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by John Staughton (BASc, BFA)last updated -
There are quite a few impressive health benefits of sunflower seeds, including their ability to stimulate hair growth, promote heart health, aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol level.
Available as one of the most popular and readily available snack foods, sunflower seeds are not only great to eat on the go but they also provide a number of health benefits.
What are Sunflower Seeds?
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Sunflower seeds are the fruiting bodies of the sunflower plant, which bears the scientific nameHelianthus annuus. There are three types of commonly used sunflower seeds – one that is pressed for oil and two others, which have varying levels of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats. This is where the potential health benefits of sunflower seeds truly come into play. The seeds that are most frequently consumed are striped or mottled in color, rather than having a solid black shell.
These seeds are primarily consumed as snack food in many parts of the world. They can be eaten both in their full form, as well as their de-hulled form, in which only the kernel is eaten. Both the shell and the inner kernel have a different nutrient profile. They make a tasty and nutrient-dense treat, particularly when eaten salted. [1]
Sunflower SeedsNutrition Facts
Sunflower seeds are more than just a snack. They deliver a significant amount of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and B6 to the body. According to USDA FoodData Central, they also provide us with variousantioxidants and carotenoids, which support the immune system of the body. There is a moderate amount of thiamine, sodium, magnesium, selenium, manganese, and phosphorus in sunflower seeds, while the outer shell provides dietary fiber. You can also find small amounts of zinc, copper, and iron in these seeds, along with numerous B family vitamins. Perhaps, the most important thing is the level of polyunsaturated fats in sunflower seeds including notable amounts of phytosterols. A 1/4th cup serving of dried sunflower seeds contains over 200 calories. [2]
Do you add sunflower seeds to your morning granola? Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds provide many health benefits such as promoting heart and skin health, stimulating hair growth, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and balancing hormonal levels, among others.
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 4.73 |
| Energy | 584 |
| Energy [kJ] | 2445 |
| Protein [g] | 20.78 |
| Total lipid (fat) [g] | 51.46 |
| Ash [g] | 3.02 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 20 |
| Fiber, total dietary [g] | 8.6 |
| Sugars, total including NLEA [g] | 2.62 |
| Sucrose [g] | 2.5 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 78 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 5.25 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 325 |
| Phosphorus, P [mg] | 660 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 645 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 9 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 5 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 1.8 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 1.95 |
| Selenium, Se [µg] | 53 |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] | 1.4 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 1.48 |
| Riboflavin [mg] | 0.36 |
| Niacin [mg] | 8.34 |
| Pantothenic acid [mg] | 1.13 |
| Vitamin B-6 [mg] | 1.35 |
| Folate, total [µg] | 227 |
| Folate, food [µg] | 227 |
| Folate, DFE [µg] | 227 |
| Choline, total [mg] | 55.1 |
| Betaine [mg] | 35.4 |
| Vitamin A, RAE [µg] | 3 |
| Carotene, beta [µg] | 30 |
| Vitamin A, IU [IU] | 50 |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] | 35.17 |
| Tocopherol, beta [mg] | 1.18 |
| Tocopherol, gamma [mg] | 0.37 |
| Tocopherol, delta [mg] | 0.02 |
| Fatty acids, total saturated [g] | 4.46 |
| 14:0 [g] | 0.03 |
| 16:0 [g] | 2.21 |
| 17:0 [g] | 0.02 |
| 18:0 [g] | 1.69 |
| 20:0 [g] | 0.12 |
| 22:0 [g] | 0.32 |
| 24:0 [g] | 0.08 |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] | 18.53 |
| 16:1 [g] | 0.02 |
| 17:1 [g] | 0.02 |
| 18:1 [g] | 18.38 |
| 20:1 [g] | 0.09 |
| 22:1 [g] | 0.03 |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] | 23.14 |
| 18:2 [g] | 23.05 |
| 18:3 [g] | 0.06 |
| 18:4 [g] | 0.01 |
| 20:5 n-3 (EPA) [g] | 0.01 |
| Phytosterols [mg] | 534 |
| Tryptophan [g] | 0.35 |
| Threonine [g] | 0.93 |
| Isoleucine [g] | 1.14 |
| Leucine [g] | 1.66 |
| Lysine [g] | 0.94 |
| Methionine [g] | 0.49 |
| Cystine [g] | 0.45 |
| Phenylalanine [g] | 1.17 |
| Tyrosine [g] | 0.67 |
| Valine [g] | 1.32 |
| Arginine [g] | 2.4 |
| Histidine [g] | 0.63 |
| Alanine [g] | 1.12 |
| Aspartic acid [g] | 2.45 |
| Glutamic acid [g] | 5.58 |
| Glycine [g] | 1.46 |
| Proline [g] | 1.18 |
| Serine [g] | 1.08 |
| Sources include : USDA [3] | |
SkinCare
A study conducted by a group of researchers, published inThe Journal of Nutrition [4], suggests that sunflower seeds are a powerhouse of antioxidants. One of the best components of sunflower seeds is high vitamin E content. With roughly 80% of your daily requirements fulfilled by a 1/4 cup of these seeds, you will get amajor antioxidant boostfrom adding these to your diet. Vitamin E can act as an antioxidant for the skin and is known to rejuvenate the skin by increasing blood circulation and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Improve Brain Health
sunflower seeds are considered to be one of the best foods for your brain. They are rich in vitamin E, a nutrient that is associated with healthy brain aging. Another 2017 study suggests that the efficacy of vitamin E can be increased when taken in combination with antioxidants or anti-inflammatory compounds. [5]
Apart from this, sunflower seeds are also rich in choline. Choline is a neurotransmitter required to produce acetylcholine and is necessary for healthy brain and nervous system functions. [6]
Prevent Cellular Damage
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, which is a vital component of your day-to-day nutritional needs. These seeds are great antioxidants that stop the extensive spread of free radicals within the human body, as free radicals can lead to a variety of cellular damage and diseases. This also aids in the proper functioning of the circulatory system. Vitamin E also helps the blood clot readily when you experience external wounds, thereby helping speed up the healing process. The selenium present in sunflower seeds repairs cellular damage.
Hair Care
A study byDr. D. H. Rushton, University of Portsmouth, UK reveals that hair shedding is directly related to nutrition. [7]
A 2010 research study shows that tocotrienol, which belongs to the vitamin E family, is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce hair loss. [8]
When you connect the dots between both the studies, it simply indicates that the food you eat helps boost hair growth. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E is not only good for the skin butalso the hair. If you regularly consume these seeds, it can give your hair great texture. In addition to the minerals and antioxidants, the seeds contain iron, which can stimulate circulation and drive the blood flow to the scalp thus stimulating hair growth.
Control Cholesterol Levels
A research study in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology has proven that phytosterols are a great cholesterol-controlling compound. [9]
Phytosterols are found in the highest concentrations in sunflower seeds and pistachios. Therefore, a handful of these seeds every day can help protect your heart by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and plaque deposition in the arteries and blood vessels.
Balance Hormone Levels
Research has linked sunflower seeds to better functioning of the thyroid gland. These seeds are rich in essential fatty acids like omega 3s and omega 6s and so they help the thyroid gland to maintain optimal metabolism.
Improve Digestion
Sunflower seeds have a largeamount of dietary fiber that helps bulk up the stool and promote peristaltic motion. If your body is deficient in fiber, you maybe at a higher risk of developing a host of other health problems like constipation, piles, and hemorrhoids. Severe digestive problems can even increase toxicity within your intestines.
The recommended amount of fiber is around 30 grams per day for an adult. However, it has been noted in surveys that most people fail to consume even 15 grams per day. By including sunflower seeds in your diet, you can easily get a rich supply of the dietary fiber and reduce the possibility of digestion-related problems.It can also improve the bacterial balance in your gut and make the nutrient uptake more efficient.
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Most athletes enjoy eating sunflower seeds, as these seeds offer high amounts of protein and carbohydrates. They aid the liver’s discharge of glycogen into the bloodstream, which (glycogen) is a form of sugar; thereby providing an extra boost of quick energy. [10]
Magnesium has been linked to animprovement in mood and temperament. This is one of the minerals present in a moderate concentration within sunflower seeds. If you regularly suffer from anxiety or stress, this might be the snack for you. [11]
In terms of improving sleep, magnesium can help the body convert tryptophan into serotonin. It is a feel-good hormone that can help relax the body and prepare it for sleep.
Proteins contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body. Although the amount of protein in these seeds is minimal, it can still help in the growth and development of the body.
