Can a diabetic eat Sunflower seeds?
Yes, a diabetic can eat sunflower seeds. You may eat sunflower seeds on their own as a nutty and crunchy snack or add them to one of your favourite dishes. Sunflower seeds are wholesome, rich in nutrients and healthful plant compounds that have many health benefits. Some of the health benefits that sunflower seeds offer include ability to fight diabetes, heart disease and inflammation. Many experts consider sunflower seeds as a natural remedy to regulate blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics.
Sunflower seeds are excellent source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Iron, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, Zinc etc. Eating sunflower seeds can help protect brain cells, cell membranes and protect you from chronic diseases. Being high in calories, sunflower seeds are a great snack if you want some quick energy. In a way, sunflower seeds are one of the best super foods for a diabetic.
Do sunflower seeds raise blood sugar levels?
No, sunflower seeds do not raise blood sugar levels. Though sunflower seeds contain small amount of carbohydrates, you will not see spikes in blood sugar levels after eating sunflower seeds. Firstly, you will eat sunflower seeds as a snack or an addition to your meal. This means a person typically eats only small portion of sunflower seeds at a time. As a result, you will benefit from all the nutrients from sunflower seeds but will not see blood sugar spikes. If one eats too many sunflower seeds in one go, there might be some adverse side effects.
What are the benefits of eating sunflower seeds?
- Sunflower seeds are high in protein and rich in healthy fats, as well as antioxidants that can lower your risk of developing serious conditions.
- Sunflower seeds promote skin health owing to high levels of fatty oils, Zinc and vitamin E.
- Snacking on sunflower seeds raises HDL (good cholesterol) levels and thus helps maintain heart health.
- Sunflower seeds, though high in calories can help weight loss if you eat them in moderation. Being rich in polyunsaturated fats (good fats), protein, dietary fibre, vitamin E, folate, copper etc., sunflower seeds make a great snack that supports weight loss. Many people consider sunflower seeds as the best snack to shed some belly fat.
- Some studies have proved that sunflower seeds produce a peptide that inhibits production of enzymes that may raise blood pressure. This makes sunflower seeds a great snack for people with hypertension.
- Studies have proved that people who snacked on sunflower seeds for at least 5 days a week experienced reduction in C-reactive protein that causes inflammation.
- Sunflower seeds are high in Thiamine that increases cognitive function and memory. Thus, sunflower seeds can be considered a great snack that boosts your brain function, mental processing and enhances good mood.
