They say good things come in small packages. And in the case of sunflower seeds, they’re definitely on to something! Not only do these crunchy little seeds have that addictive taste that keeps you coming back for more, but they’re wildly packed with protein, vitamins, good fats and minerals. What’ so great about sunflower seeds? Let us spell it out for you.
S is for Selenium. A quarter cup of sunflower seeds offers 34% of the recommended daily intake of selenium. That’s a big portion for a small handful! Known to repair DNA and damaged cells and inhibit cancer cell growth, we’ll give these seeds a hand any day.
E is for Excellent Source of Vitamin E. Ready for this. That same handful of seeds gives you 82% of your vitamin E for the day! Great for the heart and digestive tract, vitamin E is also known to have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Did we mention it’s also awesome for your nails, hair and skin. Beautiful!
E is for Enhanced Immune Response. Guess who has the highest total phytoesterol count? Sesame seeds is right! As if you should care, right? Well, these are these funny sounding compounds that are found in plants and they’re believed to reduce cholesterol, enhance the immune system and decrease cancer risks.
D is for Nutrient Dense. Proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals-that’s a lot to pack into each little seed. But it happens! And it just so happens that one of those minerals, magnesium, is found in good quantities. Lucky for seed lovers, that’s been linked to reducing asthma symptoms, lowering blood pressure, preventing migraines and even reducing heart attack and stroke risk!
S is for Sodium Free. Though you can find all sorts of heavily salted and flavored sunflower seeds, naturally, these puppies are salt-free. They also have absolutely no cholesterol.
