Apparently These Are 12 Benefits of Sunflowers That Not Many People Know

Kapanlagi.com - Sunflowers are one of the annual plants from the sunflower family that are popular, both as ornamental plants and oil-producing plants. Not only oil, sunflowers also produce food in the form of sunflower seeds (sunflower seeds) which are very popular. Having extraordinary results, it is not surprising that the benefits of sunflowers are also extraordinary for body health.

Sunflowers also have unique behavior, which is that their flowers always face or lean towards the sun. Sunflower oil, which is extracted from the seeds, is used for cooking, and besides that, sunflower oil is also used to make margarine and biodiesel, because it is cheaper than olive oil.

Sunflowers like fertile soil and love sunny weather. So sunflowers are very good for the body in subtropical or highland climates. Not only does it have a beautiful shape, but this flower also has many uses.

But what are the benefits of sunflowers? According to various sources, here are 12 benefits of sunflowers for body health. Let's check it out KLovers.

1. Sunflower Content

Sunflower content (credit: Freepik)

Before knowing the benefits of sunflowers, you should also know what content is in sunflowers. In fact, the petals, leaves, stems, and sunflower seeds can all be utilized. The highest nutritional content is found in the sunflower seeds. However, here are various nutrients contained in 28 grams of sunflowers, including:

Calories: 165

Monounsaturated fat: 3 grams

Polyunsaturated fat: 9 grams

Sodium: 1 milligram

Carbohydrates: 7 grams

Fiber: 3 grams

Protein: 5.5 grams

Calcium: 20 milligrams

Iron: 1 milligram

The high content of unsaturated fatty acids in sunflowers has benefits in maintaining cardiovascular health, also known as heart disease and blood vessels. In addition, sunflowers are also believed to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as promote digestive health. You should also know that the nutritional content of sunflowers can increase when sunflower seeds begin to sprout.

2. Lowering Cholesterol Levels

The first benefit of sunflowers is that they can lower cholesterol levels in the body. This is because sunflower seeds contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids can help with metabolism and accumulation processes in the body.

Therefore, these unsaturated fatty acids can replace saturated fats and lower cholesterol levels in your body. So if you want to lower cholesterol levels naturally, you can use the benefits of sunflowers by consuming sunflower seeds, margarine, and sunflower oil extract.

3. Healthy Food for Diabetes Patients

Benefits of sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

The next benefit of sunflowers is that they can be a healthy food for diabetes patients. This is because sunflowers can control blood sugar levels in the body for diabetes patients. Sunflowers or sunflower seeds contain polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids.

And these two contents can be anti-diabetic and can protect the liver, pancreas, and other vital organs. That's why sunflower seeds can be a good food to consume for diabetes patients. Because besides being healthy, sunflower seeds can also lower blood sugar levels.

4. Anti Cancer

In addition to controlling blood sugar levels in the body, it turns out that the other benefits of sunflowers can also be anti-cancer foods. This is because sunflowers contain selenium which functions as a preventer and reduces the spread of cancer in the body. In addition, the mineral content in the form of antioxidants also slows down oxidative stress and neutralizes free radicals before causing too much damage.

Furthermore, the phytosterol content in sunflower seeds also has the potential to reduce the risk of colon cancer and increase immune system. So, to reduce the risk of cancer, you can use sunflower oil in various types of food. Or replace your margarine with margarine that contains sunflower content.

5. Managing Hypertension

Benefits of sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

Apparently, sunflowers can help overcome high blood pressure or hypertension, KLovers. Hypertension is indeed one of the dangerous diseases for the body. This is because hypertension can lead to complications such as stroke and heart attacks.

But don't worry KLovers, because you can overcome hypertension by consuming various products produced by sunflowers. This is because sunflowers contain magnesium. And this magnesium content plays an important role in the body's calcium channels, which can balance electrolytes and blood pressure.

Even by consuming 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, you can fulfill almost 30% of the daily magnesium needs in the body. That's why it's not surprising that the benefits of sunflowers can be a very good remedy for treating hypertension symptoms.

6. Brain Health

In addition, another benefit of sunflowers is good for brain health. This is because sunflowers contain tryptophan which can calm the brain and help improve mood. By consuming sunflower products regularly, it will increase serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin effectively reduces tension, making you feel relaxed. The choline content in sunflowers also plays an important role in memory and vision function.

7. As a Sedative

Benefits of sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

Apparently, sunflowers can also be a sedative, KLovers. Yup! It turns out that the benefits of sunflowers come from the magnesium content that can make people feel calm. Several studies have shown that magnesium helps reduce stress, migraines, and stay relaxed. Even the magnesium content in sunflowers functions as a sedative in some diseases.

8. Good for Pregnant Women

Another benefit of sunflowers is that they are good food for pregnant women. This is because sunflowers contain a high amount of folic acid which is very beneficial for pregnancy, especially in the seeds. This is because folic acid can help produce new cells in the body, thus assisting in DNA and RNA replication.

Furthermore, the folic acid content is very good for fetal growth and reduces the risk of birth defects. In addition, vitamin B12 in sunflower seeds functions to form hemoglobin in red blood cells. That is why it is highly recommended to consume various sunflower products for pregnant women, especially the seeds and oil extract.

9. Promoting Reproductive Health

Benefits of Sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

For those who want to have offspring, consuming sunflower seeds as a healthy snack is recommended. This is because sunflower seeds can promote reproductive health. Sunflowers are one of the good sources of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant metabolites that are structurally and functionally similar to hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone.

By consuming sunflowers, it can help balance reproductive hormones. In addition to sunflowers, consuming watermelon seeds and pumpkin seeds can also improve sperm quality due to their zinc content.

10. Boosting Immune System

Having a good immune system will protect your body from various dangerous diseases. In fact, the immune system can protect you from attacks of free radicals in the form of viruses and bacteria, which can damage body cells. Therefore, it is mandatory for you to improve your immune system with various healthy foods, one of which is sunflowers.

This is because sunflowers contain vitamin B, iron, and antioxidants that can boost the immune system. In addition, there is also magnesium content that can help overcome and prevent various allergies. The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of sunflowers also help prevent infections that can attack the body.

11. Preventing Premature Aging

Benefits of sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

It's no secret that sunflowers have good benefits for skin beauty, which is why many facial treatments use sunflowers as their main ingredient. This is because sunflowers contain a high amount of vitamin E. The antioxidant content in sunflowers also helps improve blood circulation in the skin tissue, reducing wrinkles on the skin. Vitamin E for the skin also helps provide brightness to the skin.

12. Cleansing the Skin

Who says oil will make the skin look dirty? In fact, sunflower oil can help with dirty skin, KLovers. Non-comedogenic is an agent that will not clog pores. Clogged pores can cause acne, blackheads, and other skin problems. Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic agent that can be used for any skin type, whether dry, oily, or normal. Even applying sunflower oil to the face does not cause skin irritation.

13. As Cosmetic Ingredient

Benefits of sunflowers (credit: Freepik)

And the last benefit of sunflowers is often used as a cosmetic ingredient. Sunflower oil is often used as a mixture in cosmetic products. This is because the content of oleic acid, vitamin E, sesamol, and linoleic acid in sunflower oil provides benefits for skin health.

Sunflower oil can be applied directly or used as a mixture in cosmetic products, such as hand and body lotion, body soap, facial cleanser, deodorant, and so on. Usually, sunflower oil functions as a softening agent to minimize skin irritation, so cosmetics with this ingredient can be used for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Those are the 12 benefits of sunflowers for the body that are rarely known. Not only are they a healthy snack, but sunflowers can also be a healthy oil and a cosmetic ingredient that can help with various skin problems.

(kpl/dhm)