Sunflowers: More Than Just a Pretty Face. By @abdulmukit

The sunflower is an annual flowering plant. Sunflower plants grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall, with flowers up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. The flower looks a bit like the sun and is so named because it faces the sun. Its seeds are used as poultry feed and as a source of oil. These seeds are crushed in a machine to extract the oil. Sunflower is widely cultivated in different countries around the world as a source of oil. Cultivated as winter and spring crops in plains, monsoons in high-red soil areas, and winter crops in coastal areas. Sunflower has been cultivated as an oil crop in Bangladesh since 1975.

Uses of sunflowers

A) Sunflower seeds are fed to poultry as fodder.

B) These seeds are threshed in machines to extract oil. Sunflower is widely cultivated in different countries around the world as a source of oil.

C) Sunflower oil, known as Vanaspati oil, is used as a substitute for ghee.

D) Sunflower oil is better than other cooking oils and is very effective for heart patients. It has very low cholesterol levels. It also contains vitamins A, D, and E.

E) A good source of vitamin E is the seeds of this sunflower flower.

F) Vitamin E has many beneficial aspects. Vitamin 'E's free radical resistance or antioxidant role works. The power of vitamin E includes two other properties that play a significant beneficial role in heart disease. These two properties are anti-inflammatory and aid in smooth muscle cell growth. Both muscle cell production and anti-inflammatory properties prevent the narrowing of blood vessels.

The anti-cancer properties of vitamin E are also known. Sunflower seeds contain high-quality vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant and reduces inflammation in various parts of the body. Taking it regularly cures osteoarthritis, asthma, and rheumatism. Both magnesium and calcium are very important for bone health. Sunflower seeds are a very good source of minerals, so they help build healthy bones. These seeds contain high-quality phytosterols and lignans, which are anti-cancer. These elements do not allow cancer cells to form in the body. It has anti-ageing properties, which prevent the skin from showing signs of ageing. Vitamin E and beta-carotene keep the skin youthful and glowing. Beta-carotene keeps the skin free from the harmful effects of the sun, and vitamin E prevents wrinkles on the skin. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin B-6, which prevents hair loss by supplying oxygen to the scalp and promotes healthy new hair growth.

It also contains copper, which maintains the natural colour of the hair. Sunflower seeds are a good source of fatty acids, keeping the skin elastic smooth and soft. It also has antibacterial properties, which prevent bacterial infections. These seeds contain phytosterols, which lower blood cholesterol levels. The magnesium in them helps the nervous system function properly by reducing the excess calcium levels in the nerve cells. Sunflower seeds contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps in the production of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a substance that relieves fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Why do sunflowers always face the sun?

Every morning, all the trees in the sunflower garden face east like a parade team. The sun rises in that direction and rises slowly. Along with the sun, the sunflowers also gradually change their direction. Where the sun goes, they also go. They always face the sun. When the sun sets in the west, they also stay west. After sunset, they turn around again and head east for the rest of the night. Face the sun again on a new day. And so the cycle continues. This cycle continues until they get old. Because this chakra is active, sunflowers always face the sun. The researchers published details of their research in the journal Science. The circadian cycle or circadian clock is sometimes called the 'body clock'. This cycle also exists in humans. For example, every person falls asleep at a certain time of the day. Let me give an example.

Some people always go to sleep at 11 p.m. One day, the watch broke without his knowledge. The clock fell two hours behind. In such a situation, that person will fall asleep at 9 o'clock. Regardless of the time on the mechanical clock, the body's own clock will tell you to go to sleep at the right time. This internal clock is the circadian cycle. Sunflower stems follow the sun during the day and reverse at night to wait for the sun again. Plants do not normally have this cycle. There are very few exceptions.