Read 79 times since Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Roasted sunflower seeds are a very popular treat. They are high in protein and provide a supposedly healthy snack to help you stay awake when driving or deal with a work day.
Most people don't realize it though what a health hazard they can actually be. Many seeds tend to be rich in the Omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which are normally very beneficial to health.
Raw, fresh seeds are very good for your health. But, if they are sitting around in storage too long or are heated in any way they start to become rancid.
The natural fresh oils in the seeds become old or rancid and full of free radicals, which cause cancer. These free radicals can really put a big burden on your immune system since they are highly toxic.
Ideally, seeds should be used within a short amount of time or refrigerated until ready for use to preserve the freshness. The oils can go bad in a short amount of time in certain seeds.
It's ironic how everyone is trying to consume more flax seeds in order to get more omega-3s into their diet without realizing that the ways they are being used are actually making them detrimental to health. Flax seeds will lose their freshness soon after being ground up or heated.
Flax seeds that have been kept in storage too long have a fishy smell. And, any hopes of getting an omega-3 benefit is gone completely.
It doesn't do any good to buy ground flax seeds to sprinkle on cereal or add to food since the oils in flax seeds can go rancid so soon after grinding. Consider how long they sit around in a box or bag becoming even more old and toxic.
What good does it do to have a cookie or muffin with flax seed if the cookie or muffin had to be cooked. It's the same with sunflower seeds that are rich in omega-9 fatty acids.
Sunflower seeds lose their health-giving benefits when they are roasted. The natural oils become toxic under the heat and contribute to cancer at alarming rates.
You can really tell if a sunflower seed has fresh oils in it if it is a true gray color. However, the sign of the sunflower seeds oils going rancid are when the seeds start to look yellow, brown, speckled or white.
Roasted, rancid oils are free radicals in the body. Free radicals are known to be a big cause of health problems and cancer in the body. Many people try to up their intake of vitamins A, C, and E to help their immune system in the fight with free radicals.
These vitamins have to be taken in huge doses in hopes of counteracting the effect. However, they are more effective if taken in balanced, whole food forms and less toxic to the body.
Any time you decide to buy some seeds, look for ones in a health food store that are kept in the refrigerated section. Avoid the roasted and rancid varieties sitting on the shelves for the less-informed public.
Don't be fooled in the types of sunflower, flax, sesame and other seeds added as health ingredients to various foods, especially if they have been ground, heated and have been sitting around at room temperature for lengthy periods. Destry Masterson is a health and nutrition expert. She publishes articles for http://www.foodstoragereviews.com and recommends them for food storage.
Contact Info:
Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson
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