Benefits Of Sunflower Oils
There are many dieting myths out there which if randomly followed will only result in more harm than good. One such myth is removing all fat from your diet. Research has shown us that some amount of good fat is necessary in the diet as the absence of fat could lead to long term effects that could be quite severe.
While sunflower oil can be listed on the high fat items list, it surely is one of the most beneficial and useful oils that is available. Its high content of fat has kept it away from diets but its list of nutrients is so long that more and more people are now incorporating it. Sunflower oil is not only rich in monounsaturated fats but also in minerals and antioxidants.
Sunflower oil has many benefits. It contains monounsaturated fats that are great for the human body and better than saturated fats. Its rich composition makes it a good ingredient as an emollient. In preterm babies, using sunflower oil as a lotion acts as a protective barrier for these babies. Applying this oil on preterm babies or massaging them with sunflower oil helps reduce skin infections by nearly 14 per cent.
The oil is also beneficial for improved functioning of the cardiovascular system. It contains the essential fatty acids and high quantities of vitamin E which is required by the body. The prevention of conditions like colon cancer, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis are other benefits of sunflower oil.
Sunflower oil, along with castor oil, can be directly applied on your skin or on the face. Depending on your skin type, you need to change the proportion of castor oil and sunflower oil. Take a small quantity of this mix and massage into your skin. This mixture even acts as a great skin cleanser. You can also apply this oil as a moisturizer. The linoleic acid and the vitamin E in the oil help the skin to retain its elasticity and muscle tone. This oil is often used in creams and lotions due to its preferred place in skin care.
This oil is also excellent for cooking due to its low saturated fat levels. Sunflower oil is also high in vitamin E. Consuming it regularly can ensure you get your daily quota of vitamin E. It’s clean taste and low levels of trans fat often make it the oil of choice for frying. Consuming sunflower oil regularly and in excess can lead to health-related problems like obesity and diabetes so it should be consumed in restricted amounts. In small amounts, consumption of this oil has shown a reduction in cholesterol levels. Due to its composition, this oil has one of the longest shelf lives as it tends to be very stable. It is considered a better option over olive oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil or even canola oil.
Consumption of less than 2 tablespoons a day would do no harm but in case of higher consumption some of the potential sunflower oil side effects can be seen as under:
- It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids which can react with the body, oxidizing the blood and damaging the arteries thereby resulting in a stroke or heart disorder
- Excess consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids can also elevate blood pressure levels causing kidney failure and other serious complications
- Obesity, joint pain and non-insulin dependent diabetes can also be caused by excess consumption of sunflower oil
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