Does halva increase hemoglobin levels in the blood — a detailed review

Confectioners know more than 15 varieties of halva. But for many, this delicacy is associated with a mixture of sunflower seeds with sugar syrup.

And, oddly enough, such halva is extremely beneficial for the cardiovascular system.

In particular, it is able to increase hemoglobin at low levels. How is this effect achieved? How often and in what quantities is it recommended to consume halva to raise its level?

What does it consist of?

The basis of traditional halva is ground sunflower seeds (and, together with the husk), as well as thick sugar syrup (with which a dense thick mass is obtained). Also, in some recipes, sesame paste, nuts, and some dried fruits are added to halva.

Sunflower seeds contain a large amount of iron (about 7 mg per 100 grams, which is comparable to its content in apples, pomegranates). And it is thanks to this that the effect of increasing hemoglobin is achieved.

And the most useful in this regard is tahini halva, which is made on the basis of sesame and sesame paste. It contains almost 12 mg of iron per 100 grams of product. And its daily intake for an adult is only 15-20 mg.

Effect on hemoglobin levels

The use of halva helps to increase hemoglobin. How pronounced the increase in the concentration of iron in the blood will be directly depends on its bioavailability. And this factor is mainly influenced by vitamins, minerals, and glucose. Accordingly, it will be possible to increase hemoglobin in the blood only on the condition that a person does not experience a deficiency of micronutrients.

Is it possible to eat it with elevated hemoglobin? Absolutely not , because due to the high glucose content , it Increases blood viscosity . And with increased hemoglobin, on the contrary, it should be reduced.

Can it be consumed with low hemoglobin (anemia)? Yes, doctors even recommend including it in your daily diet , but only if there are no contraindications (and there are quite a lot of them).

Contraindications include:

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract during exacerbation (ulcers or gastritis);
2. Diabetes mellitus (in this case, it is allowed to eat no more than 5-10 grams of halva at a time, so as not to provoke glycemia and a sharp jump in blood sugar levels);
3. Allergy (sunflower seeds often cause food allergies);
4. Pancreatitis;
5. Liver failure;
6. Pancreatic dystrophy (or replacement of its fatty tissue).

Halva should also not be consumed in advanced stages of obesity. This delicacy is high in calories.

Effects on the cardiovascular system

According to doctors, the use of halva in moderation carries the following benefits for the cardiovascular system :

1. Prevention of heart attack. This is facilitated by the presence of potassium, magnesium, manganese, and polyunsaturated acids in sunflower seeds.
2. Reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis , reduces the concentration of "harmful" cholesterol in the blood and cleanses the vessels . This effect is achieved due to the content of polyunsaturated acids in halva, including omega–6.
3. Comprehensively improves blood composition. Potassium, phosphorus, and B-group vitamins help in this. These trace elements are also used for the synthesis of shaped blood elements, i.e., erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes and plasma itself.
4. Stabilizes blood pressure. This is facilitated by a decrease in the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, improving the tone of the nourishing blood vessels .

How much and how often can I eat it?

In the absence of any contraindications, it is recommended to eat no more than 60 grams of halva per day, dividing this portion into 2 doses. That is, you should eat no more than 30 grams at a time .

Children from 6 to 14 years old and even less – up to 30 grams per day. For children under 6 years of age, it is better to abandon halva altogether because of the significant load from it on the digestive system.

What is the best way to eat halva? Traditionally, it is customary to eat it as a ready-made dish (moreover, it should be eaten with your hands, without using cutlery).

It goes well with unsweetened tea, milk, cocoa. Halva made from sesame seeds and pasta is not as sweet as from sunflower, and at the same time it is slightly bitter – it is better to eat it in combination with fruit juices or unsweetened compote.

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Conclusion

In total, halva is one of the most delicious remedies for improving blood sucking. It is enough to eat only 60 grams of treats per day to ensure a 50% daily intake of iron and some B-group vitamins. But it is worth remembering that not all iron consumed is absorbed – this indicator depends on the presence of sufficient vitamins and minerals in the body.