What is halva and where did it come from? Halva - oriental dessert, translated from Arabic means "sweetness". It was first manufactured in Iran. Having gained popularity over time, it spread all over the world, and nobody knows how it got to Russia.

At first, only beauties from the harem got a treat. But since the product is too high in calories, warriors began to use it. All recipes for making goodies were classified. The secret of the recipe was discovered after the warriors returned home from the Crusades. So halva came to the territory of Europe.

Halva: useful properties

The main property of sunflower halva is to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This is due to the fact that it contains a large amount of iron and copper. Copper is the main catalyst in the production of hemoglobin.

• Helps to cope with insomnia, stress, calms the nervous system.
• Restores acid-base balance.
• Helps the body recover after an illness.
• The product contains a huge amount of minerals useful for the heart, it is iron, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, zinc.
• Helps the rapid healing of wounds.
• This product is useful for teeth, gives shine to hair, and rejuvenates the skin.
• Restores blood pressure.
• Improves memory.
• Stops the growth of benign and malignant neoplasms (breast, ovaries, intestines).
• Halva from sesame seeds is useful for athletes. It helps to relax the body and restore strength after prolonged physical training.

Halva - composition

In total, there are about 100 varieties of halva. In composition, it can be different. The main types that can be found in stores are: sunflower, nut, combined, sesame and chocolate.

In addition to a fragrant, original taste, it has exceptional chemical composition. This includes minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, food acids and a large amount of protein.

What halva is made of, the manufacturing process

The main ingredients that make up the product are natural honey, sugar, soap root, sunflower seeds or nuts. Shredded nuts are mixed with caramel, whipping everything until smooth.

So that its structure is correct, in a mixture add soap root, but it is only in industrial production, it is rarely used at home. Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant. If desired, taste enhancing ingredients such as raisins, vanillin or cocoa are added to the mixture.

The sweet taste of halva is given by sugar, and the carbohydrate content reaches up to 54 g per 100 g of product. Its calorie content is very high, like in chocolate, but its benefits are much greater. 100 g contains up to 500 kcal.

Sesame and almond halva has the lowest calorie content, and in sunflower it comes up to 512 kcal.

For people who are following their own figure, the consumption of the product should be limited or consumed in small portions.

The benefits of halva for the female body

Eastern delicacy contains vitamins B1, F1 and phytosterol, which is very useful for women. Thanks to the regular use of goodies, sleep and mood improves, depression and symptoms of PMS disappear.

Halva for pregnant women

If there are no contraindications, then it will be very useful for pregnant women to use sunflower halva in their diet. Folic acid contained in the product helps the formation of bone tissue in the fetus.

Vitamins E, B1, PP and F1 will provide additional nutrition to hair, nails and skin and also will not allow anemia to develop. For nursing mothers who want to prolong breastfeeding, it is recommended to eat a healthy treat. More milk will be produced and its fat content will increase.

So that the baby does not have an allergy, it should eat a piece of product up to 10 grams. If after a few days an allergic reaction does not appear, then the serving can be increased. Gradually bringing up to 300 grams per day.

Halva for diabetes

With diabetes, this product is contraindicated. Due to a lack of insulin in the body produced by the pancreas, blood sugar rises.

Therefore, people with diabetes should follow a certain diet. But do not worry, for such people make special grade halva. Instead of sugar syrup at its core, fructose is used.

Harm from halva

You can not use the product in unlimited quantities, otherwise all its benefits and aromatic taste will evaporate.

• Eastern sweets can cause allergies and metabolic disorders if it contains a large number of artificial colors, preservatives and synthetic emulsifiers.
• Due to the high calorie content, it is better not to consume this product for those who wish to lose weight or for people with obesity.
• For people with the disease, cholecystitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, the product is completely prohibited. Even a small piece eaten can cause an exacerbation of the disease, since its composition is too heavy for the body.
• Made sweets based on sugar molasses, banned for people with diabetes.

Important! So that the body is not harmed in the first place, the product must be fresh and high quality. If he expired or was stored incorrectly, the cadmium accumulated in the seeds may provoke poisoning.

It is recommended to buy halva packaged, hermetically packed. The packaging will indicate the composition of the product, the expiration date and the conditions for proper storage.

In addition, the packaging protects the product from contamination. It must be intact, otherwise the shelf life of the product is reduced.

1. A quality product should be free of oily marks. Droplets of fat that appeared on the surface and places with darkening show that the sweetness was stored incorrectly and microbiological damage began.
2. If the process was violated during the manufacture of the product, then halva will be with hard caramel veins.
3. If, when cut, the product has smooth edges and does not crumble a lot, this indicates that it is of high quality.

It is better to spend more time when choosing halva, but make sure that it is of high quality and will not harm your health.

To sunflower halva longer retain freshness and benefit the body, you should know how to properly store it:

• the first thing to do is to remove the packaging in which it was sold;
• the product is transferred to a glass or ceramic dish, covered with a lid and stored in the refrigerator or in a dry, dark place with a temperature of up to 18 degrees.

Halva is a famous oriental sweet, which is made from seeds, nuts and with the help of a blowing agent on a mixture of ingredients. Iran is considered the birthplace of halva, where they first tried to cook this sweet. By the way, in Arabic, halva means sweetness.

Unlike Slavic traditional sweets, this product is completely free of flour components, which gives the product much more usefulness compared to buns and cakes. The main differences between halva and other oriental sweet products is the fibrous nature of its texture, formed by the interaction of a foaming agent and a caramel base. Sweetness is prepared by mechanically and heat treating the seeds and nuts, which are initially finely ground and then poured into hot or sugar-based syrup.

It is to give halva stratification that nuts, seeds or legumes are introduced into the mass. The product must be made by hand, this is exactly what the inhabitants of the East came up with at the time, however, on the shelves of stores around the world you can find only an industrial product, devoid of many classical qualities that should be inherent in a real halva.

In the East, manufacturers of this sweet are called the word "kandalatchi." And although today halvah is prepared worldwide on an industrial scale, connoisseurs of sweets believe that only sweets in Iran are really tasty, where it is still produced manually by appropriate masters.

Varieties of sweets

Today, there are many varieties of halva, which is prepared according to both classical and modern recipes, adding various atypical ingredients to the product. However, these types of halva, which were historically prepared in the East, are only 6. The most famous type is sunflower halva, which is characterized by a dry appearance, lack of greasy smudges, oiliness, and a grayish-greenish hue, like real sunflower grains. Such a product cannot contain bitterness, but it should not be cloying in sweetness. Real sunflower halva is famous for its moderate sweetish flavor, light shade, dryness and light crumbling texture.

The next famous type of this sweet is. In her recipe is present, which is able to give the product a bitter taste in taste. The color of the tahini halva is yellowish-gray, without dark transitions or a deep earthy hue.

Many people prefer to use peanut halva, as it is very fragrant, creamy and very healthy. Walnut halva made from different types of nuts, for example, from almond or pistachio, and maybe from all at once, is also popular. Such a product may be different in its taste characteristics, depending on the type of raw material used in the manufacture.

Also, all the above varieties of sweets can be combined during production, as a result of which the producers receive combined halva, for example, pistachio-sesame or sesame-peanut. Often, walnuts are added to sunflower halva, and pieces of fruit are added to walnuts.

The youngest in time of occurrence is considered glazed halva. It is in high demand due to its exquisite taste, despite the fact that such a product is too high in calories and heavy for the stomach.

Storage methods and product selection methods

In order for a healthy and tasty treat to appear in the house, you need to clearly understand how to choose halva in the store, where today it is represented by a huge number of options. It is especially important to take into account the fact that the product is sold both in a weighted version and in packages, where it is not always possible to visually inspect the contents.

When buying packaging, you must ensure the integrity of the purchased products. Next, you should familiarize yourself with the composition, which the manufacturer must indicate on the box to find out if harmful preservatives or flavorings were added to halva. This fact may indicate not only an improvement in the characteristics of the finished product (for example, its taste), but also that the ingredients of which halva was made were of poor quality, which is why it was necessary to add flavoring components to the composition. When buying packaging with halva, you should give preference to transparent boxes or bags, inside which you can consider the hallmarks of good halva:

• a flat surface without sugar smudges, which indicate savings on the main components of the treat - nuts or seeds;
• the absence of greasy drops and smudges indicates compliance with all technological aspects in production;
• the absence of a whitish coating indicates the freshness of the product and proper storage.

With vacuum packaging, the product can be stored without losing its own taste for about 6 months, but in cardboard boxes, sweets cannot be stored for more than 2 months from the date of release. After opening any package, halva should be transferred to glass or ceramic dishes with a lid and stored exclusively in the refrigerator.

Features of the weighted product are in the following details:

• when buying sunflower or peanut halva, it is important to pay attention to the absence of husks on a slice or scrap, and if it is available, it is better not to buy the product;
• high-quality and fresh product must be fibrous, with visible fragility of the pieces, light color;
• whenever possible, the product should be tried - it should not be sticky.

When purchasing a weighted product, you need to check with the seller when the halva was produced, since from the time of production its shelf life is only 1 week.

Useful qualities

The vitamin and mineral composition of halva is very useful for the human body. The product has a lot of anti-aging properties, which carries a large concentration in the composition, and they relate not only to the appearance, but also to the central nervous system, due to its high content, helping to cope with depressive states and fight insomnia. Sweetness is good for the digestive organs and circulatory system. Due to the presence of the product helps to be absorbed, thereby strengthening bone tissue.

Halva based on seeds prevents cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Sesame product is rich in, contributing to the production of collagen and preventing the decline of vision and human immunity. The product also contains components that provoke oxygen metabolism, helping the body recover after heavy physical or mental stress, as well as after stressful situations and conditions. , containing in sesame halva, stabilizes the composition of the blood, and prevents aging of the skin, hair and nails. as part of sweets, it stabilizes the brain and has a beneficial effect on the activity of the nervous system as a whole.

A nut product has an increased benefit for people aged because it reduces the likelihood of a heart attack or dementia, due to the presence of nuts, which perfectly stimulate memory and help normalize the activity of internal organs and systems. Pistachio product is recommended for those who suffer from liver diseases, as well as people with reduced sexual function, since pistachios are an effective aphrodisiac. Any halva is able to lower the level and increase the speed of metabolic processes in the human body.

Contraindications of the product and its harmful qualities

Halva is contraindicated for all those who carefully monitor their weight, since this product is a high-calorie one. You can not eat sweets and diabetes, pancreatitis, obesity, problems with the digestive organs or atherosclerosis. Allergy sufferers also need to be careful when using this product, as it is made from ingredients with a high level of allergenicity.

The daily norm of halva for an adult is only 30 grams of the product, but for children under the age of 6, the product is not recommended to be used at all, since halva can damage the delicate mucous membrane of the children's mouth or milk teeth, and it can also cause the child to block the respiratory tract.

Culinary use and home cooking

A confectionery such as halva is perfect for pure tea parties. However, it is often put in all kinds of pastries in the form of a filling, melted to make homemade sauces, used as the basis for cheesecakes or incredible and aromatic.

Homemade halva is not at all difficult to prepare, its taste is very delicate, and you can be completely sure as a product, because for the recipe you can choose only high-quality and fresh products. The main ingredients of halva at home are:

• 220 grams of sesame;
• 160 grams of sugar;
• 1 cup flour;
• 80 milliliters;
• a handful of cashew nuts and various;
• 1 teaspoon;
• vegetable oil.

Sesame seeds are fried in a pan until golden, and then grinded in a coffee grinder. It is also necessary to do with flour - first fry, then mix with ground sesame and grind the whole mixture again. Finely chop nuts and dried fruits with a knife. The milk is mixed with vanilla and sugar and brought to a boil in a separate bowl, after which it is boiled for a minute to form a thick foam. After that, the milk mixture is combined with sesame and nut, thoroughly mixed, laid out in a greased form and well packed. The form is refrigerated. After solidification, the product is ready for slicing and consumption.

An appetizing aroma, an unusual grayish-green color and an amazing delicate taste - that is why the whole world loved halva so much. Initially, this delicacy was invented in Iran, and from there it spread throughout the world. Today it would be difficult to find a country in which they had not heard of this unusual Arabian sweetness. From this article you will find out whether sunflower halva is useful, whether it has contraindications and how it can be used for weight loss.

How to cook halva?

Making halva is quite simple: for starters, choose the main ingredient - it can be seeds, nuts, sesame seeds. This component is crushed and fried, then mixed with caramel - sugar paste. The result is a gentle, airy, crumbling halva, with a characteristic oil smell and a light gray-green tint. However, the last two indicators are characteristic of sunflower halva, from seeds. When it is made from sesame or nuts, the color and smell change, but its delicate structure remains unchanged.

The benefits of halva for the body

Halva is a rare sweet, which consists mainly of natural ingredients and preserves a lot of nutrients. So, for example, in a standard halva of seeds contains vitamins E, PP, B1 and B2, as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium and copper. At that time, when you enjoy this Arabian sweetness, it enriches your body with the lion's share of useful substances! Thanks to this, you can simply eat halva for your pleasure and watch how your health improves:

• the central nervous system is strengthened;
• the cardiovascular system improves;
• the body’s ability to absorb carbohydrates improves, which positively affects the gastrointestinal tract;
• increased secretion of gastric juice;
• the body's immune defense is activated and resistance to infections increases;
• vascular walls are cleared of cholesterol plaques;
• blood circulation is normalized;
• hair and nails are strengthened;
• the state of the reproductive system improves (especially in women).

Do not forget that each medal has two sides, that halva brings both benefit and harm - but only if it is used exorbitantly or contrary to contraindications.

Is halva good for losing weight?

Absolutely all types of halva have a calorie content of about 500 units. The most common type, from sunflower seeds, has an energy value of 516 kcal.

Unlike cakes and pastries with a similar calorie content, this product has a mass of useful substances. For every 100 g of halva, 11.6 g of the most valuable vegetable protein, 29.7 g of vegetable fats, useful for the body, and 54 g of carbohydrate are present - they are mainly represented by sugars, which give halva an amazing sweet taste.

Due to its high calorie content, halva is beneficial and harmful in weight loss issues. On the one hand, it enhances the exchange processes, helps the body absorb carbohydrates and spend energy more actively. On the other hand, it carries too much energy (calories) in itself. Therefore, it is allowed to eat only to those who are not obese or too much overweight. It is better to use it in the morning. And with a strict diet, halva is contraindicated.

Sunflower halva - the benefits and harms of goodies

Sunflower halva: useful properties

It's no secret that the use of seeds allows you to saturate the body with oils and trace elementswhose benefits to the body are undeniable. But, not all people like to use this product in its pure form, which, in addition, can harm your teeth. Those who want to benefit from this product can enjoy delicious sunflower halva. This is an ideal product for sweet tooth who care about the figure and condition of the body as a whole. Halva, whose benefits are known throughout the world, is an excellent substitute for chocolate.

In addition, it contains such useful vitamins as B1 and F. They are simply indispensable for the work of such body systems as cardiovascular, digestive, nervous. In addition, vitamin F can significantly improve the condition of the skin, and vitamin B1 regulates the level of acidity in the body. But, this is not all the benefits of this product.

In a series of studies, scientists have proved that the active substances contained in sunflower seeds benefit many biological processes in the body, and also inhibit the growth of tumors in the mammary glands, lungs, ovaries, intestines. Therefore, it can be said that the use of halva is mandatory to maintain health in the body.

Nevertheless, like any other product, you need to use it in moderation, otherwise the expected benefits for the body can easily turn into harm.

Sunflower halva: harm

Halva is certainly very tasty, but using this product very often and in unlimited quantities can cause significant harm to the body. Exceeding the daily norm of a product of 30 grams, as for any other sweetness, you can earn a lot of trouble, including:

• problems with teeth (caries, paradantosis);
• diabetes, especially in people who besides halva use a lot of other sweets;
• the appearance of excess weight;
• diathesis;
• digestive disorders, especially in people who often overeat, or vice versa, use this sunflower sweetness on an empty stomach.
• allergies and more.

Halva: contraindications

Sunflower halva: benefits and harms

How to explain the benefits and harms of sunflower halva

Sunflower halva is one of the options for caramel, in which there are nuts, sesame seeds, whole seeds and other “fillers”. Due to this, the product is filled with fatty acids, vegetable fats, protein, vitamins and trace elements. Everyone who is interested in sunflower halva, the benefits and harms of such a wonderful dessert should be known. Then it will turn out to organize the nutrition correctly and at the same time enjoy its consumption.

The composition of sunflower halva allows the product to bring great benefits. It consists in stimulating tissue renewal, improving metabolic processes, and supporting reproductive capabilities. And just a sunflower halva perfectly affects your well-being. Just do not forget that in some cases its harm is also significant. But these are quite rare cases.

What are the benefits of sunflower halva

The possibilities of sunflower halva in the role of a means to improve the body's capabilities are enormous. Therefore, they must be considered in detail and with the maximum possible description. The benefits of this product are as follows.

1. Sunflower seeds are rich in various natural antiseptics. Therefore, the benefit is that sunflower halva has an antiseptic effect, allows you to get rid of germs and toxins. The harm of such microorganisms and substances can be very significant if they are not eliminated.
2. Vegetable protein, which is very much in such a dessert, normalizes metabolism. Because of this, in reasonable quantities, sunflower halva can even lead to weight loss. In any case, the digestion process when using it improves. The benefit lies also in the emergence of opportunities for faster updating of cells and tissues in general.
3. Sunflower halva supports reproductive function. This benefit is especially significant for those of reproductive age. Often, sunflower halva, in which the benefits and harms are not fully taken into account, is even considered as a real cure for infertility. Perhaps in this respect its benefits are somewhat overestimated. But still, it is quite capable of creating the conditions for the successful conception of halva.
4. It is known that sunflower oil helps to reduce the risk of cancer. The halva from sunflower seeds has the same quality. Vegetable oils are of significant benefit in this case, therefore, this dessert can support the body in a difficult situation without problems. Most importantly, potential harm should also be considered.
5. The presence of a large amount of vitamin B1 in sunflower halva suggests that this sweetness is beneficial for those who suffer from heart disease or central nervous system. The product is characterized by the ability to normalize pressure, relieve stress and even remove from depression. The harm of high cholesterol is difficult to overestimate. With the use of sunflower halva, it is possible to create conditions under which cholesterol plaques do not form, and the vessels remain completely clean.
6. To some extent, the benefit of this eastern dessert is also manifested in the fact that it has a good effect on the condition of the skin and hair. Stress and nervous excitement do serious harm to them, but sunflower halva can support the body in a difficult situation. Sunflower honey obtained from the same plant will also help with this.

As you can see, sunflower halva, the benefits and harms of which will be useful to fully understand, has many advantages. Nevertheless, it is also worth considering the reverse side of such a product. Sometimes the harm from it can be somewhat more significant than the benefit. Therefore, it is useful to learn about harm well.

What is the harm of sunflower halva

Sunflower halva - a great help in the diet

Do not be afraid of the potential harm that sunflower halva is capable of doing. If there are no contraindications, and the product itself is purchased in a proven, reliable place, then the benefit from it will be very significant. Therefore, we can say for sure that sunflower halva is a delicious and healthy dessert.

About a hundred years ago, there was a rumor among Russian and Ukrainian lovers of oriental sweets about the Odessa confectionery, where an enterprising Greek named Kazi was selling an unusual treat made of nuts, seeds, cinnamon and molasses - halva. The assortment was wide: sugar halva, honey, chocolate halva and halva with almonds. The novelty quickly and firmly hooked, and soon the Kazi plant produced up to 800 kg of product per day. Needless to say, such a monopoly did not last long - two years later, halva production was already established in Moscow by the Russian merchant Sviridov. To surprise customers (and reduce the cost of production), Sviridov came up with the idea of \u200b\u200bmaking halva from sunflower seeds, which has since been the most familiar for the Russian buyer.

Despite the fact that the choice of sweets for tea is growing every day, halva for many remains a favorite treat. And whether you will become her loyal fan, largely depends on the right choice.

Varieties of halva

In the historical homeland of halva - East - halva is appreciated, loved and, by the way, is still made by hand. Sometimes the most unexpected products are used: semolina, corn, carrots and even sweet potatoes - sweet potato. On our shelves you are most likely not to encounter such exotic. And you will choose from the following varieties:

. Sunflower . The innovative recipe of the merchant Sviridov was so fond of our people that halva from seeds still holds the palm of popularity. Sunflower contains vitamins B, D and E, its use positively affects visual acuity, memory and hair condition. However, there is a "fly in the ointment" in your favorite seeds - cadmium, which is a toxic metal that affects the kidneys. Of course, the content of cadmium in halva is not critical, just consider this point if, in addition to the eastern dessert, you often lean on seeds. Please note: high-quality halva from sunflower has a greenish-gray hue.

. Tahini (sesame) . This halva is not inferior in the benefits of sunflower: in sesame seeds there are a lot of vitamins and minerals (phosphorus, iron and zinc). In addition, sesame slows down the aging process, being a natural antioxidant. A good tahini halva should have a yellowish-gray hue, it is much lighter than sunflower, and a little bit bitter.

. Walnut . The basis for halva nut most often is peanuts. Despite the fact that this nut contains its portion of trace elements, it is not recommended for people suffering from urolithiasis, as well as allergies. In this case, it is worth trying pistachio sweets or, for example, halva from cashews or almonds. All these nuts are useful for the work of the brain, and pistachios, among other things, are a good aphrodisiac. Peanut halva should have a cream shade, the rest of the species should be light yellowish.

. Combined . Since the production of halva from nuts is an expensive pleasure, mixed species are widely represented on the shelves. For example, sunflower-tahini, tahini-peanut, sunflower with pieces of nuts, raisins, candied fruits, cocoa powder, etc. Such halva has the beneficial properties of all the products contained in it.

. Glazed . Halva, covered with a layer of glaze, looks very appetizing, but recently quality chocolate has been increasingly rare as such a coating. And the confectionery glaze has neither useful properties nor taste advantages. Having opted for glazed halva, be sure to check the surface - it should not have a whitish coating that indicates that the sweetness was stored in the wrong conditions.

Consider packaging

Let's start with the composition. All words about the benefits of halva are relevant only if the product is completely natural. Emulsifiers, colorants, flavors and preservatives of quality halva are not needed. The composition of the product is not intricate, because the basic recipe for Eastern delicacies does not change: the base (seeds, nuts or their mixture) is crushed, and then beat with caramel, honey or molasses until a homogeneous mass is formed. The fibrous structure and splendor is achieved by adding natural blowing agents - soap root, licorice root, marshmallow, and sometimes protein. Such halva will be layered, crispy and, most importantly, healthy.

If the packaging is transparent (and it is better to choose a product in such a way that you can visually assess the quality), check the sweetness by the following parameters:

Halva is covered with sugar droplets - which means manufacturers have saved on the basis of replacing most of the nuts or seeds with caramel;
. refuse to buy, if you notice fat drops. They indicate that the cooking technology of the product has been violated;
. dark plaque indicates improper storage conditions or a long expired shelf life;
. By the way, about the terms: vacuum packaging allows halva to stay fresh for up to 6 months, cardboard keeps the product - up to 2 months. After opening it is worth shifting halva into glass or ceramic dishes with a lid and hide in the refrigerator. Your task is to minimize the contact of the oily product with air and light.

We estimate halva by weight

Weighted halva allows you to consider a future purchase in the context of:

Check sunflower and peanut halva for husks - this is a clear sign of poor quality;
. fresh halva - tiny, light, with a pronounced layered-fibrous structure;
. if possible, try a piece of halva. A high-quality product should not stick on your teeth, and a bitter taste, if halva is not sesame, indicates that the oils contained in nuts and seeds are rancid;
. ask the seller about the shelf life of the product - weight halva is not recommended to be stored for more than a week to avoid oxidation of fats.

Cooking halva at home

If you do not trust store halva and want to learn how to cook this oriental delicacy on your own, we suggest that you read to get acquainted with the recipe for making homemade halva.

To realize your confectionery whim, you will need sesame seeds, dates (dried), raisins, nuts, sunflower seeds. Sesame must be pre-fried, soaked dried dates for 5-8 hours, soaked raisins in water, but only a couple of hours. Grind the sesame seeds with a blender and fry the resulting crushed flour until a grayish color is obtained. Add nuts, chopped dates, seeds. We cook sugar syrup with honey and pour the ready-made mixture into it, then send it to the refrigerator for cooling. The delicacy is ready!

Choosing a quality halva, you are likely to be tempted to immediately eat the whole package: the sweet will crunch and melt in your mouth at the same time. But no matter how you want to cut off an extra piece, try to restrain yourself, because halva is not only useful, but also a very high-calorie product!

We wish you a good choice!

The first recipes for halva appeared in Iran more than 2.5 thousand years ago. Secret knowledge was transmitted strictly along the male line, from father to son. The artifacts found by historians helped restore the confectionery technique - surprisingly, but over the centuries it has changed little, only there have been more variations.

On an industrial scale, halva is still made from three main components: protein mass (oilseeds), caramel from sugar and molasses, and a foaming agent (usually marshmallow root). Sometimes the composition is diversified by adding cocoa, raisins. There are many different types of halva, but the inhabitants of our country are more accustomed to sunflower: due to the climatic characteristics of the region, the price of this delicacy is the most affordable.

Ripe sunflower is harvested from the fields, the seeds are cleaned of impurities and peel by a machine method. The cores are washed and sent to the technical processing workshop, where they are poured with hot air and fried at high temperatures (150C - 300C). So the sunflower loses moisture, but the content of useful oils in it remains the same and their properties do not weaken.

Next, the seeds are thoroughly ground to a state of a dense uniform mass, combined with caramel and a foaming agent thoroughly mixed with special mixers. Halvah is ready - it is cut and packaged in boxes, small packs.

Composition of sunflower halva

The high calorie content of sunflower halva (512 kcal) inspires women with concern for the beauty of the figure, but no one forces her to eat kilograms! You can afford one piece weighing 30 g per day - such a compromise will not affect the waist, but it will give strength for a long time. The second positive point of a sweet snack is the intake of a shock dose of nutrients in the body:

• Vitamins B1, B2, E, D, PP;
• Potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium;
• Polysaturated fatty acids;
• Phospholipids;
• Iron, copper;
• Useful vegetable.

Speaking about the nutritional value of sunflower sweets, it is necessary to highlight the high protein content - 11.6 per 100 g of product. Protein is a building material for the cells of the whole body, so it is difficult to overestimate the health benefits of halva. The same portion contains 29 g of easily digestible fats and 54 g of carbohydrates. The last indicator is important for diabetics - they are not recommended to eat ordinary sunflower halva, you can only occasionally treat yourself to a similar product on fructose.

It should be remembered that halva is very nutritious - it definitely should not be eaten at night or washed down with milk. Excessive passion for high-calorie sweetness can be harmful to the body.

The benefits of halva for women

Sunflower seeds have properties that are extremely beneficial to health, especially female. Replacing chocolate with sunflower halva, you will soon notice that the dream has become stronger, the mood is better, the hair is more beautiful. But first things first. So, what is halva useful for women?

• Keeps beauty. Vitamins in the eastern dessert contribute to the cellular renewal of the body, this process is the key to youth and skin tone. The regular use of goodies will be an excellent prevention of early wrinkles. In addition, nails will noticeably strengthen, hair will stop breaking, will please with smoothness and shine;
• Helps. Of course, if there is a lot of sunflower halva, there is a risk of not getting into any dress. But in small doses, it is indispensable on a diet as alternatives to sugar and favorite harmful sweets - sweets, cakes, in contrast to which it does not kindle hunger, but gives a feeling of satiety for a long time;
• Removes PMS. The premenstrual symptom is not idle fiction, but a scientifically proven phenomenon due to a change in the hormonal background. Suffering monthly from symptoms of PMS, make a habit of regularly eating sunflower halva: discomfort if it does not completely disappear, it will noticeably weaken;
• Enhances reproductive abilities. Vitamin E, which is rich in sunflower halva, is mandatory for women who have difficulty conceiving. No wonder such sweets were adored in eastern harems - each concubine sought to give birth to the heir to the sultan;
• Source. - the period when a woman needs to get the right amount of folic acid with food or medicine, and sunflower halva is a record holder in this matter. The second plus - it will raise hemoglobin, and after all, many pregnant women are faced with the problem of anemia. But all this is relevant only in the absence or contraindications, before use, you need to consult a doctor;
• Increases the nutritional value of breast milk. Sunflower halva is very high in calories and helps to improve lactation, saturates milk with substances useful for the baby. But not all babies benefit from it, allergic reactions are possible, so enter it into the diet very carefully.

A small piece of goodies from sunflower seeds is an excellent snack for a health-conscious woman: it gives energy, increases brain activity, improves mood.

A little more about halva

Sunflower halva due to the peculiarities of the composition is especially useful for some ailments, from which it will also serve as a prophylactic:

• CNS Disorders. The nervous system of a woman is especially fragile, any minor stresses can cause insomnia. Eat a piece of halva for the night with hot herbal tea and forget about the trouble until morning;
• Oncology. According to recent studies by scientists, sunflower and all products from it inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors in the mammary glands, ovaries, and the gastrointestinal tract;
• Cardiovascular diseases. Potassium and magnesium strengthen the heart muscle, and their content in sunflower halva is quite high. Plant proteins lower cholesterol, treat hypertension. The best prevention heart attack   - a slice of sunflower dessert every morning;
• Anemia. Iron from sunflower halva is easily absorbed by the body, phosphorus stimulates blood circulation. The composition of the blood is cleansed, the process of its circulation is normalized;
• Bone fragility. Osteoporosis - diagnoses in which sunflower oilcake is very useful - for both women and men. The simultaneous intake of calcium with vitamin D guarantees its almost complete assimilation, which means strengthening of bone tissue;
• Hangover. It may not be such a terrible disease, but it is an unpleasant, painful phenomenon. It is noticed that halva helps the body recover after a stormy party with alcohol.

For all its positive qualities, sunflower halva is categorically contraindicated for people suffering from obesity.