food, Food & Nutrition, Healthy Snacks, Weight Loss
8 Super Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds | Possible
Jul
Medically reviewed by Darshita Thakkar, Nutrition Training and Quality Manager for PAN India
Sunflower seeds are rich in good fats which improve overall health. It helps in preventing heart disease. Promotes detoxification of the body leading to a healthy weight. It is rich in proteins which help in keeping your joints strong and aid in weight loss.
Looking for a healthy snack? Munch on to those lightly toasted super beneficial sunflower seeds today and every day.
A handful of this mild tasting nutty seeds is one of the health-promoting snacks easy to consume anytime and readily available in the market.
1. Improve cholesterol levels
Sunflower seeds are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are known for reducing LDL levels known as bad cholesterol.
High cholesterol levels often increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sunflower seeds are also rich in fiber, which helps to promote bile excretion in feces and a corresponding reduction in overall cholesterol.
2. Help in controlling blood sugar
These seeds are loaded with fiber which slows down the absorption of blood sugar into the blood. The mineral magnesium found in sunflower seeds helps to improve insulin sensitivity.
3. Detoxify the body
Sunflower seeds are rich in Selenium, which is an important mineral that helps in the removal of waste material from the body. Selenium helps in the maintenance of the body’s strongest natural antioxidant glutathione.
Selenium has also been shown to help stimulate the repair of damaged cells owing to the action of toxins on them.
4. Support skin and hair health
Vitamin E helps in maintaining skin and hair health in our body. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of it. Vitamin E reduces oxidative damage to skin cells caused by UV rays and helps the skin to look youthful.
Vitamin E benefits the hair and nails as well. Vitamin E keeps hair looking youthful and rich, adding volume and bounce.
Sunflower seeds also promote blood flow to the scalp to stimulate the growth of new hair. This can be attributed to the mineral calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron which stimulates the production of new blood cells.
5. Promote good mood and restful sleep
The high magnesium content in these seeds has beneficial effects on mood, helping to improve brain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter strongly determinant of our mood.
It also helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in high amounts inhibits the neurotransmitters responsible for a good mood.
Sunflower seeds are also rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that helps to bring about restful sleep and relaxation at night.
6. Sunflower Seeds protein rich
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of protein containing as much as 40% of your recommended daily intake in a single 100g serving.
Though the protein found in sunflower seeds are not complete in the sense that they do not have all the essential amino acids required in your diet yet they are an excellent way to achieve your daily protein requirements.
7. Good for managing weight
These little black seeds contain nutrients that are conducive for weight loss, including those such as fiber and the B vitamins.
Fiber adds bulk in the stomach, slowing down glucose absorption and keeping you full for longer, while the B vitamins help to ensure macronutrients are broken down in a more efficient fashion.
Both of these help in the weight loss process, and can help keep energy levels high while calories are restricted.
8. Can help manage hypertension
Sunflower seeds contain powerful minerals that help to regulate blood pressure, which is calcium, potassium, and magnesium, each of which plays a beneficial role in keeping blood pressure in normal ranges.
Considering these 8 super health benefits sunflower seeds got to offer you, you must make it a ritual to include them in your daily diet.
QUICK BYTES
1] How does eating sunflower seeds help my body?
Sunflower seeds are a rich source of good fats, protein and antioxidants that have highly beneficial impact on your body. You are able to manage weight and lower LDL, and prevent heart diseases.
2] How much sunflower seeds can I eat daily?
You can sprinkle about half a fistful of sunflower seeds on your salad or on your morning porridge. You can also toast some and munch on them as a snack.
3] Can eating sunflower seeds help in weight loss?
Since it is rich in proteins, it keeps you fuller longer when you eat sunflower seeds as a snack. It is a superfood that helps in weight loss.
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hi Ahmad! nice article. my attention was focused more on #7 which has to do with weight loss since that is my primary focus for now. I do not consume sunflower seed that much. I will consider it henceforth. I see you as an authority in the health-related matter and hence I would love your opinion on a program on weight loss I found here. Looking forward to your input. Thank you.
Hi Francls! We are glad that you like our article and thank you for the valuable feedback on 8 super benefits on sunflower seeds. keep following our blog to know such more weight-loss programs.
Hiya, This is a lovely website, thank you for the detailed recipe for the great blog recipe.
Hi Mauras! We thank you for sharing your feedback towards our blog. Keep following our blog to know more health information.