What are the Benefits of Sunflower Seeds and Pumpkin Seeds?
If you’ve ever been to a baseball stadium or carved pumpkins at Halloween, you know how popular sunflower seeds and pumpkins seeds are as a food choice.
So the question becomes—Are sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds good for you?
The answer is yes, which is why Hero Bread uses them for the delicious crunch in their Seeded Bread, along with:
What Are Sunflower Seed Benefits?
Sunflower seeds are high in fiber and polyunsaturated/monounsaturated fats. They are also rich in protein and loaded with Vitamin E, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and choline
In addition, sunflower seeds have properties that have been shown to:
Reduce Cholesterol and Heart-Disease Risk
- The fiber in sunflower seeds helps decrease LDL cholesterol levels
- Niacin or vitamin B3 present in sunflower seeds reduces total cholesterol levels and heart-disease risk
Reduce Cancer Risk
- Sunflower seeds contain high levels of phytoestrogen
- High and low consumption of sunflower and pumpkin seeds were associated with significantly reduced postmenopausal breast-cancer risk—compared to no consumption
Aid in Weight Loss
Sunflower seeds contain a substantial amount of plant-based protein, which can:
- Contribute to prolonged feelings of fullness
- Decrease overall caloric intake
Help Those With Anemia
- Sunflower seeds are a good source of iron
- Consuming sunflower seeds helps to up iron levels—helping people suffering from anemia
Reduce Inflammation
What Are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds have many of the same health benefits as sunflower seeds—they just come from a different shell.
Pumpkin Seeds Are Packed with Minerals
Among them:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Magnesium, which helps regulate muscle and nerve function; blood-sugar level; and blood pressure
Pumpkin Seeds Help Boost Immunity
- Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of the mineral selenium
- Selenium helps boost immune function, improving hair and nail health, and supporting a healthy thyroid
Pumpkin Seeds Play a Role in Disease Prevention
- Several types of unsaturated fatty acids are the dominant component in pumpkin seeds which can play a role in disease prevention
Pumpkin Seeds May Aid in Decreasing Osteoporosis Risk
- Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium, which is important for bone formation
- High magnesium intake has associations with higher bone density
- Low blood levels of magnesium have links to an increased risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Pumpkin Seeds Help with Blood-Sugar Control
Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, which helps regulate blood-sugar levels, lowering your diabetes risk.
Are Sunflower Seeds and Pumpkin Seeds in Hero Bread?
The seed mix for Hero Bread’s Seeded Bread is thoughtfully chosen for its taste, texture, flavor, and health benefits.
Anybody who has ever eaten Hero Bread’s Seeded Bread is aware of the delicious taste and unique texture—due in large part to the mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkins seeds, and flax seeds.
This mixture ensures an artisanal feel with each flavor-filled bite of Hero Seeded Bread.
