There are several health benefits of sunflower that you might not know about. Sunflowers are beautiful bright yellow flowers whose stem height can reach 1 to 4.5 meters. Apart from being a garden and decoration, all parts of sunflower can also be used for health because they contain vitamins and natural nutrients. Learn about nutrition, sunflower properties, etc.
Sunflower Nutrition Content
Sunflower comes from the genus Helianthus with the Latin name Helianthus annuus. Sunflower is a type of flower native to North America and has around 70 plant species. Sunflower is usually used as a cultivation species and ornamental plants because of its beautiful appearance.
Part of sunflower oil and seeds have health benefits because they contain vitamins and natural nutrients. The following is the content of sunflower seeds in every 30 grams, namely:
• 163 calories
• Carbohydrates 6.5 grams
• 3 gram fiber
• 5.5 gram protein
• Total fat is 14 grams
• Vitamin E 37% of RDI
• Niacin 10% of RDI
• Vitamin B6 11% of RDI
• Folate 17% of RDI
• Copper 26% of RDI
• Manganese 30% of RDI
• Selenium 32% of RDI
• Pantothenic acid 20% from RDI
• Iron 6% of RDI
• Magnesium 9% of RDI
• 10% Zinc from RDI
RDI (Dietary Reference Intake) is a recommended dietary intake or recommended daily intake.
Benefits of Sunflower for Health
Sunflower seeds contain vitamins and minerals that are good for health. The high content of selenium and vitamin E in sunflower seeds also functions as an antioxidant to prevent various chronic diseases.
The following are the benefits of sunflower for health, namely:
1. Help Overcome Heart disease
The main risk factor for stroke and heart disease is high blood pressure. Therefore, one way to prevent heart disease is to consume food sources that can normalize blood pressure.
Sunflower seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids, namely linoleic acid. The benefit of linoleic acid is to produce compounds that act as hormones to relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure to normal. The content of linoleic acid can also help reduce cholesterol.
There were 13 studies that reviewed that people who received linoleic acid intake had a 15% lower risk of heart disease and a 21% lower risk of death from heart disease.
In addition, sunflower seeds also contain compounds that can block the enzymes that cause stiff blood vessels, so that blood vessels become more relaxed and help lower blood pressure.
2. Helps Overcome Diabetes
Sunflower seeds contain chlorogenic acid plant compounds that have an effect on reducing blood sugar levels. A study states that consuming 30 grams of sunflower seeds every day for 6 months can help reduce fasting blood sugar up to 10%.
Sunflower seeds can also reduce the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar because the protein and fat content of the seeds can slow the process of emptying the stomach, this process will release sugar from carbohydrates gradually.
There are many studies that show the benefits of sunflower to treat diabetes, but further proof is still needed.
3. Helps Overcome Inflammation
The health benefits of sunflower seeds are to help overcome inflammation. Inflammation is a short-term natural effect of the body's immune system, but chronic inflammation can trigger the risk of chronic disease.
One of them is inflammation or C-reactive inflammation in the blood resulting from increased levels of protein and can trigger the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
One study also stated that people who ate sunflower seeds at least five times a week had C-reactive protein levels that were 32% lower, because of the abundant vitamin E content of sunflower seeds. Even so, there are no other studies that prove it medically.
4. Helps Prevent Cancer
Sunflower seeds are rich in antioxidants which play a role in fighting cancer-causing free radicals. Antioxidants in sunflower seeds play a role in repairing DNA and cells to slow the growth of cancer cells.
A study also revealed that there are chemo-preventive compounds in sunflower seeds that not only inhibit the growth of cancer cells but also kill tumor growth.
All of these ingredients are obtained from vitamin E and selenium which are effective in preventing various types of cancer, including breast cancer. The benefits of selenium are also to stop the proliferation of cancer cells and destroy tumors.
5. Supports Thyroid Function
The function of the thyroid gland in the human body is to regulate body temperature, metabolism, and heart rate. One of the thyroid disorders is hypothyroidism which is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones that affect the body's condition becomes easily tired, weight gain, etc.
The content of selenium and minerals that are rich in sunflower seeds can help improve thyroid function in the body. In addition, you are also advised to consume enough iodine to maintain thyroid health.
Benefits of Sunflower for Beauty
Sunflower oil is known to have several benefits for beauty. Sunflower oil contains oleic acid, sesamol, linoleic acid, and vitamin E which is good for the skin.
The following are the benefits of sunflower for beauty, namely:
1. Prevent Premature Aging
Vitamin E in sunflower oil is a source of antioxidants plays a role in protecting skin from free radicals from sun exposure and air pollution. The benefits of antioxidants are to reduce the risk of wrinkles and the effects of premature aging.
Apart from sun oil, other vegetable oil contents also function to maintain overall skin health such as olive oil, argan oil, marula oil, rose hip oil, etc.
2. Non-comedogenic agents
Non-comedogenic agents are not going to clog pores. Blockage of pores can cause acne, blackheads and other skin disorders.
Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic agent that can be used for any type of skin either dry, oily, or normal skin. The application of sunflower oil also does not cause skin irritation.
3. Protect the skin
The benefits of sunflower oil for beauty is to maintain healthy skin naturally. Sunflower oil is also usually used as a topical medicine for the skin.
Sunflower oil contains linoleic acid to protect the skin from germs and bacteria. Linoleic acid also functions to moisturize the skin and maintain the integrity of the outer layer of the skin.
4. Helps Heal Wounds
Research conducted on animals revealed that the content of oleic acid in sunflower oil can help heal wounds, but further research is still needed.
Side Effects of Sunflower Seeds
There are several benefits of sunflower for humans, but you also need to be aware of the side effects, so don't over consume sunflower seeds.
The following are the side effects of sunflower seeds, namely:
• Sunflower seeds contain too much sodium which can trigger heart disease and bone damage.
• An allergic reaction to sunflower seeds, although rare.
• Eating too much sunflower seeds or watermelon seeds can cause stool blockage.
• Sunflower seeds may be contaminated with Salmonella which grows in moist sprouts.
Sunflower seeds or better known as watermelon is a snack that is often consumed. That's the discussion about the benefits of sunflower for health and its side effects. I hope this information is helpful.
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