Pumpkin

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Autism symptoms in children³

  In one boy with autism, eating pumpkin and walnuts as part of a healthy diet came with improved symptoms.

• Benefit

  Vitamin A for young children⁵

  In children 6 to 24 months old, under 50 grams of cooked pumpkin a day meets the recommended vitamin A intake.

• Benefit

  Bladder stone risk⁶

  In boys, eating pumpkin seeds lowered signs of bladder stones and changed minerals in their urine.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Gut bacteria balance¹⁵

  In lab studies, pumpkin fiber helped gut bacteria grow in a way that may support a healthier balance.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Disease-fighting properties⁸

  Pumpkin and its parts may have antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, the review reports.

• Benefit

  Long-term disease risk⁹

  Pumpkin and its seeds, peels and pulp contain natural compounds that may help lower the risk of long-term diseases.

• Benefit

  Blood sugar control¹⁰

  Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pulp contain natural compounds that may help keep blood sugar levels under control.

• Open question

  Plant protein for food¹¹

  Pumpkin seed protein is a cheap plant protein with a balanced mix of the amino acids your body needs.

• Benefit

  Long-term disease prevention¹²

  Eating pumpkin seeds with corn and beans may help prevent diseases like diabetes, but scientists do not yet know for sure.

• Benefit

  Heart and gut health¹³

  Pumpkin seeds hold healthy fats, minerals and antioxidants that may support heart and gut health, but human evidence is still limited.

Single cases of misuse or overdose

One person or one incident, such as an accidental overdose or a mistake in a kitchen or factory. They are real, but a single case does not show what happens at normal amounts, so the signal does not count them.

• Seed allergy reaction⁴

  A boy had a severe allergic reaction to pumpkin seed, though he could eat other seeds and pumpkin pulp.

How it’s made and used

• Where pigments are stored⁷

  Pumpkin pulp and peel hold beta-carotene, while the seeds hold lutein and zeaxanthin.

• Nutrient content of seeds¹⁴

  Dried pumpkin seeds contain protein, fat, linoleic acid, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium and potassium.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.