Harvested from tall sunflowers, the seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, or used for flavor and texture in a variety of meals. Today, they're often eaten as a healthy snack between meals, providing an energy boost in a convenient package. Despite this, many people are unfamiliar with the benefits of eating sunflower seeds. In this article, you'll learn how the seeds are a powerful source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Plus, we'll explain how sunflowers seeds can even have a mild relaxing effect on your brain.
Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds
- Sunflower seeds also contain good amount of magnesium. Magnesium helps to prevent asthma, lower high blood pressure, and prevent migraine headaches.
- Sunflower seeds offer a very good amount of magnesium as well. This helps to lower blood pressure, relieve headaches and migraines, and lessen the severity of asthma
- The vitamin E in sunflower seeds also helps to protect against heart disease. It does this by protecting the arterial walls and the heart against cholesterol-related damage.
- Dietary fiber in sunflower seeds controls cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels and also promotes good digestion.
- Sunflower seeds also contain Zinc which is beneficial for keeping our immune system strong.
- One ounce of sunflower seed kernels, dry-roasted without salt contains 3.1 grams of dietary fiber.
Calories - 165
Minerals Contained
- Potassium - 241 mg
- Phosphorus - 327 mg
- Calcium - 20 mg
- Magnesium - 37 mg
- Iron - 1.08 mg
- Sodium - 1 mg
- Manganese - 0.598 mg
- Zinc - 1.5 mg
- Copper - 0.519 mg
- Selenium - 22.5 mcg
- Also contains trace amounts of other minerals.
- Vitamin C - 0.4 mg
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.03 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.07 mg
- Niacin - 1.996 mg
- Pantothenic Acid - 1.996 mg
- Vitamin B6 - 0.228 mg
- Folate - 67 mcg
- Vitamin A - 3 IU
- Vitamin E - 7.4 mg
- Vitamin K - 0.8 mcg
- Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.