Ok, admit it: Breakfast can get a little boring sometimes. Yes, we hate saying it, but it’s true. Especially if you’re in a rush in the morning, those granola bars aren’t going to cut it.
So, did you know that adding in one ingredient—no matter what meal it’s for—can drastically change the flavor or health benefits? Well, now you do—and that’s what sunflower seeds can do if you add them into your a.m granola.
These little seeds—that you usually find people munching on and spitting out the shells—is the highest natural source of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E. A 1/4 cup serving provides nearly all of your daily recommended value, so why not add in a little to your store-bought or homemade granola?
A few more reasons to make sunflower seeds a staple in your breakfast? No problem:
- They can reduce the risk of breast cancer. They provide selenium, another antioxidant that studies have shown to help stop cancer cells from multiplying in the body as well as help to halt the growth of cancerous tumors, breast cancer in particular.
- They can improve your skin health. Since sunflower seeds contain such a high amount of vitamin E, they can help keep your skin smooth and soft—especially as you age.
- They can reduce inflammation. A big cause of many diseases, sunflower seeds have the power to help lower inflammation—vitamin E levels work to counteract it. Research shows that vitamin E’s anti-inflammatory abilities are helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease by helping clear blocked arteries.