Sunflower seeds

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). Sunflower came to us from the northern states of America. The first to grow it began the indigenous people – the Indians. They baked bread from it, decorated temples. Sunflowers were also used for medicinal purposes, and they also extracted purple paint from the petals, which they used to tattoo themselves and dye fabrics. Europeans saw this huge, bright, like the sun, miracle around the XNUMXth century, and the Slavic peoples were able to try it only at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Many attribute the appearance of the sunflower to Peter Ⅰ, who, traveling through Europe, ordered that seeds be sent 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, as well as as a raw material. Only at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, sunflowers began to be used to produce oil.

Composition, types and benefits of sunflower seeds

Everyone is used to husking sunflower seeds, but few people thought about the fact that this activity has a very positive psychological effect. After all, when you click the seeds, the nerves calm down and a state of complete relaxation is achieved. The subsequent chewing of the peeled seeds gives even more pleasure, thereby relieving the tension 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. ^[1]. It protects the body from radiation, prevents the development of many diseases (including atherosclerosis), maintains the cardiovascular system at the right level and is a source of youth and beauty. ^[2].

Seeds contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, and they, in turn, lower blood cholesterol levels, prevent the risk of developing heart attacks and a heart attack. ^[3].

These small grains save from depression and neuroses thanks to the B vitamins that are part of them. They saturate the body with calcium, which is 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 such useful trace elements 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. ^[4]. Its seeds are rich in vitamin A, useful for vision and skin beauty. Many people claim that eating seeds helps to quit smoking. Smokers often use them to relieve nicotine cravings.

Sunflower seeds come in many varieties: black, striped, and even white. ^[5].

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.

By the way, an unpeeled seed contains much more useful substances, since when exposed to 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. ^[7]. This is the most common type of vegetable oil used in Russia and Ukraine. These same countries are leaders in the production of this product throughout the world. Sunflower oil is widely used in cooking, in 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. ^[8]. Often they are added to salads, delicious sweet dishes are prepared from them, and used in baking bread. ^[9]. Kozinaki, familiar to everyone since childhood (or in the French manner, roasting) is also made from sunflower seeds with the addition of honey or caramel. Some tea producers use sunflower petals in elite blends to give them an exotic flavor. However, the more well-known and common way of eating is fried seeds. They are so popular that they are not ignored in industrial production. Now in supermarkets you can see a wide variety of packages containing roasted seeds. They are offered to the consumer both in the usual form and with the addition of salt. However, it is better to give preference to a hand-made delicacy, as finished products may contain substances that are unsafe for health. ^[10].

Thanks to the beneficial substances that make up their composition, sunflower seeds are used in folk medicine and cosmetology. ^{[11] [12]}.

In medicine, with the help of a decoction of seeds, bronchitis is treated. A raw, unripe product is used in the manufacture of a drug that normalizes blood pressure and can prevent a disease such as atherosclerosis. Eating a small amount of raw seeds daily will help prevent acne and improve skin condition. With the help of seeds, you can get rid of irritation and prevent the occurrence of a stressful condition. ^[13].

Oddly enough, with such a high energy value, seeds are not rejected by nutritionists in their weight loss programs. This is because cholesterol is completely absent in their composition, and they are an effective means for removing its excess from the body. Thanks to the protein, seeds are recommended for use by athletes, since it is he who 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 skin condition due to the vitamins and minerals that they contain, which help rejuvenate and restore cells. They also have a beneficial effect on the hair, restoring shine and strength to them.

Seeds should be stored in a refrigerator or in a room with a temperature of no more than 10 degrees Celsius at a humidity of 20%. It is impractical to store them at home, so 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.

Roast the seeds preferably right before use. Instead of roasting, you can also dry them in the oven or microwave (this method has become increasingly popular recently).

Pour the washed seeds into a preheated pan. It is good to use a cast-iron product for these purposes. In the process of frying, 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 burning the product. It is better not to eat overcooked seeds, since they no longer contain anything useful in themselves. When the seeds are ready, they need to 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 sunflower seeds lose many of their useful qualities after heat treatment.

Myths, harm and contraindications

One of the most popular myths that almost everyone has heard about 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 products, with moderation. For pregnant women, seeds are dangerous precisely because of their calorie content, and for the unborn baby because they can cause an unnecessary allergic reaction. However, if you use them little by 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. ^[14]. The clicking of seeds causes great damage to tooth enamel, which, by the way, is not restored. Excessive consumption of seeds gradually erases it, which can lead to tooth decay or even tooth decay. It should also be noted the use of purchased seeds. They contain hazardous elements such as cadmium and benzapyrene, 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, so 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 contained in them make them in demand in many areas 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, 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 you can focus on is the content of substances hazardous to the body in industrially produced products. In general, the golden rule is welcomed here: “Everything is good in moderation.” If you do not overeat, but rationally use the product, then everything will be fine!

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