Overactive bladder (OAB) affects about 1 in 3 women. About 17 percent of women over 18 years old experience it, and so even though the symptoms advance with age, it’s by no means just an affliction of the elderly. You might know it by its hallmark symptoms: really strong, frequent urges to go to the bathroom, waking up in the middle of the night to pee (also known as nocturia), and peeing more than eight times a day.
There are plenty of solutions to help mitigate the symptoms (including bladder training, dietary restrictions, and prescription drugs). But recent studies actually show that pumpkin seeds are also an effective method for maintaining bladder control.
You probably don’t think about pumpkin seeds too often: Maybe you roast them occasionally or add them to granola, or experience them as pepitas in Latin-American food. Or maybe you just scoop them out of your jack-o-lantern in October and dump them in the trash. But pumpkin seeds are an ancient antidote to a number of bladder-control and urinary troubles, dating back to use in the 16th century in Europe and even earlier by Native Americans. Recent studies corroborate those ancient remedies, showing that pumpkin seed oil significantly decreases bladder control issues in patients with OAB.
How do pumpkin seeds contribute to bladder control?
What’s so magical about pumpkin seeds, then? It turns out that the little guys are chock-full of vitamins, linoleic acid, oleic acid, microelements, and zinc, magnesium, and other minerals—which are all generally good for your body but are especially useful when it comes to bladder control.
Here are some of the ways that pumpkin seeds have been proven to improve bladder control:
- Pumpkin seed oil decreases the number of times people with OAB have to pee
- Pumpkin seeds help rebuild estrogen in the bladder (which, when lost due to menopause, for instance, confuses the bladder and leads to the constant urge), reducing OAB symptoms by 79 percent in one study
- Some pumpkin seed extracts promote tissue building, which strengthens the pelvic floor
- A mixture of pumpkin seed extract and soybean extract were shown to significantly reduce UI symptoms and nocturia in perimenopausal women
- Pumpkin seed oil increases the body’s production of nitric oxide, which is necessary to limit the bladder’s activity and maintain appropriate bladder control
Not only does this superfood contribute to bladder control in women, but pumpkin seeds also help mitigate prostate issues in men and also help promote bladder health in people experiencing irritation and other pee-related problems.
One thing to note, though, is that pumpkin seeds are not recommended for pregnant women looking for bladder control solutions. They’re not necessarily harmful, but there simply isn’t enough information yet about their effects on pregnancy—but stay tuned!
Where can I find pumpkin seeds for bladder control?
The nice thing about pumpkin seeds is that they’re easy to access and certainly don’t require a prescription or a doctor’s visit. You can buy pumpkin seeds at any grocery store (check the nut aisle or the produce section), and they can be eaten raw or roasted, with or without the husk. You can also buy straight-up pumpkin seed oil in caplet form at any pharmacy, or products like AZO Bladder Control, which incorporate pumpkin seed extract.
If you just want to add bladder control as a perk of your daily snacking regimen, though, pumpkin seeds are a great way to go. Here’s a list of 12 recipes using pumpkin seeds, from easy granola and trail mix to more ambitious soups and casseroles.