Are sunflower seeds actually nuts? The answer is here

Sunflower seeds, also called guazi or bian guo, are a common snack food. There are many varieties, including sunflower seeds, white melon seeds, diao melon seeds, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, cucumber seeds, and loofah seeds. They are highly nutritious in themselves, and their content of vitamins, protein, and oils ranks among the highest. Let us take a look below at whether sunflower seeds are nuts!

Are sunflower seeds nuts?

Sunflower seeds are nuts. Nuts are generally divided into two categories: first, tree nuts, including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and so on. Second, seeds, including peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, and so on. Nuts contain relatively high amounts of protein, fat, vitamin E, calcium, and so on, are beneficial to the human body, and can supplement the nutrition the brain needs.

What kinds of sunflower seeds are there?

1. Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds are the fruit of the sunflower. They can not only be eaten as a snack, but can also be used as a raw material for making pastries. They are also an important raw material for oil extraction and are a high-grade, healthy source of oil.

2. White melon seeds: After being roasted, white melon seeds can be eaten directly, or ingredients can be added to make multi-flavored seeds. They taste fragrant and delicious, and can also be used as an auxiliary ingredient in pastries. They are rich in protein, fat, and vitamins. In traditional Chinese medicine, white melon seeds are used as a deworming medicine for intestinal parasites, and not only are the effects good, but there are also no side effects from chemical drugs.

3. Diao melon seeds: After being roasted, diao melon seeds taste smooth and mellow, with a uniquely crisp fragrance. Their appearance is brown and gorgeous, and the kernels are plump. They are known as the “king of seeds” and are a top-grade edible seed.

The disadvantages of eating sunflower seeds

1. Sunflower seeds contain too much salt, which can easily trigger high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the source of all diseases. Long-term cracking open of sunflower seeds will cause the shells to carry away a large amount of people's saliva, and a large lack of saliva poses a threat and harm to human life and health.

2. Sunflower seeds contain a certain amount of sugar, and people with diabetes should eat as little as possible. If 500 grams of sunflower seeds are eaten every day, it will definitely affect blood sugar, is not conducive to blood sugar control in people with diabetes, and eating more sunflower seeds is bad for diabetes.

3. In addition to being rich in protein, sunflower seeds also contain oils. Eating a large amount not only greatly increases calories, but also raises blood lipids. Some blood lipids can be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis, raising blood sugar.

4. When cracking open sunflower seeds, saliva is lost because it sticks to the shells and is spit out. Excessive loss of saliva can lead to mouth ulcers, gingivitis, dental caries, indigestion, and other illnesses, and can also make taste perception dull and reduce appetite.