Can luffa seeds be eaten

Silk melon seeds are generally not recommended for direct consumption as they may pose health risks. Silk gourd seeds contain trace toxins and a hard shell, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or mechanical damage.

Loofah seeds are mature seeds of the gourd family plant Loofah, with a hard outer shell and a small amount of cucurbitacin substances. These substances may have reduced toxicity after high-temperature cooking, but raw food or improper handling may still irritate the digestive tract mucosa, leading to symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain. The physical properties of seed shells can also easily scratch the esophagus or intestines, especially for children and people with weaker digestive function, with a higher risk. There is a folk practice of stir frying shredded melon seeds before consumption, but it requires complex processing such as professional shelling and high-temperature baking. It is difficult for ordinary families to completely remove toxins and shell fragments, and its nutritional value is not superior to common nuts. From a safety perspective, it is more recommended to purchase food grade melon seed products that have undergone food safety testing through legitimate channels.

It is recommended to choose safer seed foods such as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds in daily diet. If symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea occur due to accidentally eating sunflower seeds, seek medical attention promptly to assess the risk. Special groups such as pregnant women and patients with digestive system diseases need to be more cautious and avoid trying unconventional ingredients on their own.