Sunflower seeds are the fruit of a beautiful sunflower plant native to North Africa. The seeds have a firm texture and a slightly nutty flavor. They were a significant food source for the American Indians. Sunflower seeds remain a popular product to this day, although they are more often consumed as a snack than as part of a dish. And although sunflower seeds are not as nutrient dense as chia or hemp seeds, they are nevertheless extremely healthy. Sunflower seeds are a vital source of natural energy and many of the nutrients they contain are deficient in our modern diet. One cup of dried sunflower seeds contains . Most of the fiber in sunflower seeds is insoluble and cleanses the colon of accumulated waste. The protein of seeds includes all eight essential amino acids, which makes them an absolutely indispensable product for vegetarians. Like most pome crops, sunflower seeds are rich in nutrients that our body cannot produce on its own. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that sunflower seeds (and pistachios) are the richest in phytosterols of all other nuts and seeds. Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure similar to that of cholesterol. These compounds are believed to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood when consumed adequately. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source. The fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin E travels throughout our body, scavenging free radicals. Otherwise, the radicals damage fat-containing molecules and structures such as brain cells, cholesterol, and cell membranes. Vitamin E is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and reduces symptoms associated with inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
2022-11-11