These are another type of seeds that I love using in my recipes. The only reason I will not have these seeds in my kitchen is because I haven’t put any effort to get them from the market, which is never. I chew them whole, add them to smoothies, salads, and even sometimes when soft (they mostly are when de-hulled) in the stews and sauces at table.
Sunflower seeds (mbegu ya alizeti), as they are known in swahili, come from the sunflower plant. The flower part of the plant is very common and a native to North America: They are drought, pest resistance and grow in the sunlight, and are always moving throughout the day so that they are always facing the sun, a process known as (heliotropism)
In-shell, sunflower seeds are particularly popular in Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Asian countries. There are three types of commonly used sunflower seeds: linoleic (most common), high oleic, and sunflower oil seeds. Each variety has its own unique levels of monounsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fats.
Generally they have a black outer husk, which is crushed to access the inner white pod, called the sunflower kernel or heart, which can be consumed as it is, roasted or even crushed to produce oil.
Sunflower seeds health benefits include:
- Due to the presence of vitamins they are very good immunity boosters
- Their fiber content help in the reduction of levels of LDL cholesterol in blood.
- Presence of strong antioxidants help in the prevention of cancer
- Help in reducing blood sugar levels, thus preventing diabetes and helping type 2 diabetes patients
- They are rich in protein and fiber, thus making us feel full for long, reducing consumption of food, thus weight loss.
- They are a good source of iron, thus by consuming them, this increases iron level in the blood and can be very helpful to people living with anemia
- Help to flush out toxins and their potent antibacterial activity, helps in effectively removing bacteria and germs from cells
- Oleic and linoleic acids, present in sunflower seeds help in the formation of collagen and elastin, speeding up wound healing
Below are links to recipes with sunflower seeds as an ingredient.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNpO0SHkli/?utm_medium=copy_link
https://jikonipalatables.com/recipe/power_smoothie3214827291
Add your reply
Replies