Sunflower seeds, which refer to the fruits of sunflowers, are often consumed as snacks due to their unique savory taste, roasted and eaten as a powder, or are often used as a main ingredient in confectionery, bread making, and cereals. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, plant sterols, selenium, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, and other beneficial nutrients for the body, it helps prevent adult diseases, removes free radicals and wastes, and can have a good effect on skin beauty. . Sunflower seed oil means that these sunflower seeds are extracted and made in the form of oil. Sunflower seed oil is characterized by its mild aroma and taste, and no odor peculiar to oil. And in the form of vegetable oil, it is used for cooking at high temperatures because it generates heat above 250℃. Sunflower seed oil contains all the key ingredients of sunflower seeds and is known to have a variety of beneficial effects on the body because it is known to have a higher vitamin content than other vegetable oils. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of consuming sunflower seed oil.
Main Benefits of Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil has a high content of phytosterol, folic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are plant sterols, and helps to increase HDL cholesterol, which is good cholesterol, which prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels and prevents the proliferation of bad cholesterol. In addition, sunflower seeds have a high content of vitamin E, an excellent antioxidant, which is effective in protecting blood vessels from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, and it is said to help prevent blood clots by inhibiting excessive aggregation of platelets.
Sunflower seed oil contains more vitamins A and E than other vegetable oils. Due to this high vitamin content, a good effect can be expected for moisturizing the skin, and it is said that it can also help to calm the skin. In addition, it is known to be effective even when used on oily skin caused by excessive sebum secretion. In addition, sunflower seed oil contains a natural skin barrier component, which helps to protect the skin and improve skin beauty.
In addition, the selenium, zinc, and vitamin E components contained in sunflower oil help improve the immune system with excellent immune active substances and help to strengthen the body’s resistance to protect the body from external antigens such as bacteria and viruses. In addition, blood sugar control, lowering of inflammation levels, and improvement of brain function are also reported to be the main health benefits obtained from proper intake of sunflower seed oil.
Side effects to watch out for when taking sunflower seed oil
Sunflower seed oil is rich in omega-6, a type of unsaturated fatty acid. Omega 6, like omega 3, is a fatty acid that has various beneficial effects on the body. However, excessive intake with an appropriate amount of intake promotes the formation of blood clots that harden the blood in the blood vessels, resulting in an increase in inflammation levels that cause various vascular diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce excessive intake and consume in moderation.
Also, for effective intake of sunflower seed oil, it is a good way to consume it with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids lower the viscosity of the blood to prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce inflammation levels. Omega 3 is divided into animal and vegetable. Animal sources are abundant in blue-green fish such as mackerel, herring and sardines, while vegetable sources are known to be abundant in nuts, flaxseed oil, and perilla oil. Also, please note that the ideal golden ratio is when you consume omega 3 and omega 6 in a ratio of 1:4.
Sunflower seed oil is known to have side effects depending on its smoke point. It has a smoke point of 250℃ or higher and is suitable for cooking such as frying or stir-frying. Other than that, sunflower seeds are high in fat and high in calories when consumed without oil.
