by
Stepy —
September 9, 2018
- Are you looking for a healthy snack that is delicious and fun to eat? Sunflower seeds fit that description. These seeds are available all throughout the year and come in a shell that can be cracked with your hand. They are also available without the shells. These little seeds are packed with benefits.
- Lets look at the health benefits of sunflower seeds.
- Anti-inflammatory properties:
- Sunflower seeds are packed with vitamin E, providing 49mg per cup, which is a whopping 245% of the recommended daily value. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant, neutralizing the free radicals that cause damage to cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol. By protecting these structures in the body, vitamin E also protects the body from inflammation.
- Chronic inflammation is considered a major risk factor for chronic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and some types of cancers.
- Lower cholesterol:
- Sunflower seeds are rich in phytosterols, which are compounds found in nature that are similar in structure to cholesterol. When good amounts of phytosterols are included in the diet, they have shown the ability to reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry compared levels of phytosterols in common nuts and seeds. Of all the nuts that are typically used as snack foods, sunflower seeds ranked among the top with 270-289 mg per 100 grams.
- Rich in Magnesium:
- Sunflower seeds are a great source of magnesium, with 171 mg per cup, which is 43% of the recommended daily value. Magnesium has shown benefits in the areas of managing blood pressure, reducing severity of asthma, and preventing heart attack and stroke. Magnesium is also essential for bone health and energy.
- Rich in Selenium:
- Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of selenium, providing 106 mcg per cup, which is an impressive 151% of the recommended daily value.
- Selenium is a crucial nutrient to our health and has shown the ability to repair DNA in damaged cells and inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.
- Skin and hair health:
- Sunflower seeds are a good source of copper, which is excellent for promoting healthy skin and hair. Our bodies use copper to produce melanin, which helps give our skin and hair its colors.
- Melanin also helps absorb ultraviolet rays, protecting our skin from sun damage.
- For the health benefits of chia seeds.
- For the health benefits of flaxseeds.
- Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
- REFERENCES:
- 1. “Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Seeds, Sunflower Seed Kernels, Oil Roasted, with Salt Added.” Self Nutrition Data. Self Nutrition Data, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
- 2. “Phytosterol Composition of Nuts and Seeds Commonly Consumed in the United States.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
