24/02/2022
Pumpkin seeds are extremely rich in magnesium. Blood magnesium levels are an important factor in the immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells.
According to the journal Cell, researchers from the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel in Switzerland recently reported that a special type of immune cells—called cytotoxic T cells or “killer” T cells—require enough magnesium to work efficiently. Swiss scientists have discovered that these cells can only destroy and eliminate cancer cells in the presence of magnesium.
How often and how many pumpkin seeds can you eat to reap the benefits?
1 oz (30 grams) of pumpkin seeds provides over 50% of your daily magnesium requirement. It is, therefore, best to eat 1 to 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds at least three times a week, for example, as a topping with a salad.
The other 50% can be obtained from other foods such as oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, nuts, spinach, and avocado. Preferably always use natural food.
And remember, pumpkin seeds are not a panacea; if your diet is otherwise very unhealthy, you will notice fewer benefits, and pumpkin seeds won’t be able to protect you against cancer cell growth.