Information on Sunflower Seeds

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Overview

Sunflowers are tall, fast growing leafy annuals that reach heights of up to 16 feet. Sunflower seeds have more than one use.

The sunflower is grown for its seeds.

Bird Seed

The seeds are highly prized as birdseed, especially for winter birds. The high oil content provides calories needed for energy.

Snack

Nutrition information per 1 oz. serving: 166 calories; 14g fat (2g saturated); 6g carbohydrate; 6g protein; 3g fiber; 115mg sodium.

Oil

Oil from sunflower seeds has a light taste and supplies more vitamin E than any other oil. There are no trans-fats in sunflower oil.

Commericial sunflower growing produces billions of pounds of seeds.

Commercialization

The sunflower is a native of the U.S., but the first commercialization took place in Russia.

Sunflowers were first grown by Native Americans.

Domestication

The Native Americans first domesticated the sunflower into a single headed plant and grew it as a food resource.

Production

In 2008, the production of sunflower seed was nearly 3.5 billion pounds, of which 3 billion pounds was used to produce oil.

References

Nutritional Data
Height Chart

Who Can Help

National Sunflower Association

Keywords: sunflower seed, oil kernal, facts

About this Author

Michael Logan is a writer, editor and web page designer. His professional background includes electrical, computer and test engineering, real estate investment, network engineering and management, programming and remodeling company owner. Logan has been writing professionally since he was first published in Test & Measurement World in 1989.