14 Proven Health Benefits of Sunflower Seed that you need know. Moreover, the Sunflower Seed contains properties beneficial for prevent and fight various diseases. Then, check the benefits of Sunflower Seed for health. Like to know what the benefits of Sunflower Seed are? Know the properties of Sunflower Seed: main benefits, nutrients, vitamins and origin.
Sunflower Seeds are a unique food, rich in many types of essential, and sometimes hard to get, nutrients. In fact, Sunflower Seeds make my Top 10 List for foods rich in Vitamin E, copper, B Vitamins like thiamine, phosphorus, selenium, and more.
Sunflower Seeds, like nearly all types of nuts and seeds, provide a healthy source of essential fatty acids; their specific fatty acids are in the form of linoleic acid. Additionally, Sunflower Seeds are also an excellent source of fiber, amino acids (especially tryptophan) which make up the building blocks of proteins, B Vitamins, phytosterols, and more.
Although as a culture we have been led to believe that consuming fat can lead to unwanted weight gain, the opposite is in fact true; consuming healthy fats actually leads to a healthy cardiovascular system, a stable healthy body weight, and reduced levels of body-wide inflammation.
Healthy sources of fats like those found in Sunflower Seeds are actually the building blocks for cell membranes, allow your body to balance hormones, help to slow down absorption of food during meal time so that we can go longer without feeling hungry, and also act as carriers for important fat- soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
By adding healthy sources of fats into your diet, like the polyunsaturated kind that is found in Sunflower Seeds, and replacing trans-fats and low-quality easily oxidized fats, you can experience multiple health benefits. So, check out the tem benefits of Sunflower Seed for our health.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Promote Cellular Formation: Sunflower is a good source of folic acid (folates). The vitamin is essential for the production of new DNA, which is needed for the formation of new cells. Folates constitute an important part of the diet of pregnant women as it promotes healthy neural tube formation, adequate birth weight and proper development of the face, heart, spine and brain of the babies. Hence, Sunflower Seeds, sprouts, and oil are considered highly beneficial for pregnant women.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Relieve Arthritis Symptoms: Some people rely on Sunflower Seeds due to their vitamin E content. This antioxidant vitamin has been directly connected to the reduced symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions throughout the body.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Maintain Skin Health: As mentioned before that Sunflower Seeds are excelent source of Vitamin E. The antioxidant of Vitamin E in Sunflower Seeds do not only protect your heart from disease but also keeping healthy skin. Scientific studies show that Vitamin E or tocopherol has very spesific benefits to skin. It protects the skin from enviromental pollution, infection, also help the healing of wound on skin and act as moisturizer for keep the skin away from dryness. Research also reported a further benefits of Vitamin E in lowering the skin aging or in other words its an anti aging substance that can make your skin looks younger. Just one ounce of Sunflower Seeds provides 76% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin E.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Bone Health: Sunflower Seeds are rich in magnesium which is also necessary for strong bones besides calcium. Most of the magnesium in the body is present in our bones and helps lend bones their physical structure while the rest is located on the surface of the bones where it is stored for the body to be used according to requirement. These seeds also contain copper which is vital for the function of enzymes involved in cross-linking collagen and elastin, thus providing strength and flexibility in bones and joints. Vitamin E is effective in reducing arthritis symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Control Cholesterol: Phytosterols are found in the highest concentrations in Sunflower Seeds and pistachios. They are proven to be a great cholesterol-controlling compound. A handful of these seeds every day can help protect your heart by lowering cholesterol and plaque deposition in the arteries and blood vessels.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Cardiovascular Health: Sunflower Seeds are a great source of vitamin C, which helps in preventing cardiovascular disease. Being an antioxidant, vitamin E prevents free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol. On oxidation, cholesterol sticks to the blood vessel walls and causes atherosclerosis, leading to blocked arteries, heart attack or stroke. A quarter cup of Sunflower Seeds provides over ninety percent of the daily value of vitamin E.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Treat Hypertension: Magnesium plays a key role in the calcium channels of the body, which can have a major impact on electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Nearly 30% of your daily requirement of magnesium is fulfilled by a 1/4th cup of these seeds. Therefore, it can be an excellent remedy for treating the symptoms of hypertension.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Prevent Cancer: Sunflower Seeds have a high content of vitamin E, selenium, and copper that have antioxidant properties. As per research, these antioxidants prevent cellular damage that often leads to cancer. These nutrients prevent cancer by reducing and suppressing cellular damage from oxidants and protecting tissue from oxidant free radical damage. Sunflower Seeds can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer due to their high phytosterol content. They also contain a compound called lignans, which also protects against certain types of cancer. These naturally occurring compounds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, thus preventing colon, prostate and breast cancer.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Improve Mood: Magnesium has been linked to an improvement in mood and temperament. This is one of the minerals present in a moderate concentration within the seeds. If you regularly suffer from anxiety or depression, this might be the snack for you.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Prevent Osteoporosis: Sunflower seed sprouts are the best vegetarian source of protein. Protein helps in repairing the muscle tissue and aids in various enzymatic functions of the body. Protein is also essential for bone development and thus, prevents osteoporosis. This helps in the proper development of bone matrix and also supports bone strength, all your life. Sunflower Seeds can be a good alternative to meat, beef or pork proteins for strict vegetarians.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Hair Loss: Sunflower Seeds also contain vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) which is not only crucial for the absorption of zinc but also has some hair loss preventing properties. These properties can be attributed to the ability of vitamin B6 to boost oxygen supply to the scalp. They are also best dietary sources of copper which is involved in melanin formation. This pigment is responsible for imparting color to your hair.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Mental Health: Sunflower Seeds have a positive effect on your mood by lessening the chances of depression. They contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps produce serotonin, an important neurotransmitter. When serotonin is released in our bodies, it relieves tension, calms the brain and promotes relaxation.
Choline, a compound found in Sunflower Seeds helps in improving memory and cognitive function. Magnesium helps diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and prevents heart attack, soreness, and fatigue. Sunflower Seeds also have high amounts of potassium which helps to counterbalance the effect of sodium in your blood and lowers blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of developing hypertension.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Strengthen the Immune System: Zinc is another essential nutrient required by the body. Sunflower oil contains good amounts of zinc, and it helps maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc is also helpful in the healing of wounds and to maintain the sense of smell and taste.Vitamin E in sunflowers is also helpful in improving the immune system.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds to Control Blood Pressure: Sunflower Seeds and sprouts can give a boost to your antioxidant capacity since they have rich amounts of vitamin E. This vitamin works in tandem with vitamin C and selenium to reduce high blood pressure.