by Kelley Herring
For centuries, pumpkin seeds have been used in the Ukraine, Turkey and Bulgaria to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) - enlargement of the prostate.
Recent research shows that powerful compounds in pumpkin seeds called curcurbitacins may be to credit. These phytonutrients may prevent some transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which stimulates growth of the prostate.
But the benefits don't end there. Pumpkin seeds also contain as much as eight milligrams of zinc per half cup serving. This important mineral zinc has been shown to reduce the size of the prostate and is an important factor in preventing the transformation of normal prostate cells to malignant ones.
Try toasted pumpkin seeds as a snack and enjoy these delicious dishes made with this tiny but might seed.