressure, heart health, bone health and blood sugar levels.
Best of all, because pepitas are highly portable and require no refrigeration, they make an excellent chewy snack when you’re on the go.
For a nutritious breakfast, you can’t go past our fresh and creamy oatmeal at The Market, topped with housemade granola, pepitas and pumpkin seeds and fresh fruit, drizzled with The Brasserie’s wild raw honey.