Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are a traditional snack food of all kinds, and many people just know they are sunflower seeds.In fact, eating sunflower seeds can be healthy.This small and humble leisure food tastes like "tiger eats mosquito -- eat more and swallow less", Sunflower seeds are the seeds of the chrysanthemum herb sunflower.
Sunflowers are rich in healthy fats, beneficial plant compounds, and several vitamins and minerals that may play a role in reducing your risk of common health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, sunflower seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. Your body uses linoleic acid to make a hormone-like compound that relaxes blood vessels, promoting lower blood pressure. This fatty acid also helps lower cholesterol.
Sunflower seeds are especially high in vitamin E and selenium. These function as antioxidants to protect your body’s cells against free radical damageTrusted Source, which plays a role in several chronic diseases.
Sunflowers pack many nutrients into a tiny seed.
The main nutrients in (28.35 grams or 1/4 cup) of shelled, dry roasted sunflower seeds are:
• Calories: 165
• Total fat: 14.1 grams
• Protein: 5.5 grams
• Carbs: 6.8 grams
• Fiber: 3.2 grams
• Vitamin E: 49%
• Niacin: 13% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
• Folate: 17% of the DV
• Pantothenic acid: 40% of the DV