The sunflower got its name for a reason. This flower has long been called the “flower of the sun” (from the Greek helios – sun and anthos – flower). The sunflower came to us from the northern states of America. The first to grow it were the indigenous people – the Indians. They baked bread from it, decorated temples. The sunflower was also used for medicinal purposes, as well as purple paint was extracted from the petals, with which they applied themselves to tattoos and dyed fabrics. Europeans saw this huge, bright, like the sun, miracle around the XNUMXth century, and the Slavic peoples were able to taste it only at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Many attribute the appearance of the sunflower to Peter Ⅰ, who, while traveling in Europe, ordered to send the seeds to Russia. Some historians agree that the seeds came to us from Germany thanks to German colonists. Initially, this product was grown only for decorative purposes, and also as a raw material for gnawing. It was only at the beginning of the XNUMXth century that sunflower began to be used for the production of oil.
Composition, types and benefits of sunflower seeds
Everyone is accustomed to husking sunflower seeds, but few thought that this activity has a very positive psychological effect. After all, when you snap the seeds, the nerves calm down and a state of complete relaxation is achieved. The subsequent chewing of the husked seeds gives even more pleasure, thereby relieving the stress of the nervous system. In general, sunflower seeds are a storehouse of useful elements and minerals for the body. First of all, I would like to note that sunflower is very rich in vitamin E, which is reputed to be a powerful antioxidant, because tocopherol is useful due to its protective functions. .… It protects the body from radiation, prevents the development of many diseases (including atherosclerosis), maintains the work of the cardiovascular system at the required level and is a source of youth and beauty farmer-online.com.
Sunflower seeds contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, and they, in turn, lower blood cholesterol levels, prevent the risk of heart attacks and heart attack farmer-online.com.
These small grains save from depression and neurosis thanks to the B vitamins that are part of them. They saturate the body with calcium, so necessary for the growth and strengthening of bones. Vitamin D helps to assimilate this mineral well, which is also very useful for children, especially during early development. Sunflower seeds are rich in beneficial trace elements such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and potassium. The content of the latter, by the way, is several times higher than in oranges and bananas. Sunflower also contains other minerals: iodine, chromium, iron, copper and others. ..… Its seeds are rich in vitamin A, which is beneficial for the eyesight and beauty of the skin. Many argue that consuming sunflower seeds can help you quit smoking. Smokers often use them to relieve nicotine cravings.
Sunflower seeds come in many varieties: black, striped, and even white. ...
Black seeds, especially small ones, are mainly used in the production of oil, as they contain a higher percentage of fat than others. Striped ones are always large, but the nuclei inside them are unreasonably small. White seeds are large and oblong, have a stronger husk, and the fat content in them is the smallest.
Nutritional value for 100 g seeds .
Calories 579 kcal Proteins 21,0 g Fats 52,70 g Carbohydrates 12 g Dietary fiber 5,04 g Water 8,01 g Ash 2,85 g Fatty acids 5,7 g Starch 7,2 g Sugar 3,41 g
By the way, unrefined seed contains much more useful substances, since when it gets into the air, fats are oxidized, which leads to the loss of many valuable qualities.
Use of sunflower seeds
Of course, the most common product obtained from sunflower seeds is the well-known sunflower oil. 1… This is the most common type of vegetable oil used in Russia and Ukraine. The same countries are leaders in the production of this product all over the world. Sunflower oil is widely used in the field of cooking, soap making and for the manufacture of various paints and ointments.
By themselves, sunflower seeds have long been used in cooking both as an independent product and as an integral part of various dishes. ..… Often they are added to salads, delicious sweet dishes are prepared from them, used in baking bread ..… Familiar to everyone from childhood, kozinaki (or, in the French manner, roasted nuts) are also made from sunflower seeds with the addition of honey or caramel. Some tea producers use sunflower petals in luxury blends to give them an exotic aroma. However, the more well-known and common way of eating is fried seeds. They are so popular that they have not been ignored in industrial production. Now in supermarkets you can see many different packages containing fried seeds. They are offered to the consumer both in their usual form and with the addition of salt. However, it is better to give preference to a self-made delicacy, since finished products may contain substances that are unsafe for health. ...
Thanks to the beneficial substances in their composition, sunflower seeds are used in folk medicine and cosmetology. .. ...
In medicine, bronchitis is treated with a decoction of seeds. A raw, unripe product is used in the manufacture of a medicine that normalizes blood pressure and can prevent a disease such as atherosclerosis. Eating a small amount of raw seeds every day can help prevent acne breakouts as well as improve skin condition. With the help of seeds, you can get rid of irritation and prevent the occurrence of stress. ...
Oddly enough, with such a high energy value, seeds are not rejected by nutritionists in their weight loss programs. This is because there is no cholesterol in their composition, and they are an effective means of removing excess cholesterol from the body. Thanks to the protein, seeds are recommended for use by athletes, as it helps to strengthen muscles and form a beautiful athletic physique.
In cosmetology, sunflower seeds are used in the production of scrubs, creams and masks that improve the condition of the skin thanks to their constituent vitamins and minerals, which contribute to the rejuvenation and restoration of cells. They also have a beneficial effect on the hair, restoring its shine and strength.
It is necessary to store seeds in a refrigerator or in a room with a temperature of no more than 10 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 20%. It is impractical to store them at home, therefore it is better to buy in small portions, it is advisable to dry them immediately and eat them within a few weeks.
How to fry seeds
In order to get a delicious and most useful product, you should follow some rules when cooking:
- Before frying, the seeds should be washed well under running cold water;
- fry the seeds without adding vegetable oil to the pan.
It is advisable to fry the seeds right before use. Instead of frying them, you can also dry them in the oven or microwave (this method has become increasingly popular lately).
Pour the washed seeds into a preheated frying pan. It is good to use a cast iron product for these purposes. During the frying process, you need to stir the seeds until you hear a characteristic crackle. At this point, they should be removed from the fire for a while, and then returned again. Repeat this process several times. It is important to constantly stir the seeds to prevent the product from burning. It is better not to eat overcooked seeds, since they no longer contain anything useful. When the seeds are ready, they should be laid out on a wooden cutting board and covered with a cotton towel for a few minutes. In the process of frying, if necessary, the seeds can be salted.
Of course, almost everyone loves fried seeds, but for health it is more advisable to eat a raw or dried product, since after heat treatment, sunflower seeds lose many of their beneficial qualities.
Myths, harm and contraindications
One of the most popular myths, about which almost everyone has heard, is the myth that the consumption of seeds provokes the development of appendicitis. It has been repeatedly said that these things are absolutely unrelated.
Young mothers and women expecting a baby were also frightened by the fact that it is absolutely impossible to eat seeds during pregnancy and lactation. In fact, you can use them during these periods, but, like all other foods, with moderation. For pregnant women, seeds are dangerous precisely because of their calorie content, and for the future baby, because they can cause an unnecessary allergic reaction. However, if you use them a little, then they will not bring any harm.
Be that as it may, there are still contraindications to the use of sunflower seeds. First of all, they are dangerous precisely because of their high fat content and high calorie content.
If you constantly consume seeds in large quantities, while leading a sedentary lifestyle, then this is fraught with unpleasant consequences in the form of excess weight accumulation. ..… The clicking of seeds is very harmful to the tooth enamel, which, by the way, is not restored. Excessive consumption of seeds gradually wears it away, which can lead to tooth decay or even tooth decay. You should also note the use of purchased sunflower seeds. They contain hazardous elements such as cadmium and benzopyrene, the accumulation of which in the body can lead to adverse effects. The constant use of sunflower seeds has a negative effect on the vocal cords, therefore it is not recommended to use them for people whose professions are associated with increased voice tension: announcers, singers and others.
conclusions
Sunflower seeds are an incredibly healthy and popular product that is in demand among both adults and children. The vitamins and minerals they contain make them popular in many fields of medicine and cosmetology. Also, seeds have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, on the digestive organs, and prevent the development of atherosclerosis. They are responsible for the beauty of the skin and hair, and help build muscle mass. Of course, there are contraindications for the use of seeds, but there are not so many of them. The only thing that can be focused on is the content of substances hazardous to the body in industrially produced products. In general, the golden rule is welcome here: “Everything is good in moderation.” If you do not overeat and use the product rationally, then everything will be fine!
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