general description
Sunflower seeds are the seeds of an annual plant of the same name.
Usually the plant forms one strong inflorescence and several
minor weaker ones. Throughout the flowering period
and the ripening of seeds, the sunflower constantly turns during daylight hours,
directing the inflorescence towards the sun. Sunflower seeds ripen at the end
August, and when the leaves and stem of the plant are completely dry, then
collect them. Seeds, depending on the variety, may have
black, gray or striped color. Average seed can reach
the length is 8-15 mm, and the width is 4-8 mm. Sunflower kernels are used for food,
which are white and oily texture.
People began to eat more than two thousand sunflower seeds
years ago. The sunflower is home to America. It is from here to
16th century the seeds were brought to Europe. Eat roasted seeds
sunflower and the production of oil from them began in the 18th century. in the territory
..
Currently, this culture is spread throughout the world, and
products of its processing are widely used. Wild sunflower
has small seeds. Therefore, breeders have bred more
60 varieties of sunflower, the head diameter of which can reach one
meter
Sunflower seeds are used to make sunflower oil and sweet
goodies. Waste of oil production (cake) goes to livestock feed
and making halva. The modern food industry produces
a large number of roasted unpeeled seeds, which are packed in
polyethylene packaging of 50, 100 and 150 g. Various
additives: salt, sugar, spices, pepper.
How to choose and cook
Choosing high quality roasted sunflower seeds is not easy. It’s related
due to the fact that this product is often counterfeited. Often large
producers of sunflower seeds add to the packaging, the so-called
surprises (sweets, chewing gum), thereby protecting your products, because
it becomes unprofitable to counterfeit. Also, when choosing seeds, you should
pay attention to the date of packing. It should not exceed one
month. During this period, the fats in the seeds begin to oxidize and turn rancid.
Roasted sunflower seeds can also be prepared at home.
To do this, pour into a clean, well-heated frying pan
seeds and, stirring constantly, fry over low heat. Time
drying in a pan depends on the size of the seeds themselves and their number,
therefore, during the frying process, they need to be tasted periodically.
It is best to peel the seeds from the shell just before
use. In this case, the fats do not have time to oxidize.
Useful properties of sunflower seeds
Composition and presence of nutrients
Raw sunflower seeds contain (in 100 g):
Calories 584 Kcal
Vitamin
B4 55,1 Phosphorus,
P 660 Vitamin E 35,17 Potassium, K 645 Vitamin
B3 8,335 Magnesium, Mg 325 Vitamin
B1 1,48 Calcium, Ca 78 Vitamin C 1,4 Selenium,
See 53
Full composition
Sunflower seeds have a rich composition of beneficial fat-soluble
vitamins (A, E,
D, group
B), minerals (magnesium,
zinc, iron,
fluorine,
calcium,
iodine),
amino acids and polyunsaturated acids, which reduce the level of
cholesterol and slow down cell aging.
Useful and healing properties
Vitamins in seeds normalize the condition of the skin, mucous membranes
and hair.
Seeds, due to the saturation of vegetable fats, are great
for use during the diet
and fasting, while the acid-base balance of all fluids is normalized
organism. They are also recommended for pregnant women with seizures.
heartburn.
Sunflower seeds have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular
system. They are used to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attack,
stroke
They have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and biliary tract.
Unripe seeds in a white peel are good for reducing blood pressure.
and increased appetite.
Due to the high content of vitamins of the group in sunflower seeds
Nails and hair are strengthened.
Seed oil is used in cosmetology to create creams,
scrubs, tonics and other products.
Dangerous properties of sunflower seeds
Seeds should not be consumed by overweight people
sunflower, because they are a fairly high-calorie product. Sunflower
in the process of its growth from the ground absorbs a large number of different
minerals and trace elements,
among which there may be heavy metals, such as cadmium.
With excessive use of sunflower seeds containing cadmium
can lead to toxic poisoning or metal buildup
in the body, which often leads to the appearance of neoplasms
of various etiologies.
Also, excessive love for seeds can negatively affect
condition of tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay and formation
dental calculus.
Sunflower seeds are contraindicated for colitis, enterocolitis, ulcers
stomach and gout,
as they can exacerbate these diseases.
In addition, due to the adverse effect on the vocal cords, they
contraindicated for people whose professional activities are related
with singing.
The video will tell you in an interesting way about the benefits and dangers of sunflower seeds.
