Sunflower microgreens: benefits and harms, how to germinate for food

Sunflower sprouts are small seedlings that can be obtained from seeds at home in 7-10 days. They contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other useful components. Microgreens are recommended for preventive use.

Can you eat sunflower sprouts

Sunflower seedlings are seedlings up to 4-5 cm high with 2-3 leaves, which are easy to obtain at home. Sunflower microgreens (pictured) are pale green with a yellowish tint, at which time the sprouts do not yet have time to completely free themselves from the peel. It is at this stage that they have the maximum amount of useful substances. Greens are very juicy and soft, it can be eaten for medicinal purposes, as well as for prevention.

Sunflower seedlings have the most useful properties at an early stage, immediately after germination.

Chemical composition of sunflower seedlings

The beneficial effect of sunflower seedlings is explained by their rich chemical composition. Germinating grain contains a large amount of enzymes, minerals and other components, for example:

• unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic);
• cellulose;
• vitamins E, C, group B;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• lithium;
• chromium;
• potassium;
• selenium.

Benefits of sunflower sprouts

The benefits of germinated sunflower seeds for food are due to the fact that the seedlings contain a large number of enzymes and other biologically active substances. Over time, their concentration decreases, since the entire reserve is actively spent on the plant’s own needs (formation of leaves, shoots, growth acceleration). Therefore, it is the seedlings of sunflower and other crops that are considered the most useful.

They improve metabolic processes and have a complex effect on the body:

• reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol (abbreviated as LDL, LDL or LDL);
• improve digestive processes (increased motility of the gastrointestinal tract, cleansing of half-life products, toxins, ensuring acid-base balance);
• have a rejuvenating effect on the skin and internal organs due to the high content of antioxidants that block free radicals;
• improve the appearance of hair and nails;
• strengthen bones and teeth;
• contribute to the maintenance of immunity;
• restore vision;
• normalize the processes of hematopoiesis, help prevent the development of anemia;
• increase efficiency and concentration.

The benefits of sunflower sprouts are explained by their rich chemical composition.

It is important to understand that sprouts are mainly used as a prophylactic. For example, it is impossible to treat cancer with germinated sunflower seeds or other serious diseases. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the requirements of the doctor. And sprouts can be used as an additional remedy (after consulting a specialist).

Damage to sunflower sprouts

With the systematic use of germinated seeds, extraneous symptoms may be observed:

• bloating;
• heaviness;
• increased gas formation (flatulence).

In such situations, you should immediately stop taking sunflower sprouts and consult a gastroenterologist.

Contraindications to the use of sunflower sprouts

Germinated seeds can be recommended to almost all people – adults and children over 12 years old, men and women. But there are some health and age restrictions:

• the seeds contain quite a lot of gluten, which is contraindicated for people suffering from certain diseases (for example, celiac disease);
• children under 12 years of age are not recommended to use sprouts. If this is necessary, you should first consult a doctor;
• a general serious condition (for example, after a heart attack, stroke, surgeries) involves a careful selection of the diet, so you should not arbitrarily include different foods in it;
• seeds are also not recommended for people suffering from chronic digestive disorders.

Medicinal properties of sunflower sprouts

The medicinal properties of sprouts are explained by the presence of biologically active substances and antioxidants in them, as well as fiber, which cleanses the body of toxins and toxins – harmful substances, semi-digested food products and other components unnecessary for the body.

Microgreens have several therapeutic effects at once:

• immunomodulatory;
• tonic;
• anti-aging;
• cleaning.

Thanks to the destruction of free radicals and other harmful substances, metabolic processes are normalized. Therefore, the metabolic balance is restored, which contributes to the natural cleansing of the body and the “alignment” of the main physiological indicators (including the content of cholesterol in the blood).

How to germinate sunflower sprouts

It is almost impossible to buy germinated sunflower seeds, since on an industrial scale they are used for frying, obtaining sunflower oil, as well as in confectionery production (halva, gozinaki). Therefore, you can get valuable raw materials by self-germination of sunflower for microgreens.

The first shoots appear 7-10 days after soaking.

It is quite easy to do this at home. The instruction is as follows:

1. Acquired raw seeds are thoroughly washed under running water. It is necessary to ensure that the flowing liquid is clean.
2. Transfer them to a plastic container or glass jar. It is not necessary to fill it to the top, because the seedlings increase significantly in volume.
3. Pour pre-settled water and drain completely after 2 hours.
4. You don’t need to fill it with water further – just spray it 2 times a day. Close the container with a lid, in which you must first make several holes.
5. When seedlings up to 3-4 cm long appear (approximately in a week), eat them as soon as possible. The maximum storage period is 1 week.

Rules for the use of germinated sunflower seeds

Sprouts can be consumed in their pure form, but it is better to add them to the following dishes:

• various soups, including cold ones;
• sauces;
• salads and cold appetizers;
• Dessert;
• dry breakfasts.

It is not recommended to boil and fry, as well as bake the seeds.

It is better to put them at the very end of cooking, without additional heating. Otherwise, the beneficial properties are partially lost, for example, vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant, is destroyed.

The use of sunflower sprouts in folk medicine

Useful properties of sprouts are used in alternative medicine. Microgreens are recommended to be consumed daily in small doses. This will help prevent the development of beriberi, cardiovascular diseases.

Sunflower seedlings are consumed 2-3 times a day (total no more than 80-100 g, i.e. no more than 4-5 tablespoons). One of the simplest and most delicious options is to put sprouts in a salad. The components can be anything, for example, a “summer” recipe:

• 2 small young zucchini;
• 3-4 radishes;
• 80 g of seed sprouts;
• a little parsley and cilantro;
• 100 g of leeks;
• a spoonful of sunflower oil;
• iodized or sea salt.

Vitamin salad must be seasoned with any vegetable oil

Conclusion

Sunflower sprouts are easy to get at home. They can be applied regularly, in courses (for example, for 1-2 months) or periodically added to food, as new shoots appear. This is one of the most affordable ways to make up for the lack of unsaturated fatty acids, selenium and other useful components in the body.

Sunflower microgreen reviews