Pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, zinc, and iron. But those minerals can be tough to access when the seeds are whole.

Grinding the seeds can unlock nutrients that your body might otherwise miss. Eating ground pumpkin seeds may also be easier to digest and give your gut health a boost.

1. You’ll Absorb More Minerals

Grinding pumpkin seeds "allows digestive enzymes better access to the seed’s interior, improving nutrient absorption and supporting easier digestion," said Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, a cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com.

Pumpkin seeds also contain phytic acid , an "anti-nutrient" that can bind to minerals and make them harder to absorb.

Grinding them—particularly when combined with soaking or roasting—can lower phytic acid levels and

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