Sunflowers are famous worldwide for their long stalks, bright petals, and overall cheery disposition. However, have you ever given any thought to sunflower seeds? These small black seeds make for a great snack, and they have tons of health benefits. So, here are five health benefits of sunflower seeds that will make you want to include them in your everyday diet.
Health Benefits of Eating Sunflower Seeds
Found right in the center of the sunflower heads, the seeds are easy to harvest and prepare. Moreover, the nutritional value of sunflower seeds is brilliant. Some of the nutrients in sunflower seeds include sodium, dietary fiber, proteins, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B-6.
Despite their small size, they pack a powerful punch of sunflower health benefits, and accordingly, they are often known as a superfood. Here are all the benefits of these seeds.
1. Anti-inflammatory Benefits
Short-term inflammation is often the body’s natural immune response to an infection or virus. However, if you suffer from any chronic inflammation, eating the best sunflower seeds can help.
The seeds contain vitamin E, flavonoids, and other compounds that offer many inflammatory benefits for the body. According to one study, people who consumed sunflower seeds at least five times a week witnessed reduced levels of inflammation compared to those who did not.
Over time, constant inflammation can cause the immune system to attack the healthy cells and tissues in the body, and if left untreated, it can lead to diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and more. Therefore, eating sunflowers seeds regularly can protect you from other chronic diseases as well.
2. Improves Cardiac Health
One of the biggest enemies of your heart and the overall cardiac system is fats. More specifically, saturated fats are pretty dangerous for your heart. They lead to increased LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, increasing the chances of strokes and other heart diseases.
This is why sunflowers seeds are so good for your heart, as they primarily contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. These help lower high cholesterol levels and prevent high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, sunflower seeds are also perfect for lowering blood pressure. They contain magnesium which aids in controlling blood pressure, and they release a specific compound that prevents the blood vessels from constricting in the body.
3. Boosts Immunity
Sunflower seeds are also great for the immune system. Our immune system is vital, especially during current times, as it helps the body fight viruses, bacteria, and other infections. However, sometimes it could do with a little bit of support, and sunflower seeds are excellent for this purpose.
They contain zinc and selenium, two essential nutrients that boost immunity and provide other health benefits. Zinc helps maintain the normal function of the immune system and helps it develop new immune cells as well.
Furthermore, zinc also acts as an excellent antioxidant and helps fight free radicals in the body. Selenium also helps boost immunity. It enables the body to fight inflammation and produces the proper response to infections and other diseases.
Besides that, selenium also promotes mental health and helps prevent certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
4. Boosts Energy Levels
Sunflowers seeds make for a great snack in your daily diet as they help boost energy levels. They are packed with many vitamins and nutrients, specifically vitamin B, which helps convert food into energy. As a result, the seeds keep you energized all day long.
Moreover, the selenium in the seeds helps improve blood flow in the body, resulting in the proper distribution of oxygen, leaving you feeling active and energized.
5. Pregnancy Benefits
Sunflower seeds are great for pregnant women and even those who are looking to get pregnant. A healthy and balanced diet is crucial for a safe and healthy pregnancy, and sunflower seeds are one way to achieve that.
The seeds are also full of vitamin E, zinc, and folate, crucial for prenatal health. Vitamin E also helps give you that radiant pregnancy glow. Other than that, there are a lot of sunflower seeds benefits for male fertility as well.
Wrapping Up
The best part is that there are multiple ways to eat these seeds. You can have them as is or turn them into a tasty snack by adding a bit of salt and other seasonings. You can include them in your salads or bake them into a cake. You can even plant the seeds and eat the sprouts. Sunflower sprout nutrition contains various amino acids, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A, E, D, and more.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a 12 pack of sunflowers seeds for yourself now!
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