What are the benefits of sunflower seeds? The nutritional value of sunflower seeds (melon seeds)

Sunflower seeds, the fruits of sunflowers, commonly known as melon seeds, also known as sunflower seeds, geranium seeds, sunflower seeds, and sunflower seeds, are the fruits of the annual herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, Sunflower, and can be used for food and oil. Sunflower seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, a variety of vitamins and trace elements. Compared with many nut foods, sunflower seeds have higher protein content, lower calories, and no cholesterol. In addition to their delicious taste, sunflower seeds have become a A very popular source of healthy and nutritious food and edible oil.

What are the benefits of sunflower seeds? Nutritional value of sunflower seeds (melon seeds)

Nutritional value of sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds contain a lot of dietary fiber, which can reduce the incidence of colon cancer. The rich potassium in sunflower seeds is very beneficial to protecting heart function and preventing high blood pressure. The plant sterols and phospholipids contained in sunflower seeds can inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the human body, prevent excessive plasma cholesterol, and prevent arteriosclerosis. Sunflower seeds also have comprehensive anti-cancer effects and have positive effects on improving nutrition, fitness, disease prevention, and cancer prevention. Modern research has found that vitamin B3 contained in sunflower seeds can regulate the metabolism of brain cells and improve their inhibitory functions, so it can be used for hypnosis.

Sunflower seed kernels are high in linoleic acid. This is a very important fatty acid for the human body and helps reduce the body's blood cholesterol levels. The human body cannot produce linoleic acid on its own and generally can only ingest it from food. Sunflower seeds are a very good source of this kind of nutrition. Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E and arginine, which are beneficial to maintaining sexual function and sperm quality, and improving human immune function.

Sunflower seeds nutrition facts

Each 100 grams of sunflower seeds contains 597 kcal, 23.9 grams of protein, 49.9 grams of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 72 mg of calcium, 5.7 mg of iron, 238 mg of phosphorus, 562 mg of potassium, 5.5 mg of sodium, and 2.51 mg of copper. Magnesium 264 mg, zinc 6.03 mg, selenium 1.21 μg, vitamin A 5 μg, vitamin B1 0.36 mg, vitamin B2 0.2 mg, vitamin E 34.53 mg, carotene 0.03 mg, folic acid 280 μg, niacin 4.8 mg.

Nutritional analysis of sunflower seeds

1. Sunflower seeds contain about 50% fat, which is mainly unsaturated fat and does not contain cholesterol. The linoleic acid content can reach 70%, which helps to reduce the body's blood cholesterol level and is beneficial to protecting cardiovascular health.

2 In addition to being rich in unsaturated fatty acids, sunflower seeds also contain a variety of vitamins, folic acid, iron, potassium, zinc and other essential nutrients for the human body. Rich in iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements, sunflower seeds have the effect of preventing anemia and other diseases. Sunflower seeds are a good source of vitamin B1 and vitamin E. It is said that eating a handful of sunflower seeds every day can meet the vitamin E requirement of the human body for a day.

3 Experts in biology and medicine in the United States have conducted research on the medical effects of sunflower seeds and confirmed that sunflower seeds can treat depression, neurasthenia, insomnia and various psychogenic diseases, and can also enhance people's memory. It is good for calming emotions, preventing cell aging, and preventing adult diseases.

4. Sunflower seeds also have certain curative effects on cancer, hypertension, heart disease, iron deficiency anemia, etc. The American Institute for Cancer Research has proven in relevant experiments that consuming fiber can reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

5. There is a large amount of dietary fiber in sunflower seeds. Every 7 grams of sunflower seeds contains 1 gram, which is much higher than the dietary fiber content of apples. Sunflower seeds contain twice the iron content of raisins and peanuts.

6. Another point is that the protein of sunflower seeds contains arginine. Arginine is an indispensable component in the production of semen. Therefore, it is very beneficial for men in their childbearing period to eat some sunflower seeds every day.

7. According to analysis, the protein content of sunflower seed kernels is 30%, which is comparable to soybeans, lean meat, eggs, and milk; the content of various sugars is 12%; and the fat content is better than animal fats and vegetable oils, because It contains unsaturated fatty acids, of which linoleic acid accounts for 55%; it is also rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium, especially the potassium content is high, with a potassium content of 920 mg per 100 grams; it also contains vitamin A , B1, B2; every 15 grams contains 31 mg of vitamin E; the most valuable is the oil in sunflower seeds, with an oil content of 50%-55% in the kernels, making it the second-ranked oil crop after soybeans.

8. Use advanced low-temperature oil extraction technology to process sunflower seeds into protein powder for consumption. This protein is white in color, tastes good, is highly nutritious, and is easy to absorb. This protein powder can be used to make nourishing bread, artificial meat, sausages, canned food and other health foods.

9. Sunflower seeds are an economic crop that people cannot live without. The sunflower oil made from them can reduce the amount of cholesterol in the human blood.

Contraindications of eating sunflower seeds

It is not advisable to eat too much sunflower seeds. It is best to peel them by hand when eating. Because chewing with teeth can easily erode the tongue and corners of the mouth, and spit out a large amount of body fluid when spitting out the shells, which can dull the sense of taste, reduce appetite, and even cause stomach cramps. Body fluids help remove food residue from the oral cavity, reduce bacterial growth and fermentation, and protect the oral mucosa. According to measurements, if you eat 250 grams of sunflower seeds every day, you will lose 2500 grams of body fluid. No wonder people always feel dry mouth after eating sunflower seeds. In addition, patients with hepatitis are advised not to eat sunflower seeds, as they can damage the liver and cause cirrhosis. Eat enough to stop: about 80 grams each time is appropriate. Eat appropriately: Eating a lot of melon seeds will seriously consume saliva, which will affect people's oral health and even digestion over time. It is not advisable to eat too many melon seeds at one time to avoid getting angry and getting sores on the mouth and tongue.