What Are the Dangers of Eating Too Many Sunflower Seeds?
While sunflower seeds do have benefits, such as protein, they also can be unhealthy if too many are consumed.
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Calories
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Eating too much of anything, sunflower seeds included, can lead to eating too many calories. According to the University of Wisconsin Health Sciences, 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds is 375 calories.
Sodium
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Salted sunflower seeds contain a lot of sodium, which could lead to high blood pressure and even heart disease.
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Vitamin B6
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Although it's hard to do, it is possible to intake too much vitamin B6 while eating too many sunflower seeds. Overdosing on B6 typically consists of tingling in the hands and feet, lack of muscle coordination and stumbling.
Tooth Damage
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Shelling, chomping and chewing mass quantities of sunflower seeds can cause damage to the teeth over time.
Considerations
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According to Love to Know Vegetarians, avoid eating too many sunflower seeds that are deep fried as well as seeds that are chemically flavored.
Warning
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Eating unshelled sunflower seeds can cause impaction of the shells in the rectum. Removing the seeds under general anesthesia is almost always necessary, reports the National Institutes of Health.
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