The Wonder Seed: Top Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds
Numerous studies suggest that people who eat seeds and nuts are at a lower risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and other serious health problems. Maybe you have heard about the health benefits of peanuts, almonds and pistachios, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and the like. How about sunflower seeds? Turns out it is a nutritional powerhouse too!
Every seed of sunflower is packed with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin B6, manganese, tryptophan, magnesium, copper, selenium, phosphorus and folate. All these nutrients play an important role in maintaining your health and building your immunity against various diseases.
Major Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds
Anti-inflammatory
Being a great source of vitamin E, a primary fat-soluble antioxidant, sunflower seeds have anti-inflammatory effects that reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions in which inflammation has a big role to play. Vitamin E has also been shown to lower the risk of colon cancer, prevent the development of health problems or complications resulting from diabetes, and decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women.
Reduced Cholesterol
Sunflower seeds contain phytosterols – plant-based compounds that are believed to help lower the bad cholesterol in the blood, enhance immune system function, and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Of the nuts and seeds that are typically consumed as snack foods, pistachios and sunflower seeds have the highest levels of phytosterols.
Improved Muscle & Nerve Function
Numerous studies have shown that magnesium could help lower high blood pressure, prevent migraine headaches, and reduce the severity of asthma as well as the risk of heart attack and stroke. This mineral also counterbalances calcium, helping regulate nerve and muscle tone.
Improved Detoxification
Sunflower seeds are a good source of selenium – a trace mineral that is known to play a major role in human health. Selenium has been shown to aid in DNA damage repair, which in turn inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. This mineral also helps in apoptosis – the process in which the body eliminates abnormal cells that could develop into cancerous cells.
Healthy Skin & Hair
Because it contains copper, consuming sunflower seed regularly helps you develop a young-looking skin and healthy hair. Just an ounce of sunflower seeds contains whopping 512mg of copper which is 50 per cent the recommended daily intake! Copper is involved in the production of melanin, a compound that gives your hair and skin their nice healthy colours.
Adding sunflower seeds in your regular diet is easy. You can eat them in their raw form, or sprinkle them on your salad, breakfast cereal, oatmeal, yoghurt and other favourite foods. You can soak the seeds in water and combine them with your pureed soup. You can also use sunflower seed oil as an alternative to regular palm or vegetable cooking oil. Aside from its health benefits, the seed also adds a special flavour and texture to the food. Yum!
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