The sunflower oil is widely used in different industries may it be in the pharmaceutical, agriculture, food, healthcare, and beauty industry. There are ways on how the oil is extracted from the plant may it be in a hot-pressed or cold-pressed. For sunflowers, you can use both methods in extracting oil since it is heat and cold resistance. In this article, we’ll know more information about expeller-pressed and its efficiency in extracting sunflower oil.
What about Expeller Pressed oil?
When you say expeller pressed, the sunflower seed goes through mechanical extraction wherein its oil is extracted through the use of a screw press. This process is known as a traditional way of extracting oil without the use of any chemicals. The expeller pressing process involves high temperatures that is why it is not applicable for use in extracting oil to some products because high temperatures can make the oil go rancid or spoil.
For sunflowers, the use of an expeller pressed in extracting its oil is safe because the sunflower has properties that are great in all conditions whether in too high or too cold temperatures. However, big companies do not consider using the process of expeller pressed because it is much more expensive and in terms of efficiency, it doesn’t have the ability to extract oil fully, and it cannot be used for other oils since the oil can go rancid due to high temperatures.
Expeller-Expressed vs Cold Expressed
The expeller-expressed (hot expressed) and the cold expressed are both ways on how to extract oil. If you are to choose cooking oil, it is ideal to choose for expeller-expressed oil because it means that it can withstand hot temperatures. However, if you are after its healthy benefits, choose for the one that is cold expressed because this method of extraction has the ability to preserve its nutrients and minerals.
Types of Sunflower Oil
There are three types of sunflower oils which are the linoleic, mid oleic, and high oleic. These oils differ based on their composition and the level of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated properties.
● Linoleic Sunflower Oil
This is the most common type of sunflower oil that is used domestically. It is a polyunsaturated oil that has low saturated fat levels. Its outstanding feature is that it has a light taste and that it has a high Vitamin E content. The fat it contains is the linoleic acid which is a type of omega-6 acid.
The essential fatty acids that this oil contains is an essential nutrient that the body can’t produce that is why there should be a healthy food source to gain it. It is a healthy oil that is why this is a good option for cooking oil, dressing, and for baking.
● High Oleic Sunflower Oil
This sunflower oil consists primarily of 80% monounsaturated oleic acids and its polyunsaturated and saturated fats are in balanced proportions. It is also commonly used to prepared foods especially in food manufacturers because the oil’s properties make the food mixture remains stable without hydrogenation making it perfect for storing.
This oil doesn’t contain trans fat and there were studies conducted that it has the ability to lower down the bad cholesterol which is the LDL cholesterol while maintaining the HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol. Oleic acid is known to risk coronary heart disease. Whether it is exposed in cold or hot temperatures, it doesn’t have any alterations on its chemical composition.
● Mid-Oleic Sunflower Oil
This sunflower oil consists of both polyunsaturated linoleic acid at around 25 percent and saturated fat at 9%. Like the high oleic sunflower oil, it is less prone to breaking down or rancidity. It eliminates hydrogenation that may result in trans fat.
Is Sunflower Oil Bad For You?
In choosing for sunflower oil especially for consumption, the ideal oil should have low polyunsaturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fats. In this case, the high oleic sunflower oil is where you can benefit from its wide range of benefits. Nowadays, the use of sunflower oil is used more often in the food industry as well as in the beauty industry because of the loaded beneficial components it has.
Whether used externally or internally you can fully maximize its benefits when used correctly. When used in the right amount, it will not cause any side effects especially to the over health but like other products, when used incorrectly in high amounts, it may have a negative impact on the body.
In general, the use of sunflower oil is safe. If it is your first time using it, it is important to know if you are allergic to it. When used as a skin product, do a patch test and if you will consume it, make a research about the components that sunflower has. If you are allergic even in its one ingredient, it is ideal not to use it to avoid any harmful effects.
Sunflower Oil Benefits
The sunflower oil is a plant-based oil that is known to be cholesterol-free. It is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that are beneficial for the human body. Here is the list of the beneficial effects that you can gain from sunflower oil.
1. Promotes heart health
Monounsaturated fats are good for the heart. The fatty acid content that the sunflower offers balances both the good and bad cholesterol in the body. It doesn’t have saturated fats that cause cholesterol buildup. There is research conducted that high amounts of oleic acid may serve as a dietary fat that helps lessen the risk of heart disease.
It is said that a sunflower oil that only has a little amount of oleic acid is not beneficial at all. Another reason why sunflower is beneficial to the heart because it contains phytochemicals such as phenolic and choline acid that deals with heart problems.
2. Good for your skin
The sunflower oil has high amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin E that act as an antioxidant that is able to regenerate damaged skin cells beneficial for promoting skin health. The characteristic of the oil is light and non-greasy so when applied to the skin, it is easily absorbed without blocking the pores.
One of the usages of sunflower oil when used as a skincare regimen act as a moisturizer for treating sensitive and dry skin. It is great in dealing with inflammation of the skin such as acne, general redness, and irritations.
3. Energy booster
The unsaturated fats in sunflower oil have the ability to boost stamina that uplifts the spirit. When the compounds of this oil metabolize in the liver, the discharge of glycogen in the bloodstream is regularized for a quick energy booster.
4. Gives beautiful hair
Because of the sunflower oil’s light texture, it can be used as a conditioner that aims to soften dry and frizzy hair. You can use it by massaging your scalp and hair ends with this oil at least once a week. It is rich in gamma alpha-linolenic acid (GLA) that is known to prevent hair loss. Most hair care products in the market make use of this compound.
5. Strengthens your immune system
This oil is packed with antioxidants that have the ability to strengthen the cell membrane barriers. If the cell membranes are strong enough, viruses and bacteria will have a hard time entering the body to target the immunity. Its protein content also assists in building tissues and various enzymes to promote overall health and wellness.
6. Improves digestion
One of the reasons why digestive problems are experienced is because of the cooking oil used. When you use healthy cooking oil, the vitamins and minerals that are on the food will not be altered and that you can be sure that the flavor and aroma are enhanced. Its light characteristic is easily digested by the digestive tract, unlike other oils that transform into stored fats. It also acts as a mild laxative that helps those who have constipation.
Sunflower Oil Side Effects
Like the use of any other products, it should be taken in appropriate amounts for it to safe especially when ingested and applied to the skin. In general, it is safe to consume sunflower oil as a cooking oil or skincare regimen. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, there isn’t much information about its safeness when used that is why to sure just use it in minimal amounts or better yet stop its usage first. Those who have diabetes should also take extra caution in consuming sunflower oil because it can increase the insulin and blood sugar level quickly.
Final Thoughts
The way of extracting sunflower oil through the use of an expeller-pressed has both positive and negative effects. It is a safe way of extracting the oil because there are no chemicals involved but it is not that efficient and a bit pricey unlike other methods of obtaining the oil extracts. The
use of sunflower oil is a versatile oil that can be used internally for health and wellness and externally for enhancing bodily features.