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Sunflower seeds are 22% protein and contain 50% oil. For every 100 grams, sunflower seeds contain 30 grams of unsaturated fats and 30 milligrams of essential linoleic acid, which reduces cholesterol deposits in the arteries and veins. If you are trying to break an addiction to high-fat foods, they may be a healthy alternative and will satisfy fat cravings. One hundred grams of these tiny treasures contain 7 milligrams of iron compared to 2½ milligrams in the same serving of beef. Flour made from sunflower seeds is the richest source of iron in the world, second only to brewers yeast. Sunflower flour is easily made in a coffee grinder.



Sunflower seeds are also filled with potassium which helps flush and reduce sodium in the body. These seeds are plentiful in magnesium and phosphorus which help the body absorb calcium. There are 174 milligrams of calcium in a cup of sunflower seeds. The calcium to phosphorus ratio makes the calcium readily available for the building of strong bones. Sunflower seeds are a strong source of B vitamins, especially thiamin and niacin which protects the health of the brain, skin and digestive tract.



They will grow up to 8 feet tall, crowned with a huge flower, filled with developing seeds.

Sugar cane, is a tropical plant that is a cane. This cane is ready for cutting in 11-18 months. Unfortunately, most of the cutting is still done manually, although some is done mechanically. About half of the loading being mechanised.

After reaching the factory, the cane is chopped with a series of rapidly rotating knives. Iron and iron-alloy particles are removed by an electromagnet. The chopped cane is shredded, crushed and a small amount of water added to faciliitate cane juice separation. Generally, the crushed mixture is slightly acid[pH5.5].



Mixed juice is heated and clarified by the addition of lime and the decantation of impurities. The clarified juice is evaporated and the syrup transferred back and forth depending upon the Brix [pan 1: 16-180 Brix; pan 3: 55-750 Brix; final pan: 900 Brix]. The final syrup mix is centrifuged to extract the sugar crystals and remove molasses and liquid. The brown sugar may be further refined.



Brown sugar or raw sugar is decolorized by passing through carbon filters, recrystallizing in vacuum boiling pans, and removing final liquid by centrigation. It is simply a crystallization process.



From the process, three by-products of sugar cane are formed: molasses, bagasse and filter scums. The latter two by-products are recycled back into the processing plant. The filter scums contain phosphoric acid and are used as fertilizers in the fields. The bagasse is used as fuel to produce steam and electricity.



Turbinado sugar is raw cane sugar. This raw sugar that is refined fromthe initial pressing of sugar cane. The sugar crystals aren't stripped of any color or flavor giving it a natural taste. All natural Sugar In The Raw has no additives.



Source:http://food.oregonstate.edu/sugar/cane.html

Salt is one of the most ubiquitous food ingredients around. Those who think of salt only as something used to perk up flavor might wonder what could possibly give this ingredient the level of importance it has gained through the ages. In reality, there is much more to this crystalline cube than first meets the eye.



Besides enhancing taste, salt has several other functions in food products. It acts as an antimicrobial or microbiological control agent. It contributes to certain chemical reactions that create a wide variety of food characteristics.



Sometimes the terms "salt" and "sodium" are used interchangeably, but technically this is not correct. "Salt" is sodium chloride. By weight, it is 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride.

Most foods and tap water contain sodium and chloride. Sodium is an essential nutrient, a mineral that the body cannot manufacture itself.

Because of sodium's importance to your body, the excretory and nervous systems guard against under-consumption of salt, which is a threat to your body's nerves and muscles. Other ions such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are also very important. Concentrations of these ions are held in narrow ranges by the kidney.



The association between eating salt and the risk of blood pressure increasing is difficult to quantify. Some people are sensitive to changes in salt intake whereas others can adjust so that blood pressure does not rise at all.



Americans typically consume 4,000-8,000 mg each day, well above their daily needs. A goal for moderation for all adults, (including pregnancy and lactation) is approximately 2,400 mg of sodium per day.