Pumpkin seed oil

Definition

Pumpkin seed oil is a green to brown oil pressed from the seeds of Cucurbita pepo winter squash. Pumpkin seed oil is generally sold unrefined.

Health considerations

Pumpkin seed oil, on average, is composed primarily of the polyunsaturated linoleic fatty acid and monounsaturated oleic fatty acid, as well as palmitic, stearic, and other fatty acids to a lesser extent. Pumpkin seed oil contains protective phenolic compounds, a high level of antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamin E. There is some evidence from animal studies that pumpkin seed oil may be beneficial in managing precancerous growth of prostate tissue.

Keep in mind

Pumpkin seed oil may be made from a variety of pumpkin cultivars, whose seed oil profiles vary somewhat.

May be found in

Pumpkin seeds, salad dressings, sold as is

References

European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology
Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society
Journal of Medicinal Food
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Nutrition Research and Practice

Alternative Spellings and Names

Pepita oil, pumpkin oil