Flora Pure Sunflower Oil with Vitamin E, 1L

Product Information

The high-linoleic type of sunflower oil is the type which is considered ‘volatile’, ‘unstable’ and unsuitable for cooking. If you want to use sunflower oil for deep frying, be aware that it’s only high-oleic sunflower oil that is suitable for high heat cooking. 16 However, polyunsaturated fats (such as those found in sunflower oil) become oxidised when heated, giving off free radicals which are harmful to health. 14 Sunflower oil contains both types of unsaturated fat – monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. 8 It’s low in saturated fat at around 15%, and high in polyunsaturated fats which could have protective effects on cardiovascular health. 25

It’s worth bearing in mind that sunflower oil usually does contain some saturated fat, in the form of stearic acid. However, stearic acid is the only saturated fat which doesn’t raise LDL cholesterol. 6 Impressively, the unsaturated fats in sunflower oil have shown to reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol after being included in the diet for six months. 5This could be beneficial in helping to protect you from cardiovascular disease. You can use sunflower oil as a moisturising treatment on both the face and body. Apply after bathing or showering for best results. Can you use sunflower oil for hair? Pros: Soybean oil contains a little vitamin E, with 8g per 100g. It’s very high in vitamin K, with 183mcg per 100g. 24

Is sunflower oil good for health?

Sunflower oil is rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, comprising the omega 3 oleic acid and omega 6 linoleic acid which is anti-inflammatory and can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. 17 For an all-over nourishing hair mask which will impart shine and treat a dry scalp, use gently warmed sunflower oil (a few seconds in the microwave is all it takes) and massage from roots to ends. Cover with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes before shampooing out. Summary

Pros: Sesame oil contains 13.6g vitamin K per 100g and is low in saturated fat at around 14%. 30 It’s shown in study to be useful in helping to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and inflammation thanks to its polyunsaturated fat content. 31 Cons: With a high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fats, soybean oil should be used sparingly in favour of higher omega 3 oils like olive and high-oleic sunflower oils. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can be good choices to help you cut down on saturated fats in your diet. Remember, too much saturated fat can elevate your levels of LDL (or ‘bad’) cholesterol. 9 Pros: With 41g of vitamin E per 100g, sunflower oil has twice as much of this antioxidant as olive oil. Pros: Peanut oil contains around 15.6g of vitamin E per 100g. 33 It’s low to medium in saturated fat with around 17g per 100g, as well as containing LDL (bad) cholesterol-reducing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. 34The reality is a little more complicated. Sunflower oil can be a healthy choice – but there are a few things to bear in mind. What is sunflower oil? Sunflower oil calories are high as is typical of any oil – at 124kcal per tablespoon, so you shouldn’t have too much, or it can cause weight gain. 7 Sunflower oil is made from pressing sunflower seeds – harvested from the sunflower plant helianthus annuus– to extract their oil. 1 These days, there are so many oils to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an oil to use in your cooking, skin or haircare routine, or for your family’s general use, there’s never been more options. Is sunflower oil good for you? Nutrients in sunflower oil include a high level of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can help protect cells from oxidative damage. Oxidative damage can lead to various diseases, as well as premature ageing. 3