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silent asked in HealthWomen's Health · 1 decade ago

Sunflower seed VS cholesterol?

I have a very high cholesterol level - 7.5. I have been working very hard to lower it since I discovered it in Oct 2010, with a balanced diet and daily brisk walk. I love sunflower seed .. the question is, will my habit in eating the seeds worsen my cholesterol level? Is it bad for me?

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  • Ane
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Sunflower seeds actually LOWER your cholesterol.

    This is from my favorite foods site:

    "Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, and when present in the diet in sufficient amounts, are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers.

    Phytosterols beneficial effects are so dramatic that they have been extracted from soybean, corn, and pine tree oil and added to processed foods, such as "butter"-replacement spreads, which are then touted as cholesterol-lowering "foods." But why settle for an imitation "butter" when Mother Nature's nuts and seeds are a naturally rich source of phytosterols-and cardio-protective fiber, minerals and healthy fats as well?

    In a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers published the amounts of phytosterols present in nuts and seeds commonly eaten in the United States.

    Sesame seeds had the highest total phytosterol content (400-413 mg per 100 grams), and English walnuts and Brazil nuts the lowest (113 mg/100grams and 95 mg/100 grams). (100 grams is equivalent to 3.5 ounces.) Of the nuts and seeds typically consumed as snack foods, sunflower seeds and pistachios were richest in phytosterols (270-289 mg/100 g), followed by pumpkin seeds (265 mg/100 g)."

    A ¼ cup has no cholesterol in it. This is the in depth nutritional list: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrientp...

    Source(s): The actual page about sunflower seeds: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice...
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