Fried sunflower seeds: harm and benefit. Are fried sunflower seeds harmful?

Perhaps there is now no such person who has never tried fried sunflower seeds. The harm and benefit of this popular delicacy has been discussed for a long time, but most of the fans of their snapping do not even think about it. For several hundred years sunflower is one of the most common plants. And when people tasted the taste of his seeds, he became also the most beloved for many. And now they are eaten by both children and adults. Sometimes the sludge of sunflower seeds turns into a bad habit and can even cause some diseases. Get rid of the predilection for seeds is quite difficult, and not necessarily, because they are also useful.

What vitamins are in the seeds

Scientists have found out that this plant is very useful and contains a large number of vitamins and minerals:

- In seeds, there is a lot of vitamin A, which is useful for vision and skin health.

- The daily requirement of an organism in vitamin E is filled only with 50 grams of seeds. And, as you know, this vitamin is the strongest antioxidant and helps in the work of the heart muscle.

- Vitamin D, useful for bone growth, is contained in seeds, even in larger quantities than in cod liver.

- There is a lot in them and vitamin B, which is useful for the skin, hair and health of the nervous system.

What else is in the seeds?

In addition to vitamins, the seeds of this plant contain a lot of carbohydrates and a lot of vegetable fats. More than 25% of a full-value protein of sunflower seeds contains essential amino acids. In addition, sunflower is a source of important microelements for the organism, especially magnesium and zinc in it. And potassium in seeds is more than in bananas and many other products. There are also a lot of them in folic acid, calcium, iodine and selenium. Moreover, all these substances are stored in seeds throughout the year. Vegetable fats are a source of fatty acids, very important for human health. For a long time, disputes have not stopped, whether fried sunflower seeds are useful. It is believed that during the heat treatment many trace elements are destroyed and this product becomes dangerous. But if you choose and fry them correctly, then all the properties are preserved.

Benefits of fried sunflower seeds

Such a rich set of useful micronutrients makes a favorite delicacy of many more and very useful. They are quite high in calories, but easily digested and fully absorbed by the body. A great positive effect on health is provided by fried sunflower seeds. The damage and benefit of this product have been studied by scientists for a long time. How do sunflowers act on health?

- contained in them antioxidants and vitamins inhibit the aging process;

- this is an excellent means of preventing cardiovascular diseases;

- the optimal content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates helps to adjust the acid-base balance;

- the use of sunflower seeds in food dulls the appetite and promotes weight loss, and is also useful for dietary nutrition;

- seeds stimulate digestion, improve liver function and clean bile ducts;

- they strengthen the immune system and accelerate the healing of wounds;

- the very process of cleansing the seeds is an excellent soothing agent, promotes relaxation and helps fight harmful habits.

Seeds for beauty of skin and hair

But this product not only has a beneficial effect on health. Such a large number of positive properties of this delicacy makes you think: what are the benefits of fried sunflower seeds for skin and hair beauty? The high content of fatty acids, perfectly absorbed by the body, helps to preserve youth and beauty. The substances that make up the seeds, inhibit aging, improve the condition of not only the skin, but also nails and hair. For example, vitamin B protects against acne and dandruff, vitamin A struggles with dry skin, and E - the strongest antioxidant, improving regeneration processes. In addition to eating seeds in food, you can use them and outwardly. In cosmetology, they have long been used to create masks and scrubs for hair and body. They remove the dead cells and renew the skin, improving its condition.

Are sunflower seeds fried sunflower seeds?

But experts believe that everything said applies only to raw seeds. They should be eaten fresh and cleaned immediately before meals. Only in this way they will not be oxidized and retain all useful properties. They say that the damage to fried sunflower seeds is such that there are not all of them. But in fact, it all depends on how to properly use them. If the seeds are fresh, the shell is not damaged, and they are not overcooked, their useful properties are preserved. Of course, with prolonged heat treatment all vitamins are destroyed, and in the seeds even toxic substances are formed. In addition, they are often sold already cleaned, in which case they are oxidizing and useful in this little. But in most cases you can safely eat fried sunflower seeds. The benefits and harms of them depend on their quality and the way they are cooked.

What harm can health bring seeds

But if you misuse them or choose a poor-quality product, it is difficult to avoid harmful effects. What do doctors warn about?

- when the seeds are snapped, teeth break down enamel, often the front teeth darken, a gap may form between them;

- sometimes sunflowers are grown with the use of a large number of chemicals that are absorbed into the seeds and get into their use in the body;

- If the seeds are heavily fried, they can cause heartburn and exacerbation of stomach diseases. This is especially bad for those who have gastritis and stomach ulcers or liver disorders;

- The damage to fried sunflower seeds is also manifested in the fact that they irritate the throat, especially the vocal cords. Therefore, they are not recommended for singers.

How to use this product correctly

For many, the usual sight is when someone eats fried sunflower seeds. The damage and benefits of this product have long been the subject of controversy. And lovers of seeds still continue to gnaw at them. How to reduce the negative consequences of their use?

- Try to buy seeds grown in ecologically clean areas, if possible without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

- It is advisable to purchase them not in the packaging, so that you can see in what state they are. So you can determine whether the product is fresh.

- It is best to buy unrefined seeds and fry them yourself, subjecting to minimal heat treatment.

- Do not eat them too much, especially after eating, because they are very caloric.

- To avoid problems with the teeth and to prevent germs from entering the body, the seeds are best cleaned with hands.

How are sunflower seeds used?

In addition to the usual eating habits of this delicacy, seeds are widely used in cooking. They are added to pastries, salads and second courses. Everyone knows the eastern sweetness, made from them - kozinaki. But in order to understand if sunflower seeds are useful, we need to study the history of their distribution. After all, this plant appeared in Europe only in the 16th century and at first it was not used for food. And brought a sunflower from America, where the locals used it to make paints and medicines. Now also seeds are used in folk medicine in the treatment of certain diseases.

1. If you boil 2-3 tablespoons of seeds in half a liter of water with sugar, this broth can cure cough with bronchitis.

2. Of the unripe seeds, a medicine is prepared for atherosclerosis. To do this, 500 grams of seeds should be boiled for a couple of hours in two liters of water and drink the broth in small portions.

3. If the shredded seeds are mixed with sour cream, an effective face mask will be obtained, after application of which the skin will become smooth and velvety.

The process of clicking seeds

Whatever they call this activity - to scrape, click, peel, clean or snap - and the essence is one. This process entrains and often it is compared with meditation. It helps to relax and calm down. And if you clean the seeds with your hands, then there is also a massage of the fingertips, rich in nerve endings. Psychologists believe that this process helps to establish contacts and communicate more easily, as well as easier to get rid of bad habits. Yes, and lose weight can help fried sunflower seeds. Harm and their benefits are not equal, so do not give up your favorite delicacy.