What Is Sunflower Lecithin and How Can It Benefit Your Health?

Lecithin is a naturally occurring substance in the body, as well as in plants and animals. It’s an emulsifier, which means it keeps fats and oils separate from other substances, protecting cell membranes and providing a wide range of other benefits. 

Sunflower lecithin is a popular ingredient in many food products and can also be used as a dietary supplement. So what are the benefits of sunflower lecithin, and why is it used?

What Is Sunflower Lecithin Used For?

In food manufacturing, sunflower lecithin helps to provide a smooth and moist texture to various products by holding ingredients together. It’s a versatile emulsifier, but it’s also packed with essential nutrients, making it a healthier alternative to other lecithin sources like soy.

Sunflower lecithin contains:

• Omega-3 
• Omega-6 
• Calcium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Choline.

With so many essential fatty acids and other nutrients, lecithin from sunflowers makes an obvious choice over soy lecithin, which comes with a few drawbacks. Not only are many people allergic to soy, but most soy is also genetically modified, raising concerns about how it might negatively impact health and wellness. So how can you use sunflower lecithin to improve your health?

What Are the Benefits of Sunflower Lecithin?

Sunflower lecithin supplements are available in a few formats, making it easy for you to get the maximum benefit from lecithin from sunflowers without compromising your diet or eating GMO foods.

Sunflower lecithin can:

1. Reduce Cholesterol

Research has indicated that supplementing lecithin may raise levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. In one study, overall cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in a group of people who took a lecithin supplement once daily. If you’d rather avoid soy-based products, supplements like NOW Sunflower Lecithin softgels could help you lower your bad cholesterol without the drawbacks of soy while retaining the benefits lecithin has to offer.

2. Support Breastfeeding

Lecithin is naturally present in breast milk. When breastfeeding, a sunflower lecithin supplement may help prevent plugged ducts. This can be uncomfortable and even dangerous to the mother should an infection occur as a result. The Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation recommends taking a 1,200 mg lecithin supplement four times daily to reduce breast milk viscosity, ease the flow of breast milk and prevent clogged ducts.

3. Treat Gastrointestinal Issues

For people with ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the properties of lecithin may support and improve their gastrointestinal health. Lecithin accounts for more than 70% of total phospholipids within the intestinal mucus layer, which can be depleted if you suffer from digestive issues. Supplements like NOW Sunflower Lecithin Powder may aid digestion and protect the lining of your digestive tract by restoring this mucus layer.

4. Reduce the Risk of Dementia

Recent studies have suggested that phosphatidylcholine (or simply choline) — one of the main compounds found in sunflower lecithin — might reduce the risk of dementia and other cognitive disorders that typically occur later in life. The study found that men who took the highest amount of phosphatidylcholine were 28% less likely to develop dementia than men with the lowest intake, highlighting the potential benefits of lecithin supplementation to reduce cognitive decline.

Are There Any Side Effects of Sunflower Lecithin?

You might be asking yourself, “can you take too much sunflower lecithin?”. As with any supplement, too much of a good thing could have an adverse effect on your health. While sunflower lecithin is considered a very low-risk supplement, you should always be mindful of dosages and check out our Nutrition Facts, which can be found on all of our product pages. 

Uncommon side effects of sunflower lecithin include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, so stop supplementation immediately if these side effects occur. You may also experience a decreased appetite, so be mindful of using lecithin if you need to maintain a healthy weight. 

Should You Use Sunflower Lecithin?

Lecithin is a natural substance that helps our bodies function effectively. Whether you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or experiencing difficulties breastfeeding, sunflower lecithin supplements can help make Better Health Simple. They’re unflavoured, soy-free and non-GMO, giving you and your family the healthiest options available to improve health and wellness naturally.

Explore our range of naturally effective sunflower lecithin supplements and get free shipping on orders over $59.