Are Sunflower Seeds Good for You

Are sunflower seeds good for you or not? The answer is a resounding yes! They are high in fat and calories, but they are good for you.

Sunflowers seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition.

If you've ever driven by a field of sunflowers, the sight is awesome. These tall flowers have a large yellow flower filled with hundreds of small seeds. In the past, Native Americans and others used the sunflower seeds for a variety of treatments. Here are just a few:

• Improve energy
• Diuretic
• Treat constipation
• Chest pain
• Ulcers
• Treat worms
• Improve eyesight

Today's herbalists continue to recommend sunflower seeds to improve health. They are even used as a way to help people quit smoking, and are recommended to help improve health problems such as:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Allergic reactions

You've probably noticed that many baseball players have switched from chewing tobacco to chewing sunflower seeds. Not only is it good that they quit using tobacco, but they're taking in some great nutrients while they're at it. To take advantage of all the nutrients these little seeds have to offer, the best way to eat them is raw, unsalted and unshelled. They are a true natural health food.

Raw sunflower seeds are packed with good nutrition and provide more nutrients than sunflower seeds that have been roasted. When you eat them raw and unsalted, they are a great low-sodium source of potassium. In fact, one cup of sunflower seeds has over 1,300 mg of potassium! In that same cup, you'll only get 4 mg of sodium. This is especially important to anyone on a diuretic because it can help replace lost potassium. In addition to the high potassium content, sunflower seeds are also high in oil. This has caused people to steer clear of them in the past because they are "fattening".

The truth is that the oils found in sunflower seeds are good for you and have been shown to help reduce cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. However, they are high in calories, to the tune of about 800 calories for one cup. Take this into consideration if you are trying to lose weight, but don't eliminate these nutrient-packed seeds altogether. Learn to eat them in moderation. Sprinkle a tablespoon of raw sunflower seeds over your salad or eat them as a snack.

Sunflower seeds are also rich in the B vitamins, especially:

• Thiamine (B1)
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)

Sunflower seeds provide an outstanding source of vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant known to neutralize free radicals, and has been shown to lessen the risk of colon cancer. It is also has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps lessen symptoms for conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Along with these effects, vitamin E has also been shown to reduce symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease. Even if you're on a diet, think about adding sunflowers to the menu because just one-fourth cup of sunflower seeds provides more than 90 percent of the vitamin E you need for the day.

We already mentioned sunflower seeds are high in potassium and it's important to note why this matters. Potassium is an electrolyte and the third most plentiful mineral found in the body.

Other minerals found in sunflowers seeds include:

• Zinc
• Iron
• Calcium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Phosphorous

Magnesium found in sunflower seeds helps to counterbalance calcium and can actually be useful in calming your nerves as well as lowering high blood pressure. It can also help reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease and is a necessary element for strong healthy bones. If you lack magnesium it can contribute to:

• High blood pressure
• Muscle spasms
• Migraine headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Tension
• Soreness
• Fatigue

With all this good news, you no longer have to ask, "Are sunflower seeds good for you." They are fantastic, and more than just a healthy snack. Use them as ingredients in:

• Salad dressings
• Green Smoothies
• Breads
• Cookies
• Salad toppings

Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan or even a meat eater, make this nutritionally dense snack option a regular part of your nutrition and experience all the health benefits it has to offer along it's unique nutty taste.

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