6 health benefits of sunflower seeds!

The sunflower seed comes from the large round center of the sunflower, which morphs throughout the day to follow the course of the sun. Sunflowers began to be used over 5,000 years ago by Native Americans. the Spaniards brought them back to Spain, and they were soon introduced to neighboring European countries.

Today, the largest producers of sunflower seeds are the Russian Federation, Peru, Argentina, Spain, France and China.

Benefits:

1. Improves the cardiovascular system : 

Sunflowers are an exceptional source of Vitamin E , which plays a very important role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that helps keep free radicals in the body.

When cholesterol is oxidized, it is able to stick to the blood vessel wall and cause atherosclerosis, which can lead to blockage of the arteries, which causes heart attack or stroke. You can get over 90% of the Daily Value of Vitamin E in just a quarter of a cup of sunflower seeds .

2. It is an anti-inflammatory agent: 

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. Vitamin E travels throughout the body and neutralizes free radicals that would damage structures and molecules that contain fats, such as cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol. By protecting these cellular and molecular components, vitamin E has significant anti-inflammatory effects that result in reduced symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Helps in cancer prevention:

Sunflower seeds are a good source of selenium . Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between low selenium intake and cancer incidence. Selenium has been shown to be able to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and to induce their apoptosis, the self-destruction mechanism that the body uses to get rid of cancer cells. worn out or abnormal cells. 

In addition, selenium is incorporated into the active site of many proteins, including glutathione peroxidase, which is particularly important for protection against cancer. One of the body’s strongest antioxidant enzymes is glutathione peroxidase, which is used by the liver to detoxify a large number of harmful molecules. When glutathione peroxidase levels are low, these toxic molecules wreak havoc on every cell they come in contact with, damaging their DNA and leading to the development of cancer cells.

A quarter cup provides more than 30% of the daily value of selenium . Vitamin E also helps reduce the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer.

4. Strengthens bones: 

Sunflower seeds are particularly rich in magnesium . It is a well-known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but so is magnesium. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it helps give bones their physical structure, and the rest is located on the surface of the bone that is stored in the body for use as it needs it.

The copper  present in sunflower seeds  are vital for the function of the enzymes involved in the joints with the use of collagen and elastin, providing strength and flexibility in bones and joints. Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties, which are effective in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.

4. Improves the nervous system: 

Sunflower seeds  are also a good healthy option for nerves, preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them, Magnesium  keeps our nerves relaxed and thus our blood vessels and muscles as well.

Magnesium deficiency   leads to increased blood pressure, muscle tension, “migraine” headaches, pain and fatigue. Additionally, studies have shown that magnesium helps decrease the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure , and helps prevent heart attacks.

Sunflower seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, an important neurotransmitter. Serotonin relieves tension, calms the brain and promotes relaxation.

6. Helps protect the skin: 

Vitamin E has sometimes been described as the “lightning rod” of the cell, allowing molecules to reactivate the cell, like lightning, without causing damage. This role of vitamin E is particularly evident in the case of the skin, as vitamin E directly protects the skin against ultraviolet radiation. In several studies, vitamin E has been shown to help prevent Ultra Violet damage. A diet that contains foods rich in vitamin E promotes this same protective effect.