Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

There are two types of sunflower seeds: oilseed and non-oilseed.

Oilseed sunflower seeds are black in color and are used to make sunflower oil and sunflower meal. So what is sunflower meal? When oil is extracted from the oilseed variety of sunflower seeds a by-product is formed which is sunflower meal. The meal is used as livestock feed.

Non-oilseed sunflower seeds are the variety which is used in food or eaten raw. Non-oilseeds appear as black and white striped seeds.

Sunflower seeds produce three kinds of oil: linoleic, high oleic and NuSun. The difference in the three is due to the amount of oleic levels contained in each one.

Sunflower seeds are ideal snacks but always eat in moderation. Excess consumption of sunflower seeds can be harmful. Several articles on the internet suggest eating 1 cup or 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds a day. My advice is to consult your health care provider/doctor for he would be the ideal person to let you know the proper amount.

Sunflower seeds contain vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is vital for our body for it helps to prevent anemia by aiding in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 also stimulates the growth of white blood cells which is needed by the body to fight infection. But excess amounts of Vitamin B6 can harm the body causing nerve damage hence affecting the proper functioning of certain parts of the body e. g. muscle co-ordination, tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet. A daily intake of 100 mg of Vitamin B6 is suggested to be safe but 200 mg or more is not.

Store-bought sunflower seeds contain a lot of salt whether it’s the roasted or unroasted kind. So take note of this when you’re eating sunflower seeds and choose the un-salted kind.

Sunflower seeds are also high in calories. 1 cup of sunflower seeds contains around 269 calories. 

Apart from eating the seeds to maintain healthy skin and hair including a fit body, the oil too is beneficial. Some doctors are known to advise their patients especially those with cardiovascular problems to use sunflower oil in their cooking in place of other oil varieties.

Soaking in a warm bath which has ½ cup of sunflower oil added to it for 15 to 20 minutes will revitalize your skin. This is an ideal bath to soak in two times a week for those suffering from dry rough skin.

Sunflower oil mixed with sugar and applied on the wet skin during a shower or bath is an ideal scrub to get rid of dry flaky skin.

To make the scrub mix together 2 cups granulated sugar with 1 cup sunflower oil.

Wet the skin with warm water from the shower/bath. Massage the scrub in circular motions onto skin paying special attention to the neck, elbow, knees, thighs and feet. Leave the scrub on for 2 minutes on the skin after massaging before rinsing off with warm water.