Sunflower seeds: Healthy & delicious treat

The sunny blooms and their seeds are more gifted than one can think of. While the sunflowers cheer you up, its seeds – gray or green coloured and stacked in dark green, gray, or black shells -are a powerful source of vitamin E and rightly promoted as a healthy snack. The seeds will satiate your hunger pangs and even enhance your health with the goodness of fiber, protein, iron, vitamin E and B Vitamins such as thiamine, phosphorous, selenium, and more. The seeds as snacks are easily available today.

Types of seeds

Sunflower seeds are available in three varieties – linoleic, high oleic and nusun. Linoleic is the most preferred seed, but all three have the same health benefits. It is consumed by people around the world today. However, South Americans, Mexicans and those from Peru have relished it for thousands of years.

The seeds were first domesticated by Native Americans. The Spanish explorers took the seeds to Europe and Russia where they were harvested for oil. It was only in 1800 that they came back to North America where they are now planted for their oil, seeds, and as a beautiful addition to your garden.

Benefits of vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant found in several other nuts and seeds. It helps prevent cardiovascular disease as it reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis – which blocks the arteries. Secondly, it is the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Moreover, it helps in the reduction of symptoms in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis conditions; reduces chances of colon cancer; minimises the severity and frequency of hot flashes among women undergoing menopause; and checks the possibilities of diabetic complications.

Excellent source of magnesium

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of magnesium as well. It helps reduce the harshness of asthma, controls high blood pressure, prevents migraine, chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Magnesium is a boon for bones and about two thirds of magnesium is contained in bones. Layers of magnesium can be found on the bone’s surface so that it can be drawn and used when needed. Also, it is the prime factor that works during the formation of bones. Last but not the least it also makes up for calcium and regulates nerves and muscle tones.

Selenium boons

Studies reveal that Selenium – a trace mineral – induces DNA repair and synthesis in busted cells to restrict generation of cancer cells. Also, the seeds balance out the selenium deficiency in thyroid gland which regulates the body temperature, heart rate, production of protein and controlling the metabolism.

Caution

Consumption of sunflower seeds, can lead to weight gain and excess sodium consumption. Hence, about 1 ounce of the seeds is ideal to avoid potential dangers. 1-ounce of toasted sunflower seed kernels is a heap of 175 calories.  Also, one must remove the shell before consuming it as it can puncture the digestive tract or cause impaction. When choosing the seeds, one must prefer those with uniformity in colour (without yellow spots), firmness and plump, and ensure they are not broken.

–windowtonews