Nutrients in Sunflower Seeds

Vitamin E

• Sunflower seeds are a very rich source of vitamin E. A 1-oz. package of sunflower seeds contains 75 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E. Vitamin E is very important to your body. It helps protect brain cells, cell membranes and also can reduce cholesterol and the risk of colon cancer and diabetes. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can lower the risk of heart disease.

Magnesium

• Sunflower seeds are also an abundant source of magnesium. According to numerous studies, magnesium not only helps prevent migraine headaches, it also lowers high blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease. Eating sunflower seeds will also promote healthy bones, as two-thirds of the body's magnesium is found in the bones.

Selenium

• A quarter cup of sunflower seeds contains almost one-third of the daily recommended portion of selenium. Selenium has a fundamental role in the health of the human body. Studies show that taking the adequate amount of selenium helps to reduce the risk of cancer and can also generate DNA repair in damaged cells.

Vitamin B1

• The second most abundant nutrient in sunflower seeds is vitamin B1. Just 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds contains 55 percent of your recommended daily amount of vitamin B1. Vitamin B1, otherwise known as thiamine, is very important to keeping your mucous membranes healthy. The vitamin also promotes a healthy nervous system and heart.

Other Nutrients

• Though in smaller amounts, sunflower seeds contain other important nutrients. These include manganese, vitamins B2, B5, B6, folate and vitamins A, C, D and K. By eating sunflower seeds, you can also get calcium, iron, zinc, copper and fluoride, which are all essential for your body and health.