Health Benefits and Other Info
Delicious, nutty, and crunchy sunflower seeds are widely considered healthful foods. They are high in energy,
100g seeds consists of 584 calories. Nonetheless, they are incredible sources of many health benefiting
nutrients, minerals, antioxidants
and vitamins.
Protein Power
·
Like other nuts, they are also very good source of proteins with fine quality amino acids such astryptophan that are essential for growth, especially in children. Just 100g of seeds provide about 21g
of protein (37%
of daily-recommended values).
· In addition, the sunflower seeds contain many health benefiting poly-phenol compounds such as
chlorgenic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acids. These are natural anti-oxidants which help remove harmful
oxidant molecules from the body. Further, chlorgenic acid help reduce blood sugar levels by reducing
breakdown of glycogen in the liver.
Vitamin Powerhouse
·
They are indeed very rich source of vitamin E; contain about 35.17 g per100 g (about 234% of RDA).Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of
mucus
membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen free radicals.
· Sunflower kernels amongst are one of the finest sources of B-complex group of vitamins. They are very
good sources of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6),
pantothenic acid, and riboflavin.
Good Source of Folic Acid
·
Sunflowers are incredible sources of folic acid. 100g of kernels contains 227 mcg of folic acid, which isabout 37% of recommended daily intake. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis. When given in expectant
mothers
during peri-conception period, it may prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
Essential Minerals
·
Calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and copper are especially concentrated insunflower seeds. Many of these minerals have vital role in bone mineralization, red blood cell production,
enzyme synthesis, hormone production, as well as regulation of
cardiac and skeletal muscle activities.
· Just a hand full of sunflower kernels a day provides much of the recommended levels of phenolic
anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins, and protein.