Sunflower Seed Butter: 5 Benefits & Uses

You may have snacked on a few sunflower seeds here and there, but have you ever tried sunflower seed butter? Seed butters provide a safe alternative to peanut butter for those who suffer from a nut or peanut allergy. Like sunflower seeds, the butter is packed with nutrients. It contains Vitamin E, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, along with plenty of healthy fats. Sunflower seed butter is relatively high in omega-6 fatty acids, so it's important to make sure you're consuming plenty of omega-3 fatty acids when adding the seed butter to your diet. As long as you're consuming sunflower seed butter in moderation and snacking on plenty of omega-3 foods, it can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your diet. Sunflower seed benefits include the ability to provide the body with essential nutrients and healing antioxidants.

Sunflower Seed Butter Benefits

1. Provide the Body With Protein

Sunflower seed butter benefits include the ability to provide the body with a healthy dose of protein. Each serving of sunflower seed butter contains about three grams of protein. When paired with some healthy carbs, sunflower seed butter makes a great pre- and post-workout snack! The body utilizes protein to maintain strong muscles, increase satiety after a meal and keep the metabolism running smoothly. (1)

2. Provide the Body With Vitamin E

Sunflower seed butter benefits include the ability to provide the body with Vitamin E. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to help balance cholesterol levels, slow aging and reduce free radical damage. Thanks to Vitamin E, sunflower seed butter benefits also include increased immunity. Research has shown that Vitamin E supports healthy immune system function. It increases your ability to fight off infections and diseases. (2)

3. Provide the Body with Magnesium

Sunflower seed butter benefits include the ability to provide the body with magnesium. Magnesium plays an important role in maintaining energy levels, relieving muscle cramps and spasms and promoting a deep, restful sleep. Studies have shown that magnesium can help improve insomnia by increasing sleep efficiency and sleep time. It also works to balance melatonin and serum cortisol levels, which effect sleep patterns.

4. Provide the Body With Healthy Fats

Sunflower seed butter benefits include the ability to provide the body with healthy fats. The body uses healthy fats to carry nutrients throughout the body, absorb the vitamins and minerals from your food and give your skin a healthy, youthful glow. Thanks to the unsaturated fats it contains, sunflower seed butter benefits also include the ability to lower cholesterol levels and fight inflammation. (3)

5. Is Highly Unprocessed

Sunflower seed butter benefits the body as an unprocessed food. Many peanut butters are full of added ingredients, like sugars and hydrogenated oils. Sunflower seed butter benefits include the fact that it's highly unprocessed. You get the nutrients and health benefits, without the harmful added ingredients.