Sunflower Seeds
The sunflower gets more attention than its edible progeny, sunflower seeds. Yet, these black-striped, tear drop-shaped shells housing grayish seeds are amazing in their own right. Naturally rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated oils, sunflower seeds are very high in the powerful antioxidant, vitamin E -- a 1/4-cup serving provides over 90 percent of the Daily Value (based on 2,000 calories/day.) These nutty seeds also provide protein, B vitamins and important minerals, such as manganese, magnesium and selenium. And that's not all -- sunflower seeds are one of the best sources of phytosterols, a compound known to lower blood cholesterol levels.
葵花籽
向日葵很炫目,而葵花籽则不怎么引人注意。然而这种灰黑相间,外壳呈泪滴形状的纤小果实正因为自身功效而备受瞩目。葵花籽富含大量对心脏有益的不饱和脂肪,同时抗氧化物质的功效和含量一样高,维生素E的含量也极高——1/4杯的葵花籽能提供人体每日维生素E摄入量的90%(假如这个人每天要消耗2000卡路里的话)。这些小小的坚果还能提供蛋白质、维生素B和重要的矿物质,比如锰元素、镁元素和硒元素。还没完——葵花籽还是提取植物固醇的最佳原料,植物固醇能够有效降低血液中的胆固醇含量。