Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil compressed from the seeds of this oil (Helianthus annuus). This oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and its cosmetics formulations as an emollient. The world’s total production of this oil in 2014 was nearly 16 million Tonnes, with Ukraine and Russia as the largest producers.

This seed oil is a monounsaturated (MUFA)/polyunsaturated (PUFA) mixture of mostly oleic acid (omega-9)-linoleic acid (omega-6) group of oils. The oil content of the seed ranges from 22% to 36% (average, 28%): the kernel contains 45–55% oil. The expressed oil is of light amber color with a mild and pleasant flavor; refined oil is pale yellow. Refining losses are low and the oil has good keeping qualities with light tendency for flavor reversion. The oil contains appreciable quantities of vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and other aliphatic hydrocarbons.

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Nutritional Facts of Sunflower Oil

Health Benefits of Sunflower Oil

Cardiovascular Benefits

Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin E and low in saturated fat. Besides, it is rich in certain phytochemicals like choline and phenolic acid that are beneficial for your heart. It also contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats along with vitamins that makes it one of the healthiest oils for consumption. High oleic sunflower oils contain 80% or more monounsaturated fats. Thus, this oil helps in lowering cardiovascular diseases and chance of heart attack.

Prevents Arthritis

This seed oil is the ultimate solution for those having worries about developing arthritis. This oil helps in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.

Prevention of Asthma And Colon Cancer

This oil contains more Vitamin E than any other cooking oil. Thus, incorporating this oil in your diet provides you protection against cancer and colon cancer.

Prevention Of Other Cancers

The carotenoids found in this oil help in the prevention of uterine, lung and skin cancers. In addition, they provide a good source of vitamin C and aid in preventing cataracts.

Lowers Cholesterol

The saturated fats found in other oils are difficult to break down completely during metabolism. Consequently, they are carried to different parts of the body by the blood and get deposited, thus increasing the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels. This causes health problems like embolism, atherosclerosis, joint pains and birth defects.

This oil is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which provide energy besides maintaining an ideal LDL/HDL (good cholesterol) ratio in the body. This oil also contains lecithin which helps in lowering the cholesterol levels. This is because it sticks to your nerve and cell linings, thus preventing fat and cholesterol from sticking to the cell.

Repairs The Body

This oil also contains proteins, which are vital for building and repairing tissues and the production of hormones and enzymes. Our body requires high amounts of proteins. Since the body does not store proteins, they have to be consumed, and this oil fulfils this requirement.

Prevention Of Infant Infection

This oil is useful in reducing the risk of infection in pre-term infants having low birth weight. The infants are more likely to suffer from infections because of underdeveloped immune system and organs such as the skin. This oil acts as a protective barrier and prevents such infection.

Healthy Nervous System

The Vitamin B content of this oil promotes a healthy nervous system, proper digestion and is a great source of energy.

Reduction Of Cardiac Problems

This oil contains selenium that is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiac problems and hepatic degradation. A high level of selenium in your blood is also instrumental in reducing the risk of lung and skin cancers.

Effective Moisturizing Agent

Due to its emollient properties, this oil helps the skin retain its moisture. Using this oil as a lotion on the skin of pre-term infants acts as a protective barrier and massaging them with this oil helps in reducing skin infection by nearly 14 percent. Hence, this oil can be used in their daily skincare.

Improves Skin Health

This oil is extremely high in vitamin E in comparison to other skincare products like almond oil or shea butter. Vitamin E is essential for preventing damage to the skin cells by the ultraviolet light or UVA from the sun. Vitamin E improves the appearance and health of your skin by preventing scarring and smoothing of existing wrinkles.

Sunflower Oil For Acne

This oil is also rich in vitamins A, C and D and healthy carotenoids and waxes which form a protective barrier on the skin. Thus, this oil is effective in the treatment of acne. Being exceptionally light and non-greasy, it gets absorbed into the skin easily, without clogging or blocking the pores. Its range of vitamins and fatty acids act as antioxidants to regenerate the skin cells and help the skin get rid of acne causing bacteria.

Rich in Beta-Carotene

Beta-carotene is a richly pigmented, fat-soluble compound that can be converted into vitamin A and its antioxidant properties are beneficial for the appearance of your health and skin. This oil is an excellent source of beta-carotene. Consumption of this compound makes your skin less sensitive to the sun. The antioxidants in it neutralize the free radicals that penetrate your skin, causing sunburn and other types of sun damage such as a skin cancer.

Reduces Premature Signs Of Aging

The antioxidant properties of this oil help in preventing premature signs of aging. The exposure to free radicals and sunlight increases the rate of aging of skin, causing the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines at an early age. The antioxidants in this oil lower the risk of developing premature signs of aging.

Treats Dry Skin

Being naturally emollient, this oil improves your skin’s moisture retention capacity and is beneficial for individuals with dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin. A mixture of sunflower and castor oil is effective in making your skin supple and removing dead cells and impurities. This mixture can be used a s a cleaner and there is no need to use a moisturizer as the oils contain fatty acids and vitamins to moisturize your skin.

Treats Skin Conditions

It seed oil is an oil of a fine quality as it is light in texture and extremely suitable for eye and skin care. It is suitable for normal to dry skin and is increasingly used in aromatherapy because of its mild scent and light texture. It is used in skin products and creates a soft feel on the skin.

Controls Frizzy Hair

Due to its light texture and mild flavor, this oil softens the hair and adds a delightful sheen to it.  This seed oil helps to control frizz, tackles dryness and damage and makes your hair manageable. This versatile oil maintains your hair’s luster and texture and can be used as a natural conditioner. This oil can be applied and massaged on your scalp before a bath once a week for maximum benefits.

Conditions Hair

Being extremely light, this oil helps in conditioning greasy hair. It nourishes the hair and prevents breakage.

Prevents Thinning Of Hair

This oil is an important source of gamma alpha linolenic acid (GLA) which helps in preventing thinning of hair. It is effective in the treatment of hair loss, baldness and alopecia areata, characterized by round patches of lost hair.