What Is Pumpkin Seed Oil?

Introduction:

Pumpkin seed oil （pepita oil）is the oil extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin or Cucurbita maxima. The orange-red oil is often promoted as a health supplement. Some people use pumpkin seed oil for hair loss, to relieve symptoms of menopause, or to treat overactive bladder, although scientific evidence for these uses is limited. Pumpkin seed oil may be consumed in liquid or capsule form.

Health Benefits：

Pumpkin seed oil is known to provide phytosterols,3 or compounds that compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system. As a result, cholesterol absorption is blocked. For this reason, some people consume pumpkin seed oil to lower cholesterol and boost heart health.4

Other pumpkin seed oil benefits are widely reported on the internet and by supplement makers. Some of these benefits are backed by clinical studies, although some of the studies were performed on rats, not humans, and other studies are limited in scope. So there is not an extensive body of research into the health benefits of the oil.

Production

Oil from pumpkin seeds is extracted by solvent extraction or by supercritical carbon dioxide methods.Once the oil is obtained, further specific extractions may be done, such as for carotenoids.

How to Prepare

Pumpkin seed oil is a versatile product that can be used in a variety of different recipes. Makers of the oil recommend using it in salad dressings (combined with apple cider vinegar and salt), marinades, drizzled over pasta or roasted vegetables, mixed into dips or creamy salads like potato salad. Some even recommend pouring a small amount of pumpkin seed oil over ice cream. The nutty flavor of the oil imparts a unique taste that some prefer as a treat.

However, according to health sources, the cooking oil is not stable at higher temperatures. Pumpkin seed oil has a smoke point of 320°F or lower, so it should not be used for frying, sautéing, stir-frying, or other forms of cooking.