Sunflower lecithin is an ingredient you might have seen in some prepared or processed foods before. What is sunflower lecithin, anyways?
Sunflower lecithin acts as an emulsifier, meaning it helps combine ingredients that would normally want to separate – such as oil and water. It’s a common additive in foods, but can also be taken as a supplement for health purposes.
We’ll dive into more about what sunflower lecithin is used for in this article, in case you’re curious!
What is sunflower lecithin?
Sunflower lecithin is a group of phospholipids (a chemical structure involving fats) that acts as an emulsifier, which means it helps combine things that normally wouldn’t mix – like oil and water. Lecithin is naturally occurring not only in sunflower seeds but in egg yolks and soybeans as well.
You’ve probably seen sunflower lecithin on ingredient labels of processed foods. Emulsifiers like sunflower lecithin and carrageenan help prevent the separation of ingredients that normally wouldn’t stay mixed together.
Sunflower lecithin is made by dehydrating a sunflower and separating it into oil, gum, and solids. Sunflower lecithin is made from the gum and is processed into lecithin. You can find sunflower lecithin in both liquid and powder forms for personal use – which we’ll get into soon!
What is sunflower lecithin in?
Sunflower lecithin is a common food additive and can be found in things like:
- Chocolate
- Mayonnaise
- Margarine
- Baked goods
- Instant products
- Nut milks like almond milk
Sunflower lecithin can also be taken as a health product. Some of the claims for sunflower lecithin include:
- Improving cholesterol levels (helping lower “bad” cholesterol and raising “good” cholesterol)
- Aids in breastfeeding (increases choline levels in breastmilk; can also aid in preventing clogged milk ducts)
Is sunflower lecithin safe?
Sunflower lecithin is considered safe for consumption. It’s considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration, allowing it to be used by food manufacturers as a food additive.
When taken as a supplement, sunflower lecithin may cause side effects such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or loose stools – but it’s generally well-tolerated by most people.
If you take sunflower lecithin as a supplement, a dose of 20-30 grams (2000-3000 milligrams) daily is standard – though higher doses may be recommended for things like recurrent plugged milk ducts in breastfeeding people.
Why is sunflower lecithin popular for breastfeeding?
Sunflower lecithin is popular among nursing mothers because it helps thin and smooth milk out by emulsifying the fats, helping to promote flow of breastmilk, and reducing plugged milk ducts.
Sunflower lecithin is also a good source of choline, a nutrient important for brain development in babies. Mothers who take sunflower lecithin will therefore have more choline in their breast milk, which can benefit the breastfed infant.
Is sunflower lecithin gluten-free?
Sunflower lecithin is vegan and gluten-free. It’s suitable for special diets like keto, Paleo, and Whole30.
FAQs:
Sunflower lecithin is used as a food additive in processed foods and acts as an emulsifier (keeps ingredients from separating). It can also be taken as a supplement and may help support healthy cholesterol levels as well as aid in breastfeeding.
Sunflower lecithin helps keep the fats from the almonds evenly mixed in the water. Without an emulsifier like sunflower lecithin, the fats would separate from the water and the almond milk wouldn’t be evenly mixed.
Sunflower lecithin shouldn’t decrease milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. Instead, it helps the fats become evenly mixed in the liquid part of breastmilk, which can help promote flow of milk and may reduce clogged milk ducts.
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