Sunflowers are rich in healthy fats, beneficial plant compounds, and several vitamins and minerals that may play a role in reducing your risk of common health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Sunflower seeds are popular in trail mix, multi-grain bread, nutrition bars, and for snacking straight from the bag.
Here’s everything you need to know about sunflower seeds, including their nutrition, benefits, and how to eat them.
Sunflower seeds are technically the fruits of the
The seeds are harvested from the plant’s large flower heads, which can measure more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter. A single sunflower head may contain up to 2,000 seeds.
There are two main types of
The sunflower seeds you eat are encased in inedible black-and-white striped shells, also called hulls. Those used for extracting sunflower oil have solid black shells.
Sunflower seeds have a mild, nutty flavor and a firm but tender texture. They’re often roasted to enhance the flavor, though you can also buy them raw.
SummarySunflower seeds come from the large flower heads of the sunflower plant. The edible variety has a mild, nutty flavor.
Sunflowers pack many nutrients into a tiny seed.
The main nutrients in 1 ounce (30 grams or 1/4 cup) of shelled, dry-roasted sunflower seeds are (3):
Sunflower seeds | |
Calories | 163 |
Total fat, which includes: | 14 grams |
• Saturated fat | 1.5 grams |
• Polyunsaturated fat | 9.2 grams |
• Monounsaturated fat | 2.7 grams |
Protein | 5.5 grams |
Carbs | 6.5 grams |
Fiber | 3 grams |
Vitamin E | 37% of the RDI |
Niacin | 10% of the RDI |
Vitamin B6 | 11% of the RDI |
Folate | 17% of the RDI |
Pantothenic acid | 20% of the RDI |
Iron | 6% of the RDI |
Magnesium | 9% of the RDI |
Zinc | 10% of the RDI |
Copper | 26% of the RDI |
Manganese | 30% of the RDI |
Selenium | 32% of the RDI |
Sunflower seeds are especially high in vitamin E and selenium. These function as antioxidants to protect your body’s cells against
Additionally, sunflower seeds are a good source of
When sunflower seeds are sprouted, their
SummarySunflower seeds are excellent sources of several nutrients — including vitamin E and selenium — and beneficial plant compounds that can help prevent chronic diseases.
Furthermore, studies link sunflower seeds to multiple other health benefits.
Inflammation
While short-term inflammation is a natural immune response,
For example, increased blood levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein is linked to an
In
Though this type of study cannot prove cause and effect, it is known that vitamin E — which is abundant in sunflower seeds — helps lower
Heart Disease
A compound in sunflower seeds blocks an enzyme that causes blood vessels to constrict. As a result, it may help your blood vessels relax, lowering your blood pressure. The magnesium in sunflower seeds helps reduce blood pressure levels as well.
Additionally, sunflower seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. Your body uses linoleic acid to make a hormone-like compound that relaxes blood vessels, promoting lower blood pressure. This fatty acid also helps lower cholesterol.
In a
Participants also noted a 9% and 12% decrease in “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, respectively.
Furthermore, in a review of 13 studies, people with the highest linoleic acid intake had a
Diabetes
The effects of sunflower seeds on blood sugar and type 2 diabetes have been tested in a few studies and seem promising, but more research is needed.
Studies suggest that people who eat 1 ounce (30 grams) of sunflower seeds daily as part of a healthy diet may reduce fasting blood sugar by about 10% within six months, compared to a healthy diet alone.
The blood-sugar-lowering effect of sunflower seeds may partially be due to the plant compound
SummarySunflower seeds contain nutrients and plant compounds that help reduce your risk of inflammation, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
While sunflower seeds are healthy, they have several potential downsides.
Calories and Sodium
Though rich in nutrients, sunflower seeds are relatively high in calories.
Eating the seeds in the shell is a simple way to slow your eating pace and calorie intake while snacking, as it takes time to crack open and spit out each shell.
However, if you’re watching your salt intake, keep in mind that the shells — which people commonly suck on before cracking them open — are often coated with more than 2,500 mg of sodium — 108% of the RDI — per 1/4 cup (30 grams) (
Sodium content may not be apparent if the label only provides nutrition information for the edible portion — the kernels inside the shells. Some brands sell reduced-sodium versions.
Cadmium
Another reason to eat sunflower seeds in moderation is their
Sunflowers tend to take up
The WHO advises a weekly limit of
When people ate 9 ounces (255 grams) of sunflower seeds per week for one year, their average estimated cadmium intake increased from
Therefore, you shouldn’t worry about eating reasonable amounts of sunflower seeds, such as 1 ounce (30 grams) per day — but you shouldn’t eat a bagful in a day.
Sprouted Seeds
Sprouting is an increasingly popular method of preparing seeds.
Occasionally, seeds are contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as
This is of special concern in raw sprouted sunflower seeds, which may not have been heated above 118℉ (48℃).
Drying sunflower seeds at higher temperatures helps destroy harmful bacteria. One study found that drying partially sprouted sunflower seeds at temperatures of 122℉ (50℃) and above
If bacterial contamination is discovered in certain products, they may be recalled — as has happened with raw sprouted sunflower seeds. Never eat recalled products.
Stool Blockages
Eating a large number of sunflower seeds at once has occasionally resulted in
Eating sunflower seeds in the shell may increase your odds of fecal impaction, as you may
An impaction may leave you unable to have a bowel movement. Your doctor may need to remove the blockage while you’re under general anesthesia.
Besides being constipated due to the fecal impaction, you may leak liquid stool around the blockage and have abdominal pain and nausea, among other symptoms.
Allergies
Though allergies to sunflower seeds are relatively uncommon,
The allergens are various proteins in the seeds.
Refined sunflower oil is far less likely to contain enough of the allergenic proteins, but in rare cases, highly sensitive people have had reactions to
In your home,
In addition to food allergies, some people have developed allergies to
SummaryMeasure sunflower seed portions to avoid excessive calorie intake and potentially high exposure to cadmium. Though uncommon, bacterial contamination of sprouted seeds, sunflower seed allergies and intestinal blockages may occur.
Sunflower seeds are sold either in the shell or as shelled kernels.
Those still in the shell are commonly eaten by cracking them with your teeth, then spitting out the shell — which shouldn’t be eaten. These seeds are a particularly popular snack at baseball games and other outdoor sports games.
Shelled sunflower seeds are more versatile. Here are various ways you can eat them:
- Add to trail mix.
- Stir into homemade granola bars.
- Sprinkle on a leafy green salad.
- Stir into hot or cold cereal.
- Sprinkle over fruit or yogurt parfaits.
- Add to stir-fries.
- Stir into tuna or chicken salad.
- Sprinkle over sautéed vegetables.
- Add to veggie burgers.
- Use in place of pine nuts in pesto.
- Top casseroles.
- Grind the seeds and use as a coating for fish.
- Add to baked goods, such as breads and muffins.
- Dip an apple or banana in sunflower seed butter.
Sunflower seeds may turn blue-green when baked. This is due to a
Lastly, sunflower seeds are prone to becoming rancid due to their high fat content. Store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer to protect against rancidity.
SummaryUnshelled sunflower seeds are a popular snack, while shelled varieties can be eaten by the handful or added to any number of foods, such as trail mix, salads and baked goods.
Sunflower seeds make for a nutty, crunchy snack and a tasty addition to countless dishes.
They pack various nutrients and plant compounds that may help fight inflammation, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Still, they’re calorie-dense and may lead to unwanted side effects if you eat too many.