Prostate Restored
Photo by Vie Studio Pexels Logo Photo: Vie Studio

Can raw pumpkin seeds make you sick?

It's generally considered safe to eat raw pumpkin seeds, although it's possible to have an allergic reaction to or get food poisoning from the snack.

livestrong.com - Are Pumpkin Seeds Poisonous? | livestrong
What can flare up prostatitis?
What can flare up prostatitis?

What Triggers Prostatitis Flare-Ups? Research on men's health states that depression and psychological stress are closely related to chronic pelvic...

Read More »
Last updated Feb 4, 2018
How can I get super hard without pills?
How can I get super hard without pills?

How to get a harder erection Diet. Exercise. Communicate. Explore. Limit alcohol. Sleep. Reduce stress. Limit smoking. More items... • Aug 7, 2020

Read More »
Last updated Feb 15, 2022

Pumpkin seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch, which is why they're great to eat raw, sprouted or cooked. While the dangers of pumpkin seeds are minimal, there are some situations where the snack may affect your health. Tip It's generally considered safe to eat raw pumpkin seeds, although it's possible to have an allergic reaction to or get food poisoning from the snack.

Are Raw Pumpkin Seeds Good for You?

Short answer? Yes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Video of the Day

Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), pumpkin seeds are rich in a variety of essential nutrients that your body needs to function at its best. For instance, a 1-ounce serving contains:

​ Calories: ​ 158

​ 158 ​ Protein: ​ 8.6 g

​ 8.6 g ​ Fat: ​ 13.9 g

​ 13.9 g ​ Carbs: ​ 3 g ​ Fiber: ​ 1.7 g

​ 3 g ​ Iron: ​ 2.5 mg

​ 2.5 mg ​ Magnesium: ​ 168 mg

​ 168 mg ​ Zinc: ​ 2.2 mg

​ 2.2 mg ​Manganese:​ 1.3 mg

You can eat unshelled or shelled raw seeds or roast them for a toasty snack. You can also try sprouted pumpkin seeds, which are a potent source of additional vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Potential Side Effects of Eating Pumpkin Seeds

While there are no specific dangers of pumpkin seeds, it is possible to have a bad reaction to them if you're allergic or eat a contaminated batch.

Here are the potential bad effects of eating pumpkin seeds.

1. Digestive Trouble

Pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber. While that's an important part of a well-rounded diet, too much of the nutrient could give you digestive issues including:

Gas

Bloating

Constipation

Diarrhea

Stomach cramping

So, how much is too much? Stick to the USDA-recommended serving size of 1 ounce to avoid potential digestive upset.

2. Food Poisoning

Sprouted pumpkin seeds — along with other sprouted seeds — pose a risk of foodborne illness, per the Cleveland Clinic. Though they're not inherently poisonous or toxic, sprouts grow in warm, moist conditions that can allow disease-causing bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli to flourish.

Nausea

What is the strongest form of love?
What is the strongest form of love?

Agape — Selfless Love. Agape is the highest level of love to offer. It's given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 26, 2018
Which tea is best for lowering blood pressure?
Which tea is best for lowering blood pressure?

Tea to lower blood pressure Some of the best teas for high blood pressure include chamomile, lavender, rose, and hibiscus. These teas are known for...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 19, 2020

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Fever

How Do You Know if Pumpkin Seeds Are Bad? Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if pumpkin seeds are bad just by looking at them. Instead, the best way to avoid food poisoning from bad pumpkin seeds is to cook the sprouts to kill any potentially dangerous bacteria, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

3. Allergic Reaction

A pumpkin or pumpkin seed allergy can also lead to uncomfortable symptoms minutes or hours after you eat the seeds, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A tingly or itchy mouth

Skin rashes like hives or eczema

Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat

Congestion

Wheezing or trouble breathing

Digestive issues like abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting

Dizziness

Warning Some people can have an extreme allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, where your throat closes up and makes it difficult to breathe, per the Mayo Clinic. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

4. Decreased Mineral Absorption

Raw pumpkin seeds contain anti-nutrients like phytic acid, which are natural substances that may decrease your absorption of beneficial minerals, per April 2013 research in the ​Journal of Food Science and Technology​. That said, the amount of phytic acid you get from eating pumpkin seeds as one part of a balanced diet is unlikely to mess with your overall nutrition, per a September 2020 review in ​Nutrients​. In fact, the review notes that phytic acid may even have antioxidant properties that protect your cells from damage. Soaking seeds in water and then baking them can also help reduce phytic acid, according to the ​Journal of Food Science and Technology​.

Advertisement

livestrong.com - Are Pumpkin Seeds Poisonous? | livestrong
Is it OK to eat chocolate right before bed?
Is it OK to eat chocolate right before bed?

Don't Eat: Chocolate Even though chocolate doesn't contain much of the stuff, even a little caffeine can disturb or halt the sleep-inducing...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 19, 2022
Is Spaghetti OK for kidney?
Is Spaghetti OK for kidney?

Pastas and noodles are actually good for CKD patients, especially since they can fit a renal healthy diet (also check our useful guide on pizza for...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 20, 2019
What natural things are good for prostate?
What natural things are good for prostate?

Natural remedies for an enlarged prostate Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) Saw palmetto is a palm native to the southeastern United States. ... Rye...

Read More »
Last updated Feb 6, 2020
What is the best position to sleep in with high blood pressure?
What is the best position to sleep in with high blood pressure?

Sleeping on the left side is the best sleeping position for hypertension because it relieves blood pressure on blood vessels that return blood to...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 18, 2020