Raw Sunflower Seed Kernels by Gerbs - 2 LBS. - Top 14 Food Allergen Free & NON GMO - Vegan & Kosher

What are Sunflower Seeds? The sunflower in its own right is a beautiful decorative plant, but what many fail to stop and appreciative is the benefits its Sunflower Seeds can have on us. Possessing the scientific name Helianthus annuus, there are over 50 species of the sunflower, most of which are native to North America, except for about 3 specific species that are native to South America. The sunflower should be known for more than its beauty, however, as its seeds are unique in the spectrum of nutrients they contain, ranking among the top 10 sources for many nutrients, such as Copper, Selenium, Vitamin E and many more. As such, there is much to gain from consumption of sunflower seeds, either as it or lightly toasted, as is common to do to pumpkin seeds. 1. Help Improve Cholesterol Levels: Sunflower seeds, like many beneficial nuts and seeds, are a rich source of fats, in this case monounsaturated and polyunsaturated ones. These are known for reducing LDL levels (known as the bad cholesterol), a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Sunflower seeds are also rich in fiber, which by themselves help to promote bile excretion in feces and a corresponding reduction in overall cholesterol, as cholesterol is required for synthesis of new bile acids. 2. Helps Support Bone Health: Bone is living tissue, which requires nutrition like many other parts of the body to retain its ideal function, contrary to the belief that it is dead tissue. Though most people associate calcium with being the mineral responsible for bone health, it is merely one of a team of nutrients that is necessary for optimal bone health, with the supporting minerals having a very important part to play. In particular, are the minerals magnesium, phosphorus and copper, which ensure proper bone mineralization. Without proper mineralization, bone is structurally weak, and prone to easy fractures. 3. Help Control Blood Sugar: Diets that contain a high amount of nuts and seeds as part of their daily meal plans have shown a positive association to a lower rate of diabetes development, complications resulting from worsening of diabetes, and overall blood sugar management. In this case, sunflower seeds are loaded with fiber which slow down the absorption of blood sugar into the blood, while magnesium helps to improve insulin sensitivity. This combination results in improved blood glucose control for the majority of people that consume it. 4. Promote Healthy Detoxification: Selenium is an important mineral when it comes to assisting in the removal of waste material from the body, playing a role in many biological processes. It plays a role in the maintenance of the body’s strongest natural anti-oxidant glutathione, which the liver used to safeguard itself from the effects of metabolism of waste. Selenium has also been shown to help stimulate repair of damaged cells owing to the action of toxins on them. 5. Support The Health Of Your Skin: Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which plays an integral role in skin health and maintenance. Vitamin E reduces oxidative damage to skin cells caused by UV rays, helps to reflect some of them, and helps keep your skin looking youthful. Vitamin E is widely used in the cosmetic industry to support skin health, with oral consumption the superior way to get yours. 6. Promote Good Mood And Restful Sleep: The mineral magnesium is once again responsible for sunflower seeds beneficial effects on mood, helping to improve brain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter strongly determinant of our mood. It also helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in high amounts inhibits the neurotransmitters responsible for a good mood. Sunflower seeds are also rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that helps to bring about restful sleep and relaxation at night. 7. Sunflower Seeds Are A Rich Source of Protein.