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!

 

Stress is normal and is faced by most people regardless of factors such as age, gender, and occupation. There are many ways to deal with and manage stress. The severity and outcomes of stress can effectively be tamed with food. Food is the main source of nutrients.

These nutrients, in addition to providing energy to the body, also influence the brain and its response. The intake of certain foods can trigger the release of stress relief hormones, and as a result, stress is lowered down. However, it is important to know that dealing with stress with food might not work if the severity of stress is certainly high.

Stress-Builder Foods

There are many foods that eventually build stress and stress-like symptoms in the body. It is, therefore, necessary to avoid such foods, especially if you are looking for strategies for stress management. Artificial sweeteners, refined carbs, alcohol, and caffeine are amongst the foods to avoid as these are stress-promoting sources of food.

In the U.S, treatment for alcohol addiction is available and can be acquired in each state. You may look up for treatment centers in New Jersey, if you live somewhere in New Jersey. A whole list will appear in front of you, so you can opt for one that meets your needs.

Stress-Buster Foods

It would not be wrong to call certain foods stress-busters based on the way they help in managing stress and lowering down its level. There are a number of ways through which foods help in stress management. Some foods help in lowering down the level of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

There are others that help to keep blood pressure in control, and as an outcome, stress does not aggravate. Some foods directly stimulate stress relief hormones such as serotonin and thus help in feeling calm and relaxed.

Complex Carbs

The intake of carbs is recognized to trigger the release of serotonin. This hormone is known as the feel-good hormone and helps in a good mood. However, it is always a good option to opt for complex carbohydrates rather than refined carbs.

It is because complex carbs take longer to digest completely, and hence it helps for longer to keep going in a good mood. There are many other health benefits of complex carbs. It helps in keeping blood pressure and blood sugar levels well in control.

Oranges

Oranges are packed with Vitamin C and hence are not only an immunity booster but are a very handy stress buster. A study showed that taking vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges before a stressful task assisted in lowering down blood pressure and cortisol level. Thus taking food sources rich in Vitamin C, such as Citrus fruits, can help in bringing down the level of stress hormone.

Spinach

Often stress becomes unbearable with stress related to other bodily symptoms such as headache and hypertension. Headache occurs when the body runs too low on magnesium. A bowl of spinach helps to meet the requirement of magnesium.

There are other choices that help to meet the magnesium needs of the body, such as salmon, soybeans, and leafy green vegetables. Magnesium also helps to keep the body active and overcome symptoms of fatigue.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish abundantly supply the body with omega-three fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are very beneficial for wellness and health. It helps and enables the body to overcome many health issues such as depression, stress, and cardiovascular problems.

It is recommended to take at least 3 ounces of fatty fish twice a week to gain the best of it. There are many options available when it comes to fatty fish such as salmon and tuna. If you’re really looking to manage stress with the diet, then adding fatty fish to your meal is a must.

Black Tea

Black tea has many health benefits. It makes a good substitute for other unhealthy beverages. Black tea is also very useful in managing stress. A study showed that people who were in the habit of drinking black tea daily stayed calmer and had low levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It is thus beneficial to add black tea to your routine if you are struggling to manage stress.

Nuts And Seeds

A handful of nuts and seeds brings many benefits to the body, and it is also very useful in managing stress levels. Nuts and seeds such as pistachios, almonds, and walnuts are rich in healthy fats. These are also rich sources of many vital minerals. It is also useful in keeping down the stress level but remembers to take it in moderation as these are calorie-rich.

Avocados

Avocados are potassium-rich, and potassium plays a vital role in managing stress related to high blood pressure. Half avocado has a relatively more amount of potassium as compared to banana. However, it is not a bad idea to get your potassium from bananas too. Be watchful of your portion size while taking avocados, as these are rich in fats and calories.

Milk

Milk is another stress buster. A warm glass of low-fat milk can help to bring down stress and make the body calmer and relaxed. Studies have also found that high calcium levels also help with mood swings and anxiety. Milk is another healthy and nutritious beverage that is also very helpful in stress management.

Exercise

Along with diet, it is important to stick to an exercise routine. Even moderate exercise such as brisk walking and running can bring many benefits to the body. It also helps to keep the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, well in control.

Exercise also helps in sustaining a good mood and keeps the body calmer. So, managing moderate exercise in addition to some dietary changes can make a difference.

Take Away

Uncontrolled stress can ruin wellness and health goals. It is crucial to manage stress. There are many strategies that can be employed in order to manage stress; one of them is stress management through diet. Food is rich in certain minerals that help in controlling stress levels.

You’d be surprised at how many individuals have an intolerance to gluten. Just in the United States alone, around 18 million individuals have a sensitivity to gluten. When an individual has a gluten intolerance their immune system mistakes gluten proteins for foreign invaders and attacks the proteins which can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. If you have an intolerance to gluten you may experience uncomfortable bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and headaches.

Why More People Have a Sensitivity to Gluten:

Women are more likely than men to suffer from gluten intolerance:

Women are far more likely than men to be diagnosed with gluten intolerance. This is due to the fact that women often have overactive immune systems as they have two x chromosomes, while men have a y chromosome as well as an x chromosome. To learn more information about why women are far more likely to suffer from gluten intolerance it’s well worth reading articles on the subject by Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs.

Genetics:

Another reason why individuals may have a gluten intolerance is due to their genetics. Gluten intolerances tend to run in families. So, if one of your parents, siblings, or grandparents has a gluten intolerance, your chances of being gluten intolerant are increased and you may want to get a blood test taken, in order to find out whether or not you’re gluten intolerant. If you’re unsure of whether any of your immediate families are gluten intolerant, it’s well worth asking them.

People can develop a gluten intolerance over time:

You may be surprised to learn that even if you’re not born with gluten intolerance, you can develop gluten intolerance as an adult. As if you’re genetically predisposed to becoming gluten intolerant, the symptoms associated with gluten intolerance may not present themselves until later in your life. So even if you think that you’re not gluten intolerant, it’s a smart idea to look out for signs of gluten intolerance as you grow older.

Poor gut health:

One group of people who are likely to develop a serious gluten intolerance are those with poor gut health. As those with healthy guts will have no problems processing food without any issues. If you have poor gut health, you may regularly suffer from abdominal pain and bloating. Thankfully, you can reverse poor gut health by eating a gluten-free diet which will promote intestinal healing and which will eliminate your gluten intolerance symptoms.

How long does gluten intolerance last:

While many people will have to manage gluten intolerance for the rest of their lives and will need to follow strict gluten-free diets, some individuals are able to heal their gut and are able to incorporate gluten back into their diets, after a few years.

In conclusion, if you suspect that there is a chance that you may be gluten intolerant, it’s important to ask your doctor for a blood test as soon as possible. A blood test can reveal whether or not you’re gluten intolerant and should start consuming a gluten-free diet in order to start healing your gut and to get rid of any annoying symptoms which you may face such as bloating or diarrhea.

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Posted by: Lindsay Hogg

I tend to buy my own fruit on sale and freeze it, but this is a definitely a quick and interesting video of fresh vs. frozen. The science behind it all might surprise you. Just be cautious if you do choose frozen produce, that there are not additives with the brand you purchase.