Sunflower Seeds

Raw Activated Sunflower Seeds

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What are activated seeds?
An activated seed is a seed that has been soaked and sprouted to release its enzyme inhibitors.

Why should seeds be activated?
Enzyme inhibitors prevent nuts from sprouting at inappropriate times. This is an evolutionary mechanism that ensures seeds only sprout when environmental conditions will support the growth of young plants. Phytic acid and oxalic acid are examples of enzyme inhibitors, and are found in varying ratios depending on the seed. Of the four seasons, springtime is when we see nature come to life. Environmental conditions support the germination of seeds into seedlings. Rainfall is responsible for deactivating the enzyme inhibitors, which when coupled moderate spring temperatures supports the growth of freshly germinated seedlings into young plants.

These enzyme inhibitors also prevent the seeds from being over eaten by animals in the wild. In humans' regular consumption of seeds with enzyme inhibitors, can result in digestive distress in much the same way gluten does. Constipation, stomach cramps and bloating are examples of some issues people have eating raw, unactivated seeds. This is why seed activation is an important process.

  * sugar free
  * gluten free
  * dairy free
  * low GI
  * GE free


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How do we activate our seeds?
An activated seed is essentially a germinated seed. The activation process requires seeds to be soaked in water for a period of 12-24 hours depending on the nut variety. This deactivates the enzyme inhibitors and brings the seed to life. Once our seeds have been soaked, we then dehydrate them at low temperatures (40 degrees) over a 24-hour period. Dehydrated seeds have a similar flavour and texture to roasted seeds or nuts, however are much more nutrient dense and taste much fresher. Activating seeds makes the nutrients more digestible and easier to assimilate, they also taste delicious!

Activated Sunflower Seeds - Plain - Raw Planet - Organic & Raw

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NEW!

Sunflower seeds make a tasty snack straight from the bag or a great addition to trail mix, stir-fries and salads. They are a good source of selenium, which has cancer fighting properties, and are also a good source of magnesium, copper, antioxidants and Vitamin E.

Our sunflower seeds are dried under 45degrees in our factory

Product of New Zealand

Health Benefits:
Looking for a health-promoting snack? A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Benefits from Sunflower Seeds' Vitamin E
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E travels throughout the body neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules, such as cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol. By protecting these cellular and molecular components, vitamin E has significant anti-inflammatory effects that result in the reduction of symptoms in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, conditions where free radicals and inflammation play a big role. Vitamin E has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, help decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women going through menopause, and help reduce the development of diabetic complications.

In addition, vitamin E plays an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E is one of the main antioxidants found in cholesterol particles and helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol. Only after it has been oxidized is cholesterol able to adhere to blood vessel walls and initiate the process of atherosclerosis, which can lead to blocked arteries, heart attack, or stroke. Getting plenty of vitamin E can significantly reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. In fact, studies show that people who get a good amount of vitamin E are at a much lower risk of dying of a heart attack than people whose dietary intake of vitamin E is marginal or inadequate.

Sunflower Seeds' Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol
Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, and when present in the diet in sufficient amounts, are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers.

Phytosterols beneficial effects are so dramatic that they have been extracted from soybean, corn, and pine tree oil and added to processed foods, such as "butter"-replacement spreads, which are then touted as cholesterol-lowering "foods." But why settle for an imitation "butter" when Mother Nature's nuts and seeds are a naturally rich source of phytosterols—and cardio-protective fiber, minerals and healthy fats as well?

In a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers published the amounts of phytosterols present in nuts and seeds commonly eaten in the United States.

Sesame seeds had the highest total phytosterol content (400-413 mg per 100 grams), and English walnuts and Brazil nuts the lowest (113 mg/100grams and 95 mg/100 grams). (100 grams is equivalent to 3.5 ounces.) Of the nuts and seeds typically consumed as snack foods, sunflower seeds and pistachios were richest in phytosterols (270-289 mg/100 g), followed by pumpkin seeds (265 mg/100 g).

Calm Your Nerves, Muscles and Blood Vessels with Sunflower Seeds' Magnesium
Sunflower seeds are a good source of magnesium. Numerous studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps reduce the severity of asthma, lower high blood pressure, and prevent migraine headaches, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Magnesium is also necessary for healthy bones and energy production. About two-thirds of the magnesium in the human body is found in our bones. Some helps give bones their physical structure, while the rest is found on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to draw upon as needed.

Magnesium counterbalances calcium, thus helping to regulate nerve and muscle tone. In many nerve cells, magnesium serves as Nature's own calcium channel blocker, preventing calcium from rushing into the nerve cell and activating the nerve. By blocking calcium's entry, magnesium keeps our nerves (and the blood vessels and muscles they ennervate) relaxed. If our diet provides us with too little magnesium, however, calcium can gain free entry, and the nerve cell can become overactivated, sending too many messages and causing excessive contraction. Insufficient magnesium can thus contribute to high blood pressure, muscle spasms (including spasms of the heart muscle or the spasms of the airways symptomatic of asthma), and migraine headaches, as well as muscle cramps, tension, soreness and fatigue.

Improved Detoxification and Cancer Prevention from Sunflower Seeds' Selenium
Sunflower seeds are also a good source of selenium, a trace mineral that is of fundamental importance to human health. Accumulated evidence from prospective studies, intervention trials and studies on animal models of cancer has suggested a strong inverse correlation between selenium intake and cancer incidence. Selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and to induce their apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to eliminate worn out or abnormal cells.

In addition, selenium is incorporated at the active site of many proteins, including glutathione peroxidase, which is particularly important for cancer protection. One of the body's most powerful antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase is used in the liver to detoxify a wide range of potentially harmful molecules. When levels of glutathione peroxidase are too low, these toxic molecules are not disarmed and wreak havoc on any cells with which they come in contact, damaging their cellular DNA and promoting the development of cancer cells. Its selenium richness is another reason that sunflower seeds can make a good snack.

How to Enjoy:
A Few Quick Serving Ideas:
- Add sunflower seeds to your favourite tuna, chicken or turkey salad recipe.
- Garnish mixed green salads with sunflower seeds.
- Adding sunflower seeds to scrambled eggs will give them a unique taste and texture.
- Use fine ground sunflower seeds to dust your meats with in place of flour.
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Sprinkle sunflower seeds onto hot and cold cereals.

Nutritional Profile:
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E and a very good source of copper and vitamin B1.. In addition, sunflower seeds are a good source of manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, and niacin.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 20g - 1 tblspoon

Average Qty

Average Qty

per serve

per 100g

Energy

341.6kj

1708kj

Protein

4.19g

20.96g

Total Fat

9.12g

45.6g

Saturated Fat

0.95g

4.78g

Total Carbohydrates

3.44g

17.24g

Sugars

0.48g

2.4g

Sodium

2.4mg

12mg

Activated Sunflower Seeds - Tamari - Raw Planet - Organic & Raw

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Our Tamari Roasted Sunflower Seeds are bursting with organic deliciousness, whilst delivering beneficial nutrients, including protein. Tamari is a soy sauce that is produced without wheat ingredients and is naturally fermented, giving a full-bodied zest to food without synthetic chemical processes or additives. Enjoy a handful of tasty tamari-roasted sunflower seeds to take care of your hunger while delivering a wealth of nutrition. Throw into salads or stir-fries, or devour straight from the pack! 

Made in New Zealand

Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Seeds, Tamari soy sauce