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8 Super Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in good fats which improve overall health. It helps in preventing heart disease. Promotes detoxification of the body leading to healthy weight. It is rich in proteins which help in keeping your joints strong and aid in weight loss.

Looking for a healthy snack? Munch on to those lightly toasted super beneficial sunflower seeds today and everyday. A handful of this mild tasting nutty seeds are one of the health promoting snacks easy to consume anytime and readily available in the market.

1. Improve cholesterol levels

Sunflower seeds are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are known for reducing LDL levels known as bad cholesterol. High cholesterol levels often increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sunflower seeds are also rich in fiber, which helps to promote bile excretion in feces and a corresponding reduction in overall cholesterol.

2. Help in controlling blood sugar

These seeds are loaded with fiber which slows down the absorption of blood sugar into the blood. The mineral magnesium found in sunflower seeds helps to improve insulin sensitivity.

3. Detoxify the body

Sunflower seeds are rich in Selenium, which is an important mineral that helps in the removal of waste material from the body. Selenium helps in the maintenance of the body′s strongest natural antioxidant glutathione. Selenium has also been shown to help stimulate repair of damaged cells owing to the action of toxins on them.

4. Support skin and hair health

Vitamin E, helps in maintaining skin and hair health in our body. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of it. Vitamin E reduces oxidative damage to skin cells caused by UV rays and helps the skin to look youthful. Vitamin E benefits the hair and nails as well. Vitamin E keeps hair looking youthful and rich, adding volume and bounce. Sunflower seeds also promote blood flow to the scalp to stimulate growth of new hair. This can be attributed to the mineral calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron which stimulates the production of new blood cells.

5. Promote good mood and restful sleep

The high magnesium content in these seeds has beneficial effects on mood, helping to improve brain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter strongly determinant of our mood. It also helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in high amounts inhibits the neurotransmitters responsible for a good mood. Sunflower seeds are also rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that helps to bring about restful sleep and relaxation at night.

6. Sunflower Seeds protein rich

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of protein containing as much as 40% of your recommended daily intake in a single 100g serving. Though the protein found in sunflower seeds are not complete in the sense that they do not have all the essential amino acids required in your diet yet they are excellent way to achieve your daily protein requirements.

7. Good for managing weight

These little black seeds contain nutrients that are conducive for weight loss, including those such as fiber and the B vitamins. Fiber adds bulk in the stomach, slowing down glucose absorption and keeping you fill for longer, while the B vitamins help to ensure macronutrients are broken down in more efficient fashion. Both of these help in the weight loss process, and can help keep energy levels high while calories are restricted.

8. Can help manage hypertension

Sunflower seeds contain powerful minerals that help to regulate blood pressure, which are calcium, potassium and magnesium, each of which play a beneficial role in keeping blood pressure in normal ranges.

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