What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Too Many Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds can be a healthy snack, but consuming too many at once can cause side effects, especially if you eat them with the shells still on. Certain medical conditions, including low blood pressure or an allergy to pumpkin seeds, can increase your risk of side effects. 

1. Stomach Upset 

Eating too much of any specific type of food can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, and pumpkin seeds are no exception. 

Certain characteristics of pumpkin seeds can contribute to the digestive side effects:

• Stomach upset and bloating: Pumpkin seeds are hard and have a tough coating, which can make them difficult for your stomach and intestines to break down and absorb.
• Loose or frequent stools: Pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber, which can help prevent constipation. But too much fiber can potentially lead to diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal discomfort.

2. Weight Gain 

Even though they’re little, pumpkin seeds are full of nutrients, and they have a lot of calories. One cup of whole, roasted pumpkin seeds contains 285 calories.

Sprinkling some of these seeds on your salad or eating a handful can help you meet your daily calorie needs. But—like any other calorie-dense food, eating too much, especially without realizing the high calorie content, can lead to unwanted weight gain.

3. Allergic Reaction 

Some people are allergic to pumpkin seeds. You can be allergic to pumpkin seeds, even if you’re not allergic to pumpkin. The effects of a pumpkin seed allergy reaction can range from mild to severe. If you have an allergy, even a small amount of pumpkin seeds may trigger a reaction.

Symptoms can include:

• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Mouth soreness
• Sore throat
• Runny nose, congestion, cough
• Skin rash
• Swollen lips

In rare cases, an allergic reaction to pumpkin seeds can cause anaphylaxis, a whole-body, life-threatening allergic reaction. 

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid pulse
• Wheezing
• Feeling faint
• Loss of consciousness

If you experience any symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.

If you have been diagnosed with a severe allergy to pumpkin seeds, a primary care provider or an allergist can develop a plan of action in case you accidentally consume pumpkin seeds or start to have symptoms.

4. Low Blood Pressure 

Pumpkin seeds have a chemical property similar to medications for high blood pressure (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor activity) that can lower blood pressure. In moderate amounts, this shouldn’t have an impact on your blood pressure. 

Research in rats has shown that consuming pumpkin seeds can cause hypotension (excessively low blood pressure). While this problem has not been documented in humans, it’s important to be aware that if you already have low blood pressure, you might have a risk of hypotension if you consume an excessive amount of pumpkin seeds.  

5. Bowel Obstruction 

In rare cases, pumpkin seeds have contributed to the formation of a bezoar,which is a lump of material in the digestive system that can’t be broken down by the body.

A bezoar can cause discomfort and block the natural flow of food and stool in the digestive system, potentially leading to a bowel obstruction. A bowel obstruction is more severe than regular constipation and hard stools. Bowel obstruction causes severe pain, fever, and risk of bowel perforation (a hole in the intestines). 

A bezoar or a bowel obstruction can be treated with medication if it’s diagnosed early, and sometimes this problem requires surgical intervention.

Eating the whole pumpkin seeds, along with the shell, increases the risk of bezoar formation. To prevent bowel obstruction, drink fluids when eating hard foods, and consume seeds in moderation. 

6. Reactions to Additives in Preparation 

Pumpkin seeds can be prepared in many ways, such as:

• In a dessert
• Roasted
• Salted
• Caramelized
• Baked
• Ground in seed butter
• In packaged food with preservatives 

The other ingredients and additives in these preparations may cause discomfort or a range of symptoms. If you have experienced any unpleasant side effects from eating pumpkin seeds prepared in a certain way, consider avoiding that type of preparation in the future.