Effect of Sunflower Seed Consumption on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Adults

"Cholesterol-lowering Potential of Sunflower Seeds: Evidence From Phytochemical and Fatty Acid Composition and a Randomized Human Trial"

This study evaluates the effect of daily consumption of sunflower seeds on blood cholesterol levels in adult participants. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a specified amount of sunflower seeds for a defined period, and their blood cholesterol and lipid profile were measured before and after the intervention. The study aims to determine whether sunflower seeds can contribute to improving cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol. Adult men and women meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The findings may help inform dietary recommendations for managing cholesterol and promoting heart health.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Hypercholesterolemia
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Sunflower Seed Supplementation

Detailed Description

This randomized, open-label human trial evaluated the cholesterol-lowering potential of sunflower seeds in adult participants. Eligible men and women were recruited based on inclusion criteria, which included age range, baseline cholesterol levels, and absence of major health conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a defined daily portion of sunflower seeds for a specified intervention period. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention to measure total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and other relevant lipid parameters.

Prior to the human intervention, sunflower seeds were analyzed for their nutritional composition, mineral content, phytochemical profile, and fatty acid composition using standard laboratory procedures. Tests included proximate analysis (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate content), mineral quantification (calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), phytochemical assays (total phenolics, flavonoids), and fatty acid profiling using gas chromatography. These analyses provided a detailed characterization of the seeds' bioactive components relevant to cardiovascular health.

The study also included assessments of dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and adherence to the intervention. The primary objective was to determine the effect of sunflower seed consumption on blood cholesterol levels, while secondary objectives included evaluating changes in lipid profile and potential associations with bioactive components of the seeds. Data were analyzed using standard statistical methods. The results aim to provide evidence on the role of sunflower seeds in cardiovascular risk management and to inform dietary recommendations.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Faisalābad, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 38000
      • University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants included males aged between 40 and 50 years, with serum cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dL, and shared the same socioeconomic status.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The participants were excluded based on different physiological factors, such as active smokers, alcoholics, chronic disease patients, people having extremely low or high BMI, people suffering from psychological disorders or familial hypercholesterolemia, people who belong to a high-income group, and people having doubts or confusion while following instructions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control; Participants continued their usual diet without consuming sunflower seeds. Blood cholesterol and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at the end of the study period.
Experimental: Diseased Group; Participants consumed a defined daily portion of sunflower seeds for the duration of the study. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention to measure total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and other lipid parameters. Dietary intake and adherence to the intervention were monitored throughout the study period	Dietary supplement: Sunflower Seed Supplementation; Participants consumed sunflower seeds daily for 45 days

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Total Cholesterol	Total serum cholesterol measured using standard enzymatic methods at baseline and at the end of the 45 days sunflower seed supplementation period.	Baseline and 45 days after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
LDL Cholesterol	LDL cholesterol measured using standard enzymatic methods at baseline and at the end of the 45 days supplementation period.	Baseline and 45 days after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Faisalabad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 5, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 20, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): August 20, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 17, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 17, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cholesterol; Hypercholesterolemia; Phytochemicals; Sunflower seeds
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Metabolic Diseases; Hyperlipidemias; Dyslipidemias; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Hypercholesterolemia
• Other Study ID Numbers: SUNSEED-CHOL

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The study was completed prior to an IPD sharing plan, and participant consent did not include sharing of individual-level data.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No