Which is healthier sunflower or pumpkin seeds?

foodstruct.com - Pumpkin seed vs Sunflower seed - Health impact and Nutrition ...

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Summary

Sunflower seeds are higher in calories, protein, and fats. On the other hand, pumpkin seeds are significantly higher in carbs, including dietary fiber. Sunflower seeds are richer in both vitamins and minerals, especially B complex vitamins, vitamin C, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and iron. Pumpkin seeds contain more vitamin K, zinc, and choline. Both of these seeds have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, blood glucose levels, and cancer cells.

Introduction

Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are popularly consumed as snacks or added to meals, often used interchangeably or mixed together. In this article, we will look at these two seeds individually, compare their nutritional content and impact on health to try and conclude which seed is the best choice.

Classification

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepita, are the edible seeds of certain cultivars of pumpkins and a few other varieties of squash. On the other hand, sunflower seeds are, oddly enough, not true seeds, but actually the fruits of sunflower.

Appearance

Pumpkin and sunflower seeds have distinctly recognizable appearances. Both are flat and oval-shaped with one sharper tip. However, sunflower seeds are smaller and tend to be thicker. The two can also be told apart by their colors. Pumpkin seeds are light green, covered by white husks. Husks of sunflower seeds, depending on variety, can be anywhere in between white and black.

Taste and Use

Both sunflower and pumpkin seeds have a mild nutty taste and can be roasted or mixed with salt to enhance their flavors. These seeds can be used as healthy snacks or as nutritious additions to various meals.

Varieties

The different types of sunflower seeds are divided based on their use. The main two types of sunflower seeds are oilseed and non-oilseed. Oilseed sunflower seeds are higher in oils, smaller in size and usually used to produce sunflower oil and animal feed. Oilseed sunflowers, in turn, depending on their fat content, are divided into three subtypes: high-oleic, linoleic, and mid-oleic. The seeds of non-oilseed variety are also known as confections. These are larger in size and commonly sold as snacks. The varieties of pumpkin seeds depend on the variety of pumpkins in which they grow. Pumpkin seeds grow in specific types of pumpkins called oilseed pumpkins, also known as Styrian pumpkins. These pumpkins have many cultivars, such as Lady Godiva, Kakai, Snackjack, Austria, Gleisdorfer, and others.

Nutrition

The nutritional information below is presented for whole, roasted pumpkin and squash seeds without salt and dried sunflower seed kernels.

Macronutrients and Calories

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds have similar nutritional densities, both being high in nutrients. Sunflower seeds contain 4.7% water, while pumpkin seeds consist of only 4.5% water. One average serving size of sunflower seeds is considered to be equal to one cupful, weighing 46g. Pumpkin seeds have a smaller average serving size, equal to one ounce or 28.35g.

Calories

Both seeds are very high-calorie foods; however, sunflower seeds supply more energy. A 100g serving of sunflower seeds provides 584 calories, while the same serving of pumpkin seeds contains 446 calories.

Protein and Fats

Sunflower seeds are richer in both protein and fats.

The protein found in pumpkin and sunflower seeds is of very high quality, as it includes high levels of all essential amino acids. A hundred gram serving of pumpkin seeds contains 19g of protein, while the same serving size of sunflower seeds has 21g of protein. Sunflower seeds are over two times higher in fats when compared to pumpkin seeds. Both types of seeds are ample in healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, containing smaller amounts of saturated fats.

Carbohydrates

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Compared to sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds contain over two times more carbohydrates. Most of these carbohydrates are made up of dietary fiber. Consequently, pumpkin seeds are significantly richer in dietary fiber.

The main sugar found in sunflower seeds is sucrose.

Vitamins

Sunflower seeds win in this category by a long shot, being significantly richer in most vitamins. These include all B complex vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Pumpkin seeds are relatively higher in vitamin A. Pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin K, which sunflower seeds are absent in (1).

Both sunflower and pumpkin seeds completely lack vitamin D and vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food Pumpkin seed 1 : 9 Sunflower seed Contains more Vitamin A +24% Contains more Vitamin C +366.7% Contains more Vitamin B1 +4252.9% Contains more Vitamin B2 +582.7% Contains more Vitamin B3 +2814.3% Contains more Vitamin B5 +1917.9% Contains more Vitamin B6 +3535.1% Contains more Folate +2422.2% Pumpkin seed Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 4% 0% 0% 1% 9% 12% 6% 4% 9% 7% 0% 0% Sunflower seed Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 3% 704% 0% 5% 370% 82% 157% 68% 311% 171% 0% 0% Contains more Vitamin A +24% Contains more Vitamin C +366.7% Contains more Vitamin B1 +4252.9% Contains more Vitamin B2 +582.7% Contains more Vitamin B3 +2814.3% Contains more Vitamin B5 +1917.9% Contains more Vitamin B6 +3535.1% Contains more Folate +2422.2%

Minerals

Sunflower seeds are also richer in most minerals, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and selenium (1). Sunflower seeds provide over two times more copper and over seven times more phosphorus. Sunflower seeds, without added salt, are also lower in sodium. Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are higher in potassium, zinc, and choline (1). Mineral Comparison Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food Pumpkin seed 2 : 6 Sunflower seed Contains more Potassium +42.5% Contains more Zinc +106% Contains more Calcium +41.8% Contains more Iron +58.6% Contains more Magnesium +24% Contains more Phosphorus +617.4% Contains less Sodium -50% Contains more Copper +160.9% Pumpkin seed Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper 17% 125% 188% 40% 82% 3% 281% 230% Sunflower seed Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper 24% 197% 233% 283% 57% 2% 137% 600% Contains more Potassium +42.5% Contains more Zinc +106% Contains more Calcium +41.8% Contains more Iron +58.6% Contains more Magnesium +24% Contains more Phosphorus +617.4% Contains less Sodium -50% Contains more Copper +160.9%

Glycemic Index

A specific number has not yet been calculated for the glycemic index of sunflower or pumpkin seeds. However, as these foods are low in sugar and high in dietary fiber and fats, their glycemic indices are considered to be low. If you would like to read more about how pumpkin seeds affect blood glucose levels, you can visit our “Pumpkin Seed” page.

Acidity

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The pH values of both sunflower and pumpkin seeds are slightly acidic or close to neutral, equal to 6.3 (2). We can also look at the acidity of foods by considering their potential renal acid load or their PRAL values. The PRAL value represents how much acid or base the given food produces inside the organism. The PRAL value for sunflower seeds has been calculated to be 11.6, making this food acid-producing. Pumpkin seeds, however, have a PRAL value of -14.3, meaning these seeds are alkaline-forming or alkalizing.

Weight Loss & Diets

Despite the fact that sunflower and pumpkin seeds are very high in calories, these seeds can still be a part of healthy weight loss diets, providing dietary fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Of these two foods, pumpkin seeds fit better in a low-calorie and a low-fat diet. On the other hand, sunflower seeds are the better choice for a low-carb diet. Both seeds fit well in a low glycemic index diet. The extract of sunflower seed has been studied to have a beneficial effect on body weight, fat mass, and lipid profile, providing evidence for its use as a natural anti-obesity herbal extract (3). Pumpkin seed oil has been demonstrated to prevent high fat diet-induced obesity in animal studies (4). Sunflower and pumpkin seeds can be used on a keto diet in moderation, as they are low in sugars and high in various healthy nutrients (5).

Seeds are recommended to add to paleo and Mediterranean diets as well.

Health Impact

Health Benefits

Now that we know which healthy nutrients these seeds are rich in, we can look at the exact ways they positively impact our health.

Cardiovascular Health

Sunflower seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. These oils have been found to have a beneficial effect on serum lipids, lowering total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol levels. These positive effects may lead to a decreased risk of atherosclerosis (6). Animal studies have demonstrated sunflower oil’s potential to decrease the risk of arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, and myocardial ischemia (7). Pumpkin seeds have also expressed cardioprotective qualities in animal studies, decreasing total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol levels (8).

Diabetes

Both sunflower and pumpkin seeds have been studied to have protective qualities during hyperglycemic disorders (9). Sunflower seeds can be recommended to people with type 2 diabetes due to their fasting blood glucose lowering activities (10). Pumpkin seeds have hypoglycemic qualities and can assist in maintaining glycemic control due to certain compounds found in them, such as trigonelline, nicotinic acid, and D-chiro inositol (11).

Cancer

Sunflower seeds have been studied to possess chemoprotective qualities, cytotoxic and antioxidant potential due to a high content of flavonoids and phenolics (12). Pumpkin seed extract has demonstrated cell growth-inhibiting effects on colon, breast, and prostate cancers (13).

Downsides and Risks

Pro-oxidative Effects

Studies have found that excessive amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids from sunflower oils may have more of a negative impact than a positive one, leading to high oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species, despite the large amounts of antioxidants (6). This shows that sunflower seed consumption should be moderated to achieve beneficial results.

References

foodstruct.com - Pumpkin seed vs Sunflower seed - Health impact and Nutrition ...

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