Share
With the introduction of numerous varieties of nut and seed butter, such as almond and cashew, there have never been more possibilities to slather on toast or dip apples in. One of them is sunflower seed butter. Because it is an excellent allergy-friendly alternative to tree nut butter, it has exploded in popularity. Its distinct flavour is difficult to resist, leave alone its high nutritious content. It is an excellent choice for those allergic to nuts and nut butter.
It can be purchased commercially or prepared at home. Let's find out its health boons.
Loaded with protein
Sunflower seed butter can give tough competition to peanut butter. Each serving of sunflower butter contains roughly three grammes of protein, which is a good amount for a snack, especially when combined with carbs. Protein keeps your muscles robust, and your hard work in the gym pays off. You feel fuller and more satisfied for extended periods, forcing you to eat less. It also keeps your metabolism working properly, allowing you to lose weight faster. Protein provides your cells with the energy they require to function optimally.
A rich source of Vitamin E
One of our bodies' preferred antioxidants is vitamin E. It aids in the natural balance of cholesterol, keeping good and bad levels in check. It also inhibits free radical damage, which helps to naturally decrease ageing and cell damage in our bodies. It even boosts immunity. Sunflower seed butter is an excellent source of vitamin E. In fact, just one tablespoon spread on toast or eaten with fruit offers a whopping 24 per cent of our daily needs.
High on healthy fat
While some may be put off by the fat content of sunflower seed butter, this would be a huge mistake. Sunflower seed butter is abundant in healthful fat. Because this butter is mainly constituted of unsaturated fats, it helps lower cholesterol and inflammation. Our bodies require fat, and by feeding it healthy fats like those found in sunflower butter and other seeds, you give it the tools it needs to transport vitamins throughout your body, absorb nutrients from foods, and give your skin a youthful glow.
Sunflower seed butter on bread toast, Image Source: Freepik
A great source of Omega 6
The spread also contains a lot of omega-6 fatty acids. This acid is not produced by human bodies and must be taken from food sources. Most of us have too many omega-6s and far too few omega-3s, which can lead to inflammation. Include sunflower seed butter as well. But don't go overboard and ensure you're getting enough omega-3s.
A storehouse of magnesium
Magnesium is the most vital mineral in our systems, yet most people have some type of magnesium deficit. This can have serious health consequences because magnesium is essential for maintaining energy levels, alleviating muscle spasms, and allowing us to achieve deep, quality sleep at night. According to one study, magnesium enhances subjective markers of insomnia, such as sleep efficiency, sleep time, start latency, and early morning wakeup. Snacking on sunflower butter offers roughly 15% of your daily requirements. It's not awful for a tablespoon.
A jar of creamy sunflower seed butter, Image Source: Freepik
What you must remember:
Sunflower seed butter is completely natural. Sunflower seeds are similarly inexpensive, but sunflower butter is not. Making it at home is your best bet. Fortunately, if you have a food processor, it's a piece of cake! You have complete control over what goes into the butter. Though the butter contains healthful fats, they come at a calorie cost. Take note of each additional serving (1 tablespoon). To preserve the balance of fatty acids while making the sunflower seed butter, add flaxseed to boost the omega-3s.
