Are Sunflower Seeds Good For You?

Most of us are familiar with sunflower oil, which is one of popular cooking oils in the world. But, the seeds, from which this oil is extracted, are also edible and are considered highly nutritious. The usage of sunflower seeds as a food item can be traced back to the period of native Americans, as early as 2300 BC. They cultivated sunflower plants in large numbers and collected the largest seeds year after year, developing the largest sunflowers in the world. These seeds were the staple food of native Americans, before they started consuming corn, beans, etc. Today, sunflowers are among the major crops in the United States as well as many other countries.

Sunflower Seed Nutrients

Even though the nutty flavor of sunflower seeds is palate-pleasing, many-a-times, a question arises that, "Are sunflower seeds good for you"?. Apart from satisfying your taste buds, sunflower seeds are believed to be nutritionally dense. A one-fourth cup of these seeds is enough to provide you with 55% of your daily requirement of B1 Thiamine, 90% of your daily need of vitamin E, 36% of manganese, 32% of magnesium, 25% of phosphorous and 20% of folate. There are traces of other vitamins and minerals too. Apart from these, sunflower seeds contain around 18 amino acids. Let's take a look at the health benefits of these seeds.

Sunflower Seeds - Health Benefits

Being rich in vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds have anti-inflammatory properties and many cardiovascular benefits. The high levels of vitamin E content enables these seeds to reduce inflammation and lessen the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, etc. It can also be effective in preventing colon cancer and hot flashes in women during menopause. Vitamin E is also beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases, like atherosclerosis, by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol. Sunflower seeds are a rich source of phytosterols, which can reduce the cholesterol level in the human body and also reduce the risks of certain cancers.

The magnesium content in these seeds is beneficial in lowering the blood pressure, preventing migraine attacks and lowering the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Apart from these benefits, magnesium is essential for healthy bones and for soothing nerves. Sunflower seeds contain a trace mineral called selenium, which is believed to play a vital role in protecting the body against cancer.

Sunflower seeds are consumed mainly as a healthy snack, but are also added as garnish or as ingredients in various recipes. These seeds are available with the shells or as kernels sans the shells. Sunflower seeds can also be sprouted and consumed raw or can be added to salads. The kernels are also roasted and dusted with salt or flour in order to preserve it. Roasted sunflower seeds are also equally good, but raw, unsalted and shelled ones are considered the best. Now that we have seen why sunflower seeds are good for you, you can include this nutritious and tasty snack in your daily diet.