Benefits and
Side Effects of Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower oil is non-volatile oil that is extracted from
sunflower seeds by the process of cold-press extraction.
Some health benefits of sunflower oil include its ability to
lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, help in weight loss, improve
hair health, enhance skin health and improve the immune system.
There are some precautions and warnings that should pay
attention to when consuming sunflower oil.
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| 10 Amazing health benefits of sunflower oil |
What are the Health Benefits of Sunflower Oil? Are There Safety Precautions and Warnings?
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is considered one of the vegetable oils that
are extracted from seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) by the process
of cold-press extraction. This technique requires a few steps and produces a
flavorful oil that is suitable for use in cooking. In addition to other
processes that can be used to extract large quantities of oil from it.
Although most people are familiar with sunflowers as a plant,
they do not immediately think of sunflowers as a source of healthy vegetable
oils, but sunflower oil can replace some of the less healthy cooking oils
on the market.
Sunflower oil contains a high amount of unsaturated fats and is often used to prepare different foods and dishes for its low saturated fat content.
Sunflower oil contains a high amount of unsaturated fats and is often used to prepare different foods and dishes for its low saturated fat content.
Sunflower oil is also considered an oil rich in Vitamin E,
which is useful for reducing the risk of dry skin, and various skin diseases
and disorders.
What are the Benefits of
Sunflower Oil?
Sunflower oil has a large number of benefits that help keep
the body healthy and strong.
Although sunflower oil is included in the list of high-fat
ingredients, it is gaining in popularity in cooking due to the wide variety of
nutrients that promote health.
The perfect balance of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fats makes sunflower oil ideal for lowering bad cholesterol levels, regulating
blood sugar, improving hair health, enhancing skin health, strengthening
the immune system and reducing many types of diseases and disorders. Hence,
many people use it in their diet.
Read also:
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| What are the health benefits of sunflower oil? |
10 Amazing Health Benefits of Sunflower Oil
Sunflower
oil has many health benefits, the most important of which are:
1. Sunflower oil reduces
cholesterol levels
Numerous
studies indicate that the benefits of sunflower oil on cholesterol levels are
good, as it is able to lower its levels.
Sunflower
seeds contain a compound called phytosterol, which is similar in structure to
cholesterol, and thus helps to resist the absorption of cholesterol into the
bloodstream. Sunflower oil has an estimated average phytosterol content of
4436 mg kg-1.
2. Reduces the risk of
heart disease:
Sunflower
oil contains large quantities of oleic acid. So, eating sunflower oil in place
of other fat sources that contain a high amount of saturated fat may help
reduce the risk of heart disease.
It should be
noted that sunflower oil that does not contain large amounts of oleic acid does
not have the same effect.
3. Provides Skincare
Sunflower
oil is rich in vitamin E, which is an important vitamin in improving skin
health and restoring damaged cells.
Using sunflower
oil means your skin is better protected against sun damage, as well as the natural deterioration that occurs with age.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E neutralize free radicals and prevent them from destroying or damaging healthy cells and add a natural glow to your skin.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E neutralize free radicals and prevent them from destroying or damaging healthy cells and add a natural glow to your skin.
Apply a
quantity of sunflower oil to the skin and leave it for a quarter of an hour,
then wash the face, and repeat the process for three weeks.
Some people
use sunflower oil to treat scarring, heal wounds faster.
The
impressive benefits of sunflower oil for your skin include:
- Sunflower oil delays the signs of aging from wrinkles, cracks, etc. because it contains beta-carotene that resists wrinkles.
- It nourishes the skin and maintains its health and safety.
- Removes dark spots and pigmentation and unifies the skin color.
- Relieves acne, scars and unwanted pimples.
- Protects the skin from harmful sun rays due to its high vitamin E content.
- Maintains the smoothness of the skin and helps it to retain its moisture for the longest possible period, and gives it freshness and vitality.
Sunflower
oil is used in the manufacture of skin care products and creams, especially
anti-aging creams and skin moisturizers, and sun protection face creams.
4. Provides hair care
Sunflower
oil is also rich in oleic acid, which is very beneficial to the scalp and hair.
This vitamin increases blood circulation on the scalp, stimulates hair growth,
and can also help keep hair shiny, so it is often used in hair care recipes.
The most
important benefits of sunflower oil for your hair health include:
- Sunflower oil contributes to smoothing and softening hair, especially dry and frizzy hair.
- It has the power to give hair a great sheen and vitality.
- It has the ability to protect against alopecia areata which causes hair loss in the form of round spots on the head.
- It is a good moisturizer because it prevents water from being lost, which prevents dehydration of the scalp.
Sunflower
oil is sometimes used as a treatment because it contains alpha-gamma-linolenic
acid, which prevents hair loss. It can be used once a week by massaging the
scalp with it to obtain fine and silky hair.
Sunflower
oil is a light oil on the hair and does not smell at normal temperatures, so it
can be used at hair as an essential oil.
5. Helps in losing weight
Sunflower
oil is used as a good option for people trying to lose weight as it contains
omega-6 fatty acids that help the body burn fat, rather than store it.
This property makes sunflower oil of high value compared to other vegetable oils
used for cooking and can be used by people who are obese to lose weight without
having to make any changes to their diet.
6. Enhances body energy levels
The content
of fatty acids in sunflower oil is associated with energy levels in the body.
Saturated
fats can make you feel sluggish, while unsaturated fats, which are contained in
sunflower oil, can provide you with vitality and saturation for a longer
period.
7. Reduces inflammation
One of the
most important benefits of sunflower oil is to relieve asthma attacks due to
its anti-inflammatory properties, which are derived from its vitamin content,
as well as the beneficial fatty acids it contains.
It is worth
noting that asthma affects millions of people around the world, and this respiratory state can range from mild to life-threatening.
8. Protects the body from infections
Sunflower
oil contains the proteins necessary for building and repairing tissues and
producing hormones and enzymes.
Fatty acids
have a major effect on the general immune system and increase the body's
ability to resist infection attacks.
Sunflower
oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which protect the skin by
strengthening the cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane (PM), making
it difficult for bacteria and viruses to enter the body.
9. Improves digestive system
Healthy
Cooking Oil is an oil-rich in monounsaturated fat (MUFA).
Sunflower
oil is high in polyunsaturated fat (69%) among cooking oils it has some monounsaturated
fat (20%) and it is low in saturated fat (11%), that's why it is very light in
color, neutral in flavor, easy to digest and better absorbed in the digestive
system. It also has mild laxative properties that may help prevent
constipation.
10. Helps in the prevention
of cancers
As
mentioned, sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants and substances that act as
antioxidants.
The vitamin
E contained in sunflower oil contains a group of compounds known as tocopherol,
which is one of the powerful antioxidants that can eliminate free radicals
before they can convert healthy cells into cancerous cells.
There are
some ongoing research studies to check its effects on a variety of cancers.
Are There Safety
Precautions and Warnings?
Side Effects
of Sunflower Oil: There are some concerns and warnings that should pay
attention to when consuming sunflower oil, including the following:
Pregnant
and breastfeeding women: There is not enough information about the safety of sunflower oil in
large quantities more than those present in food by pregnant and breastfeeding
women, so it is best to stay away from consuming it in large quantities during
these periods.
People
who are allergic to herbaceous or ragweed: Consuming sunflower oil can cause an allergic reaction
to people who are allergic to Asteraceae/Compositae plant family, such as:
ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemum, marigold, and other types, so it is best to
see a doctor before taking it if you suffer from allergic reactions.
People
with diabetes (Diabetics): Eating a diet rich in sunflower oil can increase the level of insulin
and blood sugar, and raise the levels of blood lipids (or blood fats) after
eating meals, which increases the risk of atherosclerosis in people with type 2
diabetes.
Read also: Amazing Benefits of Green Tea Oil for Your Health and Beauty
Read also: Amazing Benefits of Green Tea Oil for Your Health and Beauty