Fighting Disease with Sunflower Seeds

The following list may be very unfamiliar to us but they have shown many benefits to the human body system and with the correct amounts could even help in fighting disease if consumed in its original natural whole state.

Arginine: This has some potential benefits to our heart.

Choline: This has a role in the cognitive function/memory.

Tocopherols: Or better known as Vitamin E, has been known to specifically aid the cardiovascular system.

Lignans: May lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Been shown to also protect against some cancers as well as heart disease.

Chlorogenic acid or Phenolic acids: are an anti-carcinogen and an antioxidant.

Betaine : May also help in protecting the cardiovascular system.

The daily consumption of whole grains, nuts, seeds and plant foods are certainly being paid more attention to these days by researchers and scientists alike. For one, they have seen that sunflower seeds contain protein; healthy fats, minerals, fiber, and vitami
E, as we have seen these are very important in the role of fighting disease and can add nutritional excellence to our diets.

Try a morning whole grain cereal topped with a handful of sunflower seeds to start your day. Or how about a fruit smoothie and throw in some almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds. Actually if you are a vegetarian/vegan then these good wholesome proteins are very necessary and help with your over all protein intake. I have found most certainly that the whole lack of protein myth in vegetarians/vegan is just that a myth. Just include these natural whole foods in your daily intake and you will see positive difference.

In March of 2001 Dr. K. Phillips of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University did some extensive research on the sunflower kernel. The listing above shows the research uncovered that the sunflower kernel boasts its number of nutrients that may protect the cardiovascular system as well as other forms of disease. These nutrients act as anti-carcinogens and antioxidants. As a “whole” food this unique little kernel packs a lot of punch and should be included in everyone’s diet.

In summary – They may not be too familiar to us lay people but the whole sunflower kernel contains substantial levels of choline, betaine, phenolic acids, vitami
E, and a good source of lignans and arginine. Even though the jury may not be totally in on all the benefits of whole foods we see that the sunflower kernel packs a serious nutritional punch and the studies shows that it offers a variety of benefits to our health.