What Are the Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds?
Sprinkled in salads, eaten by the handful or added to baked goods, sunflower kernels not only have a deliciously nutty taste, but they are also packed with vitamins and nutrients. Adding the lowly sunflower kernel to your diet can benefit your health in some fairly surprising ways.
A Functional Food
Sunflower kernels fall into the category of functional foods, which means they provide more than just nutritional value to a person's diet and can help protect the human body from certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
A Good Source of Vitamin E
High levels of Vitamin E in sunflower kernels translate into health benefits that include lower risk of cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis, as well as lowered cholesterol levels and higher mental acuity.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are chemicals produced by a plant in an effort to protect itself. Sunflower kernels contain many of these non-nutritive phytochemicals that scientists have found not only protect the sunflower plant but also humans who eat the sunflower's edible byproduct.
Phenolic Acids
Sunflower kernels are rich in phenolic acids, simple molecules that are easily absorbed by the human body and provide a host of anti-aging benefits. Phenolic acids are also useful as anti-inflammatory agents and immune system-boosters.
Arginine and Lingans
Arginine is one of the approximately 18 amino acids found in sunflower kernels and has a vital role in the healing of wounds, immune function and the release of hormones. Lingans are phytoestrogens that may be effective against certain cancers such as prostate, ovarian or breast cancers.
Considerations
When combined with other foods, such as baked in breads or crackers, or turned into sunflower seed butter and spread on fruit, sunflower kernels pack a nutritional punch that's hard to beat. A mere quarter cup of sunflower kernels adds a healthy dose of nutrients to your daily diet.
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