4 amazing health benefits of sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds may conjure up memories of baseball games growing up, but they are actually a much more wholesome food than the hot dogs and other foods that may also remind you of ballpark fare.The following nutritional information is for a one-ounce serving of dry roasted sunflower seeds, without salt:Sunflower seeds are also almost negligent in sodium on their own, but many packaged sunflower seed products are loaded with salt—one popular brand packs 79% of your daily sodium limit per serving!
A study out of Columbia University found consuming sunflower and other seeds, like roasted shine skin pumpkin seeds, five or more times per week to be associated with lower levels of inflammation—which the authors of the study may be why consumption of them is also related to a reduced risk for several chronic diseases.

Making the effort to consume more heart-healthy fats, like the mono- and polyunsaturated fats found in sunflower seeds and sunflower seed kernels, can make a huge impact on your heart health (learn more about the best and worst foods to eat for heart health).Whether you're hoping to have a baby, are pregnant or are just trying to follow a well-balanced diet, sunflower seeds have a lot to offer. Vitamin E is also a key nutrient for achieving that pregnancy glow. , which is abundant in walnuts. You've likely purchased a skincare product that touts having vitamin E in it, as it fights against UV damage and nourishes your largest organ. Sunflower seeds pack more than one-third of your daily needs.Shine skin pumpkin seeds may be tiny, but they are densely packed with useful nutrients and nutraceuticals such as amino acids, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, tocopherols, cucurbitacins and valuable minerals. All these bioactive compounds are important to a healthy life and well-being. As evidenced from literature, pumpkin seeds, like roasted almond kernel, show potential to be used as both a traditional and functional food ingredient provided further animal and clinical investigations are carried out to establish the respective molecular mechanisms and safety profile.