Sunflower seeds contain a complex of vitamins and useful elements that are vital for humans. That is why seeds are very often used in folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases. It is necessary to store sunflower seeds in compliance with certain rules. Otherwise, they may not help, but harm.
general information
Sunflower seeds can be stored for quite a long time, and the amount of vitamins in them will not change. In addition to observing basic rules, it is important to pay attention to the fact that peeled seeds are best eaten immediately. With prolonged storage, such a product can completely lose all its useful and medicinal properties. This rule applies not only to fried, but also fresh sunflower seeds.
You can store sunflower seeds for 6-7 months. If during this time the appearance of the seeds or their taste began to change, hurry up to get rid of the product and do not eat it.
In peeled seeds, during long-term storage, special processes begin to occur that cause oxidation of the fats they contain. Substances that are formed instead of useful components can cause serious harm to health.
Storage conditions for seeds
One of the main rules for storing sunflower seeds is to maintain the required air temperature. In a warm place and with high air humidity, the seeds are almost instantly oxidized. This process can cause them to be highly oily and have a bitter taste.
To keep the seeds fresh for a long time, be sure to store them in containers that can be closed with a lid. It is highly discouraged to use metal dishes for this. The metal will not affect the taste or appearance of the seeds, but will transform them from healthy to very harmful to the body.
The best place to store seeds is in a dark cabinet, which is not exposed to sunlight or steam from cooking. Many experts recommend storing sunflower seeds in the refrigerator.
Never eat seeds with obvious signs of mold. Aflatoxins, which are formed in this case, can become the causes of the most serious diseases, including cancer.
Preparing seeds for storage
Only absolutely dry sunflower seeds can be stored. If moisture gets into the container and you close the container with a lid, mold will form in it after a short time. Look carefully at the dishes containing the seeds. It must be clean, dry and must be tightly closed.
The degree of maturity of sunflower seeds does not affect the way they are stored. In addition, unripe seeds are often used to improve appetite, lower blood pressure, and prevent certain diseases.
