Sunflower Seeds – The Health Benefits
If you are looking for a healthy snack that will saturate you but at the same time will fulfill your body with nutrients, sunflower seeds are your best choice.
Available, economical and practical, the sunflower seeds are all healthy snacks that will flood you with vitamins and minerals and will protect your body.
Sunflower seeds are a gift from the sunflower flower that produces gray-green or black seeds in the shape of a tear that often have black or white stripes. These seeds have high oil content, therefore, sunflower seeds are the main sources of oil production.
Sunflower facts
Before we mention how the sunflower seeds affect our health, we will apply the nutrients in the 35gr. (or ¼ cup) of sunflower seeds:
Energy 204kcal, proteins 7.27g, carbohydrates 7g, fat 18.01g, fiber 3.01g, vitamin E 12.31mg, copper 0.63mg, vitamin B1 0.52mg, manganese 0.68mg, selenium 18.55g, phosphorus 231mg, magnesium 113.75mg, vitamin B6 0.47 mg, folic acid 79.45 mg, vitamin B3 2.92 mg.
Anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular advantages
Sunflower seed contains two nutrients that improve the cardiovascular system – vitamin E and folic acid. A quarter of a glass of sunflower seed contains more than 60% of the daily requirement of vitamin E. This essential vitamin plays an important antioxidant function and can help reducing the risk of early death from cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E helps in neutralizing of free radicals to protect brain health and cell membranes against redness or swelling.
In addition, folic acid helps the cardiovascular system from birth to old age. Homocysteine, an indicator of cardiovascular problems, is metabolized in methionine, amino acid. Folic acid and essential fatty acids that are naturally found in sunflower seeds are clearly helping in the health of the cardiovascular system.
“The mono- and polyunsaturated fats in sunflower seeds show a clear health benefit, especially related to heart health and risk of cardiovascular disease,” says registered dietitian Alissa Rumsey.
Sunflower seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps on preserving moisture on the skin and prevent its drying, increases its elasticity and firmness. Omega-3 fatty acids from sunflower enhance the texture of the skin and prevent the appearance of skin pigmentation and alleviate wrinkles.
One study found that the skin of people who consumed only 2 grams of sunflower seeds daily for period of 6 weeks is significantly improved, acne scars and other skin problems (blemishes and other skin irritations) disappeared. Their skin became more elastic, softer, brighter and younger.
Large source of magnesium
Deficiency of magnesium can lead to a number of health problems affecting the cardiovascular, nervous and immune system. The muscles and skeletal system also need magnesium for proper function. A quarter cup provides more than 25% of the recommended daily dose of magnesium, which will give protection to your brain, heart, muscles and more.
There is an additional bonus of magnesium in sunflower seeds, which helps with healthy mood. Namely, more than 100 years ago, magnesium sulphate was given to patients who suffered from depression. His success, as well as his safety, provided him with an option in such treatment. Today magnesium plays an essential role in homeopathic therapy for mental health.
Selenium; powerful antioxidant and excellent protection of thyroid health
Sunflower seeds contains selenium, an essential nutrient. Studies have found that it plays a role as antioxidant and helps to reduce redness and swelling in the body. Recently it has been identified as a key role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones. Selenium is also known for its ability to induce the repair of DNA damaged cells.
Among other substances, sunflower also contains inulin, which acts against throat pain, hoarseness, bronchitis, inflammation of the lungs and other infections of the bronchi and lungs. Tincture of sunflower dissolved in water is used to rinse the mouth during inflammation of the throat and tonsils.
All of this is more than enough reasons to include sunflower seeds in your daily diet, whether in the form of snacks, raw, baked with a little spices, additions to salads, dishes or in the form of prawns and butter, they will be your protector of health and will saturate your stomach.