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Sunflower seeds are generally used as dumplings, and this snack is quite popular with Indonesians. Despite their small size, sunflower seeds have many health benefits, lho.
Sunflower seeds come from the sunflower plant ( Helianthus annuus ). The seed flesh covered by a black shell with white stripes has a savory taste and a crunchy texture.
Besides being used as a snack, sunflower seeds can also be a complement to food, such as salad or oatmeal porridge.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. In addition, sunflower seeds also contain many vitamins and minerals needed by the body, such as vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, and iron.
Seeing the abundance of these nutrients, it's no wonder that sunflower seeds can bring various health benefits, including:
1. Prevents inflammation
Prolonged inflammation of the body can lead to chronic disease. Well, the benefits of sunflower seeds in this case are to prevent inflammation in the body.
This is because sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, flavonoids, and bioactive compounds that can act as anti-inflammatory to inhibit and suppress inflammatory reactions.
In fact, in one study it was proven that consuming sunflower seeds five or more times a week can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
2. Maintain heart health
The benefits of sunflower seeds in maintaining heart health come from various aspects. The bioactive peptides and magnesium compounds in this snack are known to reduce high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart failure.
Besides that, sunflower seeds are also rich in linoleic acid, which is a type of unsaturated fatty acid that can nourish the heart. This substance can help reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the blood thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
3. Maintain blood sugar levels
Sunflower seeds are one of the lowest glycemic index snacks. Snacks like this are suitable for consumption by diabetics because they will not increase blood sugar drastically.
In addition, research shows that consuming 30 grams of sunflower seeds daily for 6 months can lower blood sugar levels by as much as 10%. This is thought to be due to the content of chlorogenic acid compounds which are contained in sunflower seeds.
4. Maintain digestive health
30 grams of sunflower seeds contain about 3 grams of fiber. Even though it is relatively small (only meets 1/8 of the daily needs), the presence of fiber in the daily diet can increase the work of the intestines in absorbing nutrients and maintaining the balance of good bacteria in the intestines.
5. Maintain ideal body weight
Getting the ideal body weight is the dream of many people. Well , you can make it happen by regularly snacking on sunflower seeds. The protein, healthy fats, and fiber content in sunflower seeds can make you feel fuller longer so that it can reduce the desire to overeat.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the nutritional content and compounds in sunflower seeds are also thought to relieve PMS symptoms, maintain healthy bones and skin, prevent babies born with neural tube defects, and maintain and repair body tissues.
Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack option, but they're also calorie dense. Therefore, don't overdo it, so you avoid obesity and diabetes. In addition, consuming excessive sunflower seeds also has the risk of causing hardening of the stool which can lead to chronic constipation.
So, if you want to get the benefits of sunflower seeds, limit your consumption to 30 grams (± 160 calories) per day.
If you experience an allergic reaction or have difficulty defecating due to eating too much sunflower seeds, contact your doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
Label : Healthy life
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