Sunflower Seeds - A Classic American Crop

🌻 Sunflowers and their seeds are one of the few crops that originated in North America and are thought to have been domesticated around 1000 BC.

🌻 Sunflowers have many uses and account for 14% of the world’s seed oil production.

🌻 Since seeds have to be able to sustain the life of the next generation of plants, they can be a great source of many nutrients and sunflower seeds are no exception. Usually a tablespoon or two per day is enough to get a good amount of their nutrients.

🌻 Macros of a 1-cup serving of sunflower seeds are: 269 calories, 9.2g carbs, 23.7g fat, 9.6g protein, 4g fiber, 0g cholesterol.

🌻 As for vitamins, that same 1-cup will yield: 76% daily value (DV) of vitamin E, 45% DV thiamin, 19% DV niacin, 31% DV vitamin B6, 26% DV folate, and other trace vitamins like vitamin C, riboflavin, choline, and betaine.

🌻 Minerals found in 1-cup include: 13% DV iron, 37% DV magnesium, 30% DV phosphorus. 41% DV copper, 45% DV manganese, 35% selenium, and other trace minerals like calcium, potassium, and zinc.

🌻 The good fats found in sunflower seeds may help keep blood cholesterol levels in the body under control.

🌻 There’s an acid called chlorogenic acid found in sunflower seeds that can help inhibit the breakdown of glycogen in the liver, which may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. The combo of fiber and magnesium in sunflower seeds can help reduce the risk as well.

🌻 Chronic inflammation may be reduced by the high amounts of vitamin E found in sunflower seeds. It’s been found that chronic inflammation may lead to many severe conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and autoimmune diseases.

🌻 The antioxidants in the seeds can help protect your body’s DNA and possibly reduce your risk of developing conditions such as emphysema, macular degeneration, ulcers, and Alzheimer’s.

🌻 Pantothenic acid found in the seeds can help reduce muscle cramps and may improve thyroid function.