Sunflower Oil Benefits, Harms and Uses
Among the elements that flavor the food, the place of the oil and spices used is very important. The type and quality of the preferred oil will affect the taste of the food. It is the cooking oils that make the onion pink and affect the tomato paste to leave its taste. When we say corn oil, olive oil, hazelnut oil, canola oil, we often see sunflower oil in kitchens.
Sunflowers are a productive and fertile plant that takes place in all areas of our lives. Sunflowers, which are grown intensively in the Thrace Region and Marmara, return to our tea pleasures as seeds and to our meals as oil. Thanks to the sunflower cultivation in these regions, a large part of the oil need in the country is met.
In this article about sunflower oil, you will witness the story of the sunflower coming from the field to our table. Since it is also an oil of vegetable origin, you will use this oil more consciously when you hear its benefits. Here are the things that are curious about the sunflower oil that flavors your meals and what you need to know…
Sunflower Oil and Properties
Today, 20% of the oils used for food are obtained from animals and 80% from plants. Vegetable oils also consist of specially grown and controlled field crops. One of these plants is the sunflower. The feature of the oil obtained from sunflower can be expressed as follows:
Sunflower oil is a vegetable-derived oil obtained from the sunflower plant, the oil content of which varies between 40% and 45%. It is obtained from the seeds of this plant. Sunflower oil, which has an important place in our country and in the world, is generally preferred as edible.
It is used in kitchens in liquid form and as a raw material of margarine. It is a type of refined oil with a light yellow color. Since the edible oils obtained from the sunflower plant are more beneficial for health, the demand for this oil is also quite high. Stem parts of the sunflower plant are also used as fuel in rural areas and factories. Sunflowers are a useful plant from seed to stem. Since it is preferred in some of the cosmetic products, we can say that the usage area of sunflower oil is quite wide.
There is a subject that leaves a question mark in mind. “How to spell sunflower oil?” “Sunflower”, which is a combination of two words, is written together in the guide prepared by the Turkish Language Association. Separate spelling is misuse. The correct spelling should be “sunflower”. Another question mark following this subject is “Does sunflower oil freeze?” will be. Oil can freeze at 0 to -6 degrees.
How is Sunflower Oil Obtained?
The sunflower plant has adapted to the climate in the Marmara and Thrace Regions. Since the yield is high in these regions, sunflower oil factories and sunflower oil production are high. It is known that sunflower production in the world in recent years is more than 23 million. Turkey is among the top 10 countries producing sunflower oil. Russia, Ukraine and Argentina draw attention among the sunflower oil producing countries. These countries have a 53% share in world production.
The seeds of the plant go through pressing and extraction processes and after refining, they become oil. The seeds are washed and cleaned of dust before processing. Then the free fatty acids in the crude oil are purified.
The bleaching process is carried out by vacuuming method. With the steam process, the smell of the plant is removed and the flavor and oil smell are obtained. The oils go through the filtering process and become clearer. The oils that pass through these processes are kept in tin cans. The pending sunflower oils are sent to various points to be sold in the market.
The prices of sunflower oil, which is used for all purposes in the food industry, may vary between companies. The price of 1 liter of sunflower oil can start from 7 TL and reach up to 15 TL. The price differences between the years are due to the changing climatic conditions and drought every year. Changing seasonal conditions affect the production amount and price.
Sunflower Oil Calories and Nutritional Value
Sunflower oil is an oil with high nutritional value. It contains 15% saturated and 85% unsaturated fat. It contains high protein. Remaining part of oil production is used as pulp. It is also very valuable in terms of vitamin E. It does not contain dietary cholesterol. It also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The calorie amount of 1 gram of sunflower oil is known as 9 kcal.
What Are the Benefits of Sunflower Oil?
- Since sunflower oil is used instead of lard and animal fats in meals, it also lowers bad cholesterol. It contains vitamins A, D, E, K. These are the vitamins that every person should take.
- Since it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, it has positive effects for brain development.
- It is a healthy fat choice that regulates blood pressure, blood circulation and cholesterol. It is also a type of oil that relieves asthma patients. It has the feature of minimizing the effect of asthma attacks.
- It is also among the benefits of sunflower oil that it meets the need for insulin in diabetics.
- Compared to animal fats, it has a stronger effect on metabolism.
- Because it contains omega-3, it eliminates the risk of infection in the body and ensures the regeneration of cells. It is preferred in cosmetic products because it regenerates cells.
- Thanks to vitamin E, it strengthens the immune system and prevents the risk of heart diseases. It is considered an antioxidant for the body.
What Are the Harms of Sunflower Oil?
Excessive consumption of vegetable and animal oils will cause discomfort in the person. We can state the harms of sunflower oil, which is indispensable for kitchens and indispensable for meals, as follows:
- It should be used once when preferred for frying. Oil that is heated and waiting more than once poses a health hazard. It poses a cancer risk.
- Excessive consumption causes acne and oiliness in people. If you do not want to see the harm in terms of health, it is recommended to add enough amount to the meals and use it. Excessive consumption can also cause congestion in the veins. This situation also prepares room for heart diseases.
- In women, excessive consumption of sunflower oil during menopause poses a risk of breast cancer. In men, it carries the risk of prostate cancer. In order to prevent a possible disease, it is necessary to be moderate in use.
Use of Sunflower Oil
Experts disagree on sunflower oil and olive oil. Some doctors, on the other hand, state that consuming a minimum of every type of oil will not cause any harm.
Sunflower oil is generally preferred in cooking. It is easily used in meat and vegetable dishes. It is also consumed in salads and salad dressings because it is light. It is also suitable for soup sauces to flavor your soups. The most used type of food is fried food. You can easily use it when frying vegetables, dough and meatballs, as it is resistant to high heat.
Sunflower oil, which is also used to heal mouth sores, is produced by cold pressing method. It is applied by keeping it in the mouth for a few minutes. You should not swallow this oil, which is preferred for treatment. It is known to be good for insomnia and headaches when preferred as a mouthwash. It is used in the field of cleaning and cosmetics as well as being preferred in the field of food and health. It is preferred as an additive in the content of some soaps.
Does Sunflower Oil Degrade?
All foods exposed to the sun are likely to spoil. In order for your sunflower oil to last longer, it is recommended to store it in a dark colored glass bottle. Sunflower oil can be stored in a cool place for longevity and not to lose its flavor. Oils that are heated and used more than once are likely to deteriorate in a short time. Deteriorated oils will adversely affect your stomach and intestines.
