One of the ways you can tell if a product is good for you is if you can pronounce the ingredients. Unhealthy additives, preservatives, and flavorings often have names like Monosodium glutamate that are hard to say – and hard to swallow.
Our ingredients are pure, and we’re very proud of that.
But one ingredient that may cause you some pause is sunflower lecithin. Everyone knows what a sunflower is, but what is lecithin? And why is it in our cookies?
What is Lecithin?
Lecithin comes from the Greek lekithos, meaning egg yolk, and is a term used to describe yellow-brownish fatty substances that occur naturally in animal and plant tissues.
It is used in food to provide a smooth, moist texture and to keep ingredients from separating. Because we are committed to creating products that are cruelty-free, we use sunflower lecithin in our cookies (along with flaxseed) as a replacement for eggs. (No animals are harmed in the making of our cookies!)
How is Sunflower Lecithin Made?
Sunflower lecithin is made by dehydrating a sunflower and separating it into three parts: oil, gum, and solids. The lecithin comes from the gum. It is processed through a cold press system like the one used to make olive oil.
Sunflower Lecithin vs. Soy Lecithin
Most companies use soy lecithin in their products. But there are three big issues with using soy lecithin:
- Many people are allergic to soy.
- Most soy is genetically modified.
- Soy lecithin is often processed with chemicals.
Sunflower lecithin is the opposite. Most sunflower lecithin is organic, not genetically-modified, and is not processed with chemicals. It is also not considered a top allergen.
Because soy lecithin is cheaper, you will find it in the majority of commercial products. We have chosen to use sunflower lecithin, despite the added cost, as pure ingredients for our cookies is our number one priority.
Health Benefits of Sunflower Lecithin
Lecithin is essential to your body. Sunflower lecithin is rich in choline and other essential fatty acids such as phosphatidylinositol (say that three times fast!), and some people take it as a supplement.
Lecithin supplements have been shown to help with acne and improve liver function. Some also use it for improving cholesterol levels, arthritis, and high blood pressure.
So while soy lecithin is really just an empty additive, sunflower lecithin has positive health benefits while also holding our cookies together and keeping them soft and delicious! Are you ready to dive into some guilt-free, healthy cookies? We have a variety of delicious flavors to choose from including chocolate chocolate chunk, almond chocolate chunk, peanut butter chocolate chunk and more! Shop our full cookie collection today!
Save 5% off of your order by joining our cookie club. Have Maxine’s Heavenly cookies delivered right to your door on a weekly or monthly schedule to ensure you always have a healthy snack available.
