Beyond that, the oil itself appears to have some worthwhile health benefits. “In a 2015 study2 in which saturated fat was replaced with pumpkin seed oil, improvement was noted in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis development,” notes Cording. It’s also been studied for its role as a potential treatment for hair loss in men: A small 2014 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study3 found that a pumpkin seed oil capsule was associated with increased hair growth when compared to a placebo. The specific profile of its fat comes with its own benefits. “Oils such as pumpkin seed oil with a desirable fatty acid profile of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may be beneficial for inflammation, heart health, and maintaining a healthy weight4,” says Samantha Voor, M.S., RDN, and founder of Fresh Plates Nutrition. Simply consuming more healthy fats has its own benefits, according to Cording. “Having adequate dietary fat is essential for normal body functioning such as hormone production, body temperature regulation, and cognitive function, just to name a few,” she says. Because of its high levels of polyunsaturated fat, pumpkin seed oil has a smoke point of 320 degrees, which means it shouldn’t be used in cooking, as that will damage and oxidize the oil. “I tend to recommend using it more as a salad dressing or something used to top off a dish, like drizzling on soup or hummus, since it is best used at low temperatures,” says Cording. She has a great hack, though, for enjoying the flavor in a cooked dish: “Try adding it at the very end,” she says. “For example, roast your veggies in avocado oil or olive oil and then add the pumpkin seed oil when you take it out of the oven.” To keep the fats from oxidizing, it’s best to store your oil in the fridge, especially after it’s opened. Want to try it for yourself? La Tourangelle makes a great option, as does PÖDÖR.
