5.7.2 Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperglycaemia produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then lays foundation for lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. The free radicals, in diabetic
patients, lead to secondary complications like damage to the kidney, eye, blood
vessels and nerves. Antioxidants may offer protection from the growth of diabetes by
preventing the destruction of β-cells, thus inhibiting the peroxidation chain reaction.
Sunflower seeds are naturally gifted with antioxidants, viz. vitamin E and C, phenolic acids and flavonoids, that can maintain β-cell function and avoid diabetesinduced ROS formation. Consuming sunflower seeds offers several critical
micronutrients like folate and magnesium. Eating plenty of magnesium has been
reported to lower risk of type 2 diabetes (Razzaque 2018; Sobczak et al. 2019).
Research has suggested that consumption of sunflower seeds/oil resulted in a
decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus II patients and animals
(Madigan et al. 2000; Sebbagh et al. 2009; Pal 2011). Besides, sunflower seeds have
been recommended as a domestic and natural cure to provide control over the blood
sugar levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.
5.7.3 In Reducing the Risks of Cancer
Sunflower seeds are a rich source of phytochemicals like phenolic acids and lignans,
which may help prevent heart disease and cancer (Al-Jumaily et al. 2013; Smith et al.
2016). The presence of high amounts of phytosterols like β-sitosterol in sunflower
seeds, phenolic compounds and other bioactive components prevents the development of several types of tumour cells and reduces the size and scope of tumour
metastases (Kapadia et al. 2002; Taha et al. 2011, 2012; Pal 2011). Selenium,
another important component of sunflower seeds, gets attached to the active site of
numerous proteins, for example, glutathione peroxidise (antioxidant enzyme), which
has been observed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer (Nkengfack et al. 2019)
5.7.4 Role in Inflammatory Diseases and Immune Function
Sunflower seeds have shown their potential in preventing chronic inflammatory
conditions like bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Pal 2011;
Odabasoglu et al. 2008; Macías et al. 2002). Substantial amount of zinc is also
present in the seeds, which helps boost the immune system. Sunflower seed oil has
been found to play an important role in the wound healing process, particularly in the
inflammation phase (Lania et al. 2019; Maver et al. 2018). The oil stimulates
re-epithelialization and the formation of collagen fibres in oral wound healing
(Eichenfield et al. 2009). This effect has been attributed to the presence of high
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S. Khurana and R. Singh
Hyperglycaemia produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then lays foundation for lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. The free radicals, in diabetic
patients, lead to secondary complications like damage to the kidney, eye, blood
vessels and nerves. Antioxidants may offer protection from the growth of diabetes by
preventing the destruction of β-cells, thus inhibiting the peroxidation chain reaction.
Sunflower seeds are naturally gifted with antioxidants, viz. vitamin E and C, phenolic acids and flavonoids, that can maintain β-cell function and avoid diabetesinduced ROS formation. Consuming sunflower seeds offers several critical
micronutrients like folate and magnesium. Eating plenty of magnesium has been
reported to lower risk of type 2 diabetes (Razzaque 2018; Sobczak et al. 2019).
Research has suggested that consumption of sunflower seeds/oil resulted in a
decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus II patients and animals
(Madigan et al. 2000; Sebbagh et al. 2009; Pal 2011). Besides, sunflower seeds have
been recommended as a domestic and natural cure to provide control over the blood
sugar levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.
5.7.3 In Reducing the Risks of Cancer
Sunflower seeds are a rich source of phytochemicals like phenolic acids and lignans,
which may help prevent heart disease and cancer (Al-Jumaily et al. 2013; Smith et al.
2016). The presence of high amounts of phytosterols like β-sitosterol in sunflower
seeds, phenolic compounds and other bioactive components prevents the development of several types of tumour cells and reduces the size and scope of tumour
metastases (Kapadia et al. 2002; Taha et al. 2011, 2012; Pal 2011). Selenium,
another important component of sunflower seeds, gets attached to the active site of
numerous proteins, for example, glutathione peroxidise (antioxidant enzyme), which
has been observed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer (Nkengfack et al. 2019)
5.7.4 Role in Inflammatory Diseases and Immune Function
Sunflower seeds have shown their potential in preventing chronic inflammatory
conditions like bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Pal 2011;
Odabasoglu et al. 2008; Macías et al. 2002). Substantial amount of zinc is also
present in the seeds, which helps boost the immune system. Sunflower seed oil has
been found to play an important role in the wound healing process, particularly in the
inflammation phase (Lania et al. 2019; Maver et al. 2018). The oil stimulates
re-epithelialization and the formation of collagen fibres in oral wound healing
(Eichenfield et al. 2009). This effect has been attributed to the presence of high
136
S. Khurana and R. Singh