4 Amazing Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds


    Sunflower seeds may conjure up memories of baseball games growing up, but they are

actually a much more wholesome food than the hot dogs and other foods that may also remind you of ballpark fare. Adding

sunflower seeds to your diet could do wonders for your skin, heart, immunity and overall health. Read below to find out four

good reasons to start adding them to your favorite snacks for a serious health boost.


   



    Sunflower Seeds Nutrition


    The following nutritional information is for a one-ounce serving of dry roasted sunflower seeds, without salt:


   



    Calories: 165


    Total Fat: 14 grams


    Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams


    Monounsaturated Fat: 3 grams


    Polyunsaturated Fat: 9 grams


    Cholesterol: 0 milligrams


    Sodium: 1 milligram


    Carbs: 7 grams


    Fiber: 3 grams


    Sugars: 0 grams


    Protein: 5.5 grams


    Vitamin A: 2.5 IU (0% Daily Value)


    Vitamin C: 0.5 mg (4% DV)


    Calcium: 20 milligrams (2% DV)


    Iron: 1 milligram (6% DV)


   



    While sunflower seeds are pretty high in fat for a one-ounce serving, they are made of mostly mono- and polyunsaturated

fats, which are a great anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy source of fats our bodies need. Additionally, they are a good

source of fiber and protein, adding a nice nutrition boost to your favorite granola bars, salads and other recipes.


   



    Sunflower seeds are also almost negligent in sodium on their own, but many packaged sunflower seed products are loaded with salt—one popular

brand packs 79% of your daily sodium limit per serving! It's important to be mindful of the nutrition label whenever you're

stocking up on sunflower seeds to use for snacking or in a recipe.


   



    Sunflower Seeds Boast Anti-Inflammatory Benefits


    You don't just have to eat the trendy seeds—like chia and hemp—to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits they have to

offer. A study out of Columbia University found consuming sunflower and other seeds, like

roasted shine skin pumpkin seeds, five or more times per

week to be associated with lower levels of inflammation—which the authors of the study may be why consumption of them is

also related to a reduced risk for several chronic diseases.


   



    Sunflower Seeds Boost Your Heart Health


    Unlike saturated fat, moderate unsaturated fat consumption has actually shown to improve one's heart health. A study out

of Harvard University found increased seed consumption—sunflower seeds included—to be associated with a lower risk for

cardiovascular disease, as well as CVD risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure. Making the effort to

consume more heart-healthy fats, like the mono- and polyunsaturated fats found in sunflower seeds and

sunflower seed kernels, can make a huge impact on your heart health

(learn more about the best and worst foods to eat for heart health).


   



    Sunflower Seeds Help to Prevent and Fight Sickness


    Sunflower seeds are a good or excellent source of nearly a dozen essential vitamins and minerals, two of them being zinc

and selenium. Zinc is an integral part of the immune system, as it helps both to develop and maintain proper function of

immune cells. Additionally, zinc functions as an antioxidant to fight off free radicals.


   



    Selenium also plays a role in fighting inflammation and infection, along with boosting immunity, to ensure our bodies are

producing a proper response to any intruders in the body. This mineral is an important part of achieving mental health and

preventing neurodegenerative disorders (like Alzheimer's) as well.


   



    Sunflower Seeds Are a Great Food for Expecting Mothers


    Whether you're hoping to have a baby, are pregnant or are just trying to follow a well-balanced diet,

sunflower seeds have a lot to offer. These seeds are a good source of zinc

and folate, while being an excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is essential for prenatal health, as it helps the fetus

develop and use red blood cells and muscles. Folate supports the placenta and helps prevent spina bifida, while zinc helps

produce insulin and enzymes.


   



    Vitamin E is also a key nutrient for achieving that  pregnancy glow. , which is abundant in

walnuts. You've likely purchased a skincare product that touts having vitamin E in

it, as it fights against UV damage and nourishes your largest organ. Sunflower seeds pack more than one-third of your daily

needs.


   



    Shine skin pumpkin seeds may be tiny, but they are densely

packed with useful nutrients and nutraceuticals such as amino acids, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic

compounds, tocopherols, cucurbitacins and valuable minerals. All these bioactive compounds are important to a healthy life

and well-being. The purpose of this review is to merge the evidence-based information on the potential use pumpkin seeds as a

functional food ingredient and associated biological mechanisms, collected from electronic databases (ScienceDirect,

ResearchGate, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) up to January 2020. Bioactive compounds in pumpkin seeds exhibit promising

activities such as anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antidepressant, antioxidant, antitumor and cytoprotective. Furthermore, these

bioactives carry potential in ameliorating microbiological infections, hepatic and prostate disorders. As evidenced from

literature, pumpkin seeds, like roasted almond

kernel, show potential to be used as both a traditional and functional food ingredient provided further animal and

clinical investigations are carried out to establish the respective molecular mechanisms and safety profile.