-7 Top Health Benefits from eating them!
I have already written about the astounding health benefits from the Sun, which helps our bodies to make vitamin D. Well it should be no wonder any at all that the Sunflower Plant is also a very rich provider of health benefits to the human body. The sunflower seeds come from the big round centre of the sunflower, which turns every day to follow the course of the sun. It is definitely one of the unsung heroes of the nutritional world because they are cheap, very accessible, they are available all year round and they are tremendously nutritious. They have extremely high levels of Vitamin E, a significant source of Vitamin C, a rich source for Vitamin B and they are also packed with minerals such as Magnesium and Zinc. The sunflower sprout is also packed with all the vitamins mentioned earlier, as well as protein, but it is also a very good source of chlorophyll which helps to cleanse the body of toxins. To top it off sunflower seeds also contain a significant amount of fibre.
Now here are the 7 most significant benefits to the body from the sunflower:
Cancer Prevention:
The vitamin E that is so abundant in sunflower seeds has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Sunflower seeds are also however a good source of selenium which detoxifies the body and help to prevent cancer. There are studies which suggest a strong correlation between low selenium intake and high incidence of cancer. Selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to slow the growth of cancer cells and to induce their apoptosis (i.e. the self-destruct mechanism that the body uses to get rid of abnormal cells). A ¼ cup of sunflower seeds provide over 30% of the body’s daily requirement of selenium.
Heart Health:
As already mentioned, sunflowers are an exceptional source of vitamin E, which plays a very important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps keep free radicals from oxidising cholesterol. It is only when cholesterol is oxidized that it sticks to blood vessel walls and cause atherosclerosis, which can lead to blocked arteries, heart attack and stroke. You can get over 90% of the daily value for vitamin E in only a ¼ cup of sunflower seeds!
Nerve Health:
Sunflower is a very good source of the mineral Magnesium. Magnesium keeps our nerves relaxed by preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them. If our bodies do not have enough magnesium, then too much calcium can gain entrance to the nerve cells, causing it to send too many messages and leading to too much contraction. Magnesium therefore helps to keep calcium in check! (Do you notice that they tend to twin magnesium and calcium together as a supplement? Now you know why). Insufficient levels of magnesium leads to higher blood pressure, migraine headaches, muscle tension, soreness and fatigue. It is therefore not surprising that studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps to diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks! Sunflower seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to produce serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter. Serotonin relieves tension, calms the brain and promotes relaxation.
Sunflower sprouts are also high in B vitamins, especially folate (folic acid), which is a necessary B-vitamin for pregnant women, as it is required to ensure proper development of the baby’s nervous system. The combinations of B-vitamins also assist in the mother’s circulation as well as aids in stress relief.
Bone Health:
Magnesium is also necessary for strong bones. It is a well known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but so too is magnesium. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it actually helps to lend bones their physical structure and the rest is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs it. Copper, (which is also found in sunflower seeds) is vital for the function of enzymes involved in cross linking collagen and elastin, providing strength and flexibility in bones and joints.
Skin Health:
Vitamin E to the rescue again! It has sometimes been described as the “lightening rod” of the cell, as it allows reactive molecules to strike the cell like lightening without causing damage. This function of vitamin E is particularly apparent in the case of the skin, since it directly protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. In many studies, vitamin E has been proven to prevent UV damage even when applied topically. A diet that contains foods rich in vitamin E will therefore promote the same protective effect.
Anti-Inflammatory:
Vitamin E is the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. It travels throughout the body neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules such as cell membranes, brain cells and cholesterol. By protecting these cellular and molecular components, vitamin E’s significant anti-inflammatory effects result in the reduction of symptoms from asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fertility:
Both sunflower seeds and their sprouts contain high amounts of zinc. Zinc is a well researched mineral that is essential for the development of sperm. This is why it is especially important for men.
So the next time you are looking for a good add-in for your salads, or just looking for a good nutritious snack or drink, opt for some sunflower seeds or sprouts. Your body will be very grateful for it and it will definitely help to preserve your life!
Be blessed and stay healthy!
Sharbs
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