Delightful Sunflower Health Benefits

 

Sunflower Health Benefits

The sunflower Helianthus annuus is a large annual forb of the genus Helianthus grown as a crop for its edible fruits and edible oil. People enjoy the simplicity of the sunflower, often arranging flowers in a vase to spruce up any summer decor with an array of spectacular flowers. The Sunflower symbolizes adoration, loyalty, longevity seen as bright cheery plants warm as the summer sun. Contemporary sunflowers trace their ancestry back to found at archaeological sites dating from 3,000 BC. They grew abundantly in the Great Plans sunflowers were first purposely cultivated by Native Americans in the South West Mississippi Valley area as a source of medicine, fiber, seeds and oil. When European settlers arrived in the United States they imminently recognized the value of sunflowers and sent seeds back to Europe for planting. Sunflowers were soon found in cottage gardens across Europe and even in Van Gogah’s painting of sunflowers is among most of his favorite works of art however it was in Russia that that the sunflower become an agricultural crop that provided a good source of oil that could be eaten without breaking church dietary rules of the time.

Early 20th century Russian growers breaded and selected disease resistance and high oil content for cultivation purposes. In the 1960 the U.S. began sustained commercial production of oil seed cultures to produce vegetable oil. The sunflower is long beloved as part of a rural landscape that shines brightly with warm yellow petals known as rays embraced by gardeners as an ornamental plant. Responding to this interest, breeders in Germany, Japan, and the U.S. have developed different types of sunflowers particularly suitable for home gardens. Sunflower seeds are popular health foods commonly consumed in nut butter, trail mix, breakfast cereals or straight from the bag eaten as a snack. They contain beneficial nutritious healthy fats, minerals and antioxidant compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acid to help fight off free radical cellular damage.  Sunflower seeds  are a rich source of sulfur proteins valuable for many biological processes including muscular and skeletal development in the human body.

Sunflower seeds have a tough striped outer shell appearance that is difficult to digest whole and usually hulled to remove the outer shell for consumption. People can grow sprouts from sunflower seeds kernels to increase the seeds  nutritional benefits. Sunflower oil is a non volatile oil pressed from the seeds of the sunflower Helianthus annuals commonly used in food as a frying oil and cosmetic formulations as an moisturizer emollient. Expressed sunflower oil is primarily composed of oleic acid, polyunsaturated fat, linoleic acid, and monounsaturated fats that has a neutral taste profile.  The oil contains large amounts of vitamin E compared to linseed, peanuts and sesame seed.  Vitamin E is a nutrient that is important to reproduction, vision, including the health of your blood, skin and brain.  One tablespoon of sunflower oil is 120 calories, one 1⁄4 cup serving of shelled sunflower seeds is equal to 4 tablespoons serving size is 205 calories per serving and is a rich source of amino acids cysteine,glutamine,arginine, high concentrations of niacin and vitamins A,B,C.

Consuming sunflower seeds is a healthy addition to any diet when eaten in moderation providing the body with essential nutrition and plant compounds that are a suitable source of fiber, and has antioxidant, anti inflammatory properties. Sunflowers can be a beautiful addition to any home garden used to brighten any landscape that may attract pollinating birds, and bees that might improve your harvest. Sunflower seeds can be started indoors in individual peat pots, it is easiest to sow seeds directly into the soil after the last spring frost is passed waiting until the outdoor temperature is 55 to 65 degrees F.   Sunflowers easily grow vigorously, growing up to 6 feet in just 3 months so it is a good idea to spread 2-3 inch organic mulch layers to reduce moisture loss through evaporation discouraging weed growth. Sunflower farms across the country are a great place to explore the industry in 2022 perfect for a day out in the sun. At sunflowers near me there are amazing sunflower fields and sunflower mazes winding through a picturesque landscape showcasing different varieties of sunflowers to choose from. Visit fruitpicking.com to find 55 different places to pick your own sunflowers near you to enjoy the day!

Cheers! Patricia Lynn

Photo by Larisa Birta on Unsplash