Are Sunflower Seeds Healthy?

The use of sunflower seeds has been a common inclusion in various kinds of recipes and snacks. The reason why these seeds have been an important part of the diet for most people is due to the several health benefits stored in them. These seeds are a power house of unsaturated fats. In case you were not aware, 90% of these seeds comprise unsaturated fat. Also, these seeds are stuffed with vitamins, minerals, poly and monounsaturated fats, proteins, fibers and phytochemicals. Havign said that, sunflower seeds are healthy, both when eaten in raw form or roasted. Know about the benefits of making these nutty flavored and tender textured seeds, an important part of your diet from the following.

Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

Starting off with the most important benefit that sunflower seeds have for us is its content of vitamin E. It helps in reducing the ill effects of free radicals in the body thus, protecting the cell membranes and cells of the brain, as well. Even a quarter cup of raw form of these seeds provide for about 90% of the vitamin E required by the body on a daily basis. Medical conditions like asthma, colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), can also be treated by including these seeds in the diet. Vitamin E is also known to improve blood clotting and help in wound healing.

These seeds are also a rich of fatty acids known as linoleic acid. To add to this, the minerals which are contained in these seeds include magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium. The amino acids of the seeds add an appreciable amount of protein in the diet thus, aid in the maintenance, growth and repair of tissues.

People who include sunflower seeds as an important part of their diet are well-known about their health benefits. This is due to the fact that these people have lesser heart problems and stay in a low risk zone to develop cancer. Thanks to the selenium content of these seeds, which work in conjunction with the vitamin E in providing the body with efficient antioxidant benefits.

Depression and other similar symptoms like anxiety, tension, stress and the like, repercuss when the body is low on serotonin levels. Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitter and it is processed by what is known as Tryptophan, an amino acid. As sunflower seeds contain Tryptophan, they elevate the production of this very neurotransmitter thus, relieving symptoms of depression, stress, etc.

Another important health benefit of sunflower seeds is their richness of the vitamin folate. It is also known as folic acid. Its importance comes into play during pregnancy, as this very vitamin aids in the growth and development of the fetus. It teams up with vitamin B-12 and help in the manufacture of hemoglobin in red blood cells in the body.

Common medical conditions such as muscle spasms and similar illness, may be treated with home remedies which include sunflower seeds. These seeds are also rich in magnesium, which apart from taking care of conditions like spasms, also help in lowering risk of hypertension, asthma attacks and migraines.

Finally, eating sunflower seeds help in improving the digestive system due to their richness in dietary fiber, and prevention of diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the colon and several heart diseases, due to their content of phytochemicals.

In case you are wondering about the calories in sunflower seeds, 1 cup of them with hulls give 262-269 of calories, and ¼ cup of the raw form provides 140-150.