Sunflower oil facts

Sunflower oil provides the human body with numerous different types of health benefits. It is one of the best known types of cooking oil. It is jam packed with different nutrients and has a very mellow taste.

Types of sunflower oil

There are two basic types of sunflower oil and those are high oleic and linoleic. Linoleic sunflower oil contains polyunsaturated fats, while the high oleic sunflower oil contains plenty of monounsaturated acids. Saturated fats are known for resisting very high temperatures and they do not break down that easily. The blood flow transports them to various parts of the body where the fats get deposited. The deposition of saturated fats commonly leads to birth defects, joint pain, atherosclerosis, embolism and other serious diseases. Sunflower oil is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, which are known for providing energy and lowering the risk of various different types of cardiovascular diseases. These beneficial fats have much weaker chemical bonds than their saturated counterparts. This is why they have a very low melting point.

Health benefits

Sunflower oil is one of the best sources of various beneficial types of phytochemicals such as phenolic acid and choline. Phytochemicals are very efficient in preventing numerous different forms of heart diseases. Sunflower oil can also be used to lower the risk of various different types of infections. It is also very good for the overall health of the skin. Sunflower oil is an excellent source of antioxidants, mainly vitamin E. Antioxidants are very efficient in fighting off the free radicals, reducing the amount and severity of damage they cause inside the body and slowing down the process of aging. Vitamin E is also a very potent moisturizer and it is very beneficial because it helps the body cells to retain water. This is why sunflower is one of the most commonly used ingredients in numerous different types of cosmetic products.

Other health benefits of sunflower oil

Since sunflower oil is jam packed with vitamin E, it is also very efficient in preventing asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and various different types of cancer. It also contains plenty of vitamins from the B complex. Sunflower oil is also an excellent source of several other types of nutrients such as omega 6 fatty acids, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, proteins, selenium, carotenoids, tocopherols, lecithin, stearic acid and palmitic acid. These nutrients are very helpful in manufacturing the new cells, relaxing the brain, promoting sleep and preventing muscle cramps.