Sunflower oil is non-volatile oil. Sunflower oil can be obtained from the seed of sunflower. It can be used by most people because it is extremely healthy vegetable oil and it is also cheaper than other oil.
Sunflower oil can be used for cooking, for medicine preparation, for cosmetic purposes, etc because of its many health benefits. Sunflower is grown all over the world but the main producers of sunflower oil are Russia, Ukraine and Argentina.
Sunflower has many health benefits such as, provide good heart health, keep the healthy cardiovascular system, boost up the immunity, energy booster, improve skin health, provide hair health, lower the cholesterol level, protect against infection, cancer-curing capacity, etc.
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
The sunflower was cultivated by American Indian tribes circa 3,000 B.C. Tribes used parts of the sunflower plant to help soothe snakebites and to condition the skin and hair.
Health Benefits
Skin care
Sunflower oil is the richest source of vitamin E. vitamin E is a good antioxidant. Vitamin E in sunflower oil can helps trap moisture inside skin cells, keeping skin hydrated for a longer period.
Sunflower oil is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a fat-soluble compound that can be converted into Vitamin A. Vitamin A in sunflower oil can prevent acne.
Sunflower oil also contains fatty acid with vitamins. Some fatty acid in sunflower oil acts as antioxidants and help in regenerate new skin cells and protect from skin damage. Sunflower oil can prevent premature signs of aging. Sunflower oil also reduces the risk of inflammation such as fungal infection like Athlete's foot, eczema, etc.
MAIN THING: Sunflower oil can provide moisture to the skin, remove dry skin, remove dead skin, hydrate the skin, remove the impurities, provides smooth and shiny skin.
Lower the cholesterol and keep Heart Healthy
Like all other oils, sunflower oil also rich in fatty acid. Sunflower oil has an excessive amount of better fats like omega 6 fatty acid and omega 3 fatty acid. These both increase the level of good cholesterol or HDL in the blood. HDL can reduce the risk of heart diseases by decrease the level of bad cholesterol or LDL.
Sunflower oil has choline, phenolic acid, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. These all are helpful to prevent cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, plaque, blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, embolism, etc.
One of study conducted on Sunflower oil that lowers cholesterol levels and increases the good cholesterol HDL levels, which reduce the risk of heart disease
MAIN THING: Saturated fat in sunflower oil can help in balancing the cholesterol level in the body which reduce risk of heart diseases.
Boost up the Immune system
Sunflower oil is rich in fatty acids such as monounsaturated fatty acids or polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are great to work on the immune system and boost up the power of immunity.
Sunflower oil is also rich in vitamin E, it act as powerful antioxidant. It increases the power of the defense mechanism and gives protection against infection. So sunflower oil can provides protection to the body by increasing the power of the immune system.
MAIN THING: Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E, which directly connected to boosting your immune system.
Cancer
Sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants. Vitamin E is a good antioxidant that presents in sunflower oil. Tocopherols are a compound of vitamin E. It can eliminate free radicals from the body before it can mutate with healthy cells into cancerous cells. Free radicals are the main cause of cancer.
Free radicals can increase oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress in cells can reduce the oxygen supply to the cells. These caused cells can damage or died. So remove of free radicals can reduce the risk of cancer.
There are a number of ongoing research studies to verify its effects on a wider variety of cancers – stay tuned for upcoming research on the subject.
MAIN THING: Antioxidants found in sunflower oil help to prevent cancer but further research need to prove sunflower oil’s chemopreventive properties.
Anti-inflammatory property
Sunflower oil can provide protection against viral infections such as cough, cold, upper respiratory tract infection and asthma too. It also provides protection against skin infection by improving skin permeability. It does not permit the entry of bacteria or virus to the skin. It also protects against fungal infections like athlete's foot or eczema.
A study showed a impact between the reduction of respiratory conditions and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sunflower oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, can trigger the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body.
MAIN THING: Sunflower oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. These both are work as anti-inflammatory substances. It gives protection against viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection etc.
Safety Profiles
Diabetes: Sunflower oil can increase blood sugar levels. So if anyone suffering from diabetes do not over-consume of sunflower oil.
Allergy: Selenium present in sunflower oil. Some people have an allergy to the selenium and it can produce an allergic reaction. So if anyone has an allergy to the selenium do not consume without the guidance of medical practitioners.
Selection and Storage
Selection
Select the oil that can full of nutrients. During choosing of oil also look for the color of oil, the odor of oil and the quality of oil as well as content present in the oil.
Always buy oil at the supermarket where the good and fresh quality is available.
Storage
Store the oil in a clean, dry and airtight container. Keep in a cool and dry place away from humid weather.