Sunflower Oil

October 2, 2020

Overview

Sunflower oil is pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. In foods, sunflower oil is used as a cooking oil. Sunflower oil is also used as medicine.

Sunflower oil is most commonly used for high cholesterol and preventing heart disease.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Oil pressed from Sunflower seeds

Primary Functions:

High cholesterol, heart disease

Also Known As:

Aceite de Girasol, Adityabhakta, Corona Solis, Fleurs de Soleil, Grand Soleil

How Does It Work?

Sunflower oil is used as a source of unsaturated fat in the diet to replace saturated fats.

Uses

Heart disease. There is some evidence that using sunflower oil that contains high amounts of oleic acid in place of dietary fats with higher amounts of saturated fat might reduce the risk of heart disease. The suggested amount of high-oleic acid sunflower oil is about 20 grams (1.5 tbsp) per day in place of other fats and oils. Sunflower oil that contains lower amounts of oleic acid does not seem to be beneficial.
High cholesterol. Most research shows that including sunflower oil in the diet lowers total cholesterol and "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. However, consuming sunflower oil may be less effective at reducing cholesterol compared to palm oil and flaxseed oil. Further, sunflower oil might not be effective for lowering cholesterol in people with peripheral vascular disease or those at risk for atherosclerosis.
Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis). Some research suggests that applying a specific brand of sunflower oil (Oleozon) to the foot for 6 weeks is as effective as the drug ketoconazole for curing athlete's foot.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

For heart disease: For reducing the risk of heart disease, using about 20 grams (1.5 tbsp) of high-oleic acid sunflower oil per day in place of other fats and oils with higher amounts of saturated fat might help.
For high cholesterol: Sunflower oil at levels of approximately 45-50 grams daily for up to 12 weeks have been used. Diets containing specific brands of mid-oleic acid (NuSun) or high-oleic acid (Sunola, Meadow Lea Foods, Mascot, Australia) providing approximately 15% to 20% of dietary calories for up to 5 weeks have been used.

ON THE SKIN:

For athlete's foot (Tinea pedis): A specific brand of sunflower oil (Oleozon) has been applied twice daily for 6 weeks.

Sunflower Oil Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Why sunflower oil is bad for you?

High oleic sunflower oil is thought to provide some benefits for heart health. However, sunflower oil has been shown to release toxic compounds when heated to higher temperatures over time. Some varieties are also high in omega-6 and may contribute to inflammation in the body when consumed in excess.

What can sunflower oil be used for?

In foods, sunflower oil is used as a cooking oil. Sunflower oil is also used as medicine. Sunflower oil is most commonly used for high cholesterol and preventing heart disease.

Is sunflower oil good for your body?

Sunflower oil contains more than 80% of monounsaturated fats which makes it good for your heart. The impressive fatty acid content in sunflower oil helps in maintaining a balance in your body. Furthermore, it does not contain any saturated fats which help in controlling the cholesterol levels in your body.

Is it OK to put sunflower oil on your face?

Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic carrier oil which is highly absorbent, and won't clog pores. It's non-irritating for most people, and can be used on all types of skin, including dry, normal, oily, and acne-prone.

Is sunflower oil inflammatory?

The vegetable oils made this way include corn, safflower, sunflower, canola (also known as rapeseed), peanut, sesame and soybean oils. In addition to being highly processed, these oils promote inflammation as a result of their very high omega-6 fatty acid content.

Is sunflower oil bad for cholesterol?

Some studies suggest that consuming high oleic sunflower oil, especially in place of saturated fats, may help reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and raising HDL (good) cholesterol.

Is sunflower oil good for heart?

Sunflower oil contains more than 80% of monounsaturated fats which makes it heart-friendly. It has a very high smoke point which is why it is mostly used for frying.

Is sunflower oil bad for diabetes?

Diabetes: A diet that is high in sunflower oil seems to increase fasting insulin and blood sugar levels. It also seems to increase after-meal blood fats. This might increase the chance of developing "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Is sunflower oil bad for your skin?

Sunflower oil is non-irritating, and typically safe for most skin types. Test first if you have seed or nut allergies. If you are allergic to sunflower seeds, you may be able to consume highly refined versions of sunflower oil.

Is sunflower oil healthier than olive oil?

As such, extra virgin olive oil is best in dressings, spreads and marinades, while regular olive oil works better for general cooking and sautéing. Sunflower oil also contains no saturated fat, but has a relatively low smoke point.

Is sunflower cooking oil good for skin?

Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E which help in promoting skin health. These vitamins act as antioxidants. The oil is light and non-greasy and thus, it gets absorbed in the skin easily without blocking the pores. Sunflower oil also acts as a natural moisturizer and helps in treating dry, sensitive skin.

Will sunflower oil clog pores?

Is sunflower oil good for your lips?

Our favorite products for healthy lips are:

Contains an exclusive antioxidant blend of vitamins A, C, E and green tea extract. Sunflower seed oil helps skin retain moisture, helps with skin regeneration, contains Vitamins A, B, D and E, and omega 9 fatty acids.

What does sunflower oil do for your skin?

Sunflower seed oil moisturizes your skin. Due to its rich vitamin E content, Sunflower seed oil has emollient properties that help the skin retain its moisture. Vitamin E helps trap moisture inside skin cells, keeping skin hydrated for a longer period. This is good news for people with eczema.

Is sunflower oil hard to digest?

A healthy cooking oil is one that is rich in monounsaturated fats (MUFAs). Sunflower oil is extremely light, easy to digest and better absorbed in your digestive tract. Sunflower oil also has mild laxative properties which can help prevent constipation.

Does sunflower oil raise cholesterol?

Conclusion: Dietary fats in the form of canola oil or sunflower oil effectively lower the serum cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations. They also result in an increase in serum concentration of HDL-C. These oils, however, did not modify general anthropometric parameters.

Is sunflower oil healthy for frying?

Sunflower oil contains high levels of omega-6, however. Consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids can cause inflammation in the body. As a result, it may be best to use sunflower oil in moderation. Canola oil is another oil with a high smoke point, making it suitable for shallow frying.

Can you be allergic to sunflower oil?

Allergic reactions to seeds can be severe. Sesame, sunflower and poppy seeds have been known to cause anaphylaxis. The number of people affected by seed allergy is unknown. Some seed oils are highly refined, a process that removes the allergy-causing proteins from the oil.

Is sunflower oil better than vegetable?

Oils that contain lower levels of linoleic acid, such as olive and canola oil, are better for frying. Polyunsaturated oils, such as corn, sunflower, and safflower, are best for using in dressings rather than cooking with.

Is sunflower butter good for you?

SunButter sunflower butter is naturally good for you. They contain one-third less saturated fat than most peanut butter. SunButter also has the same amount of protein, more vitamin E, and no trans fats when compared to leading brands of peanut and tree nut spreads. SunButter is also high in iron, phosphorus, and zinc!

Is sunflower oil good for wrinkles?

Sunflower Oil is emollient and doesn't clog pores, which makes it great for locking in moisture to relieve dry skin and hair. Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, help protect skin from UV damage which can cause premature aging, scars, fine lines and wrinkles.

Is sunflower oil good for dry hair?

The fat and antioxidants in sunflower oil make it a good option for dry, dull hair. Some studies show that coconut oil is better for treating damaged hair.

Is sunflower oil a laxative?

Improves digestion

As sunflower oil is extremely light, it is better absorbed in your digestive tract than many other oils. It also acts as a mild laxative, which can help with constipation.

Is sunflower oil and sunflower seed oil the same?

Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil pressed from the seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Sunflower oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and in cosmetic formulations as an emollient. The expressed oil has light amber color with a mild flavor. The oil contains a rich content of vitamin E.