Separate myths from details and uncover the advantages of U.S.-grown sunflower oil

Meals producers face powerful decisions in making certain product formulations sustain with the newest client traits and meals science. These selections are extra difficult when misinformation turns into the flavour of the day and it’s laborious to separate myths from details.

With a lot (mis)data circulating, it’s a good time to evaluate the professional consensus round sunflower oil. Right here we dispel 4 myths and reveal the quite a few advantages of U.S.-grown sunflower oil for meals improvements.

Fantasy #1 – Sunflower oil could cause irritation

There was ongoing dialogue linking vegetable oils – and seed oils specifically – to the promotion of irritation within the physique. That is largely associated to the presence of omega-6 fatty acids, a sort of polyunsaturated fats, in these oils. Research present that omega-6 fat in sunflower oil don’t contribute to irritation and don’t have any influence on markers of irritation.^1,2,3,4 The American Coronary heart Affiliation helps the inclusion of omega-6 fatty acids as a part of a nutritious diet.⁵

Fantasy #2 – Sunflower oil has restricted dietary worth

Sunflower oil has many well being advantages as a result of it’s low in saturated fats and excessive in monounsaturated fatty acids. Excessive oleic sunflower oil, specifically, has a excessive (82%) focus of monounsaturated fats, which has been proven to assist cut back LDL ldl cholesterol.^6,7 Sunflower oil can also be a wonderful supply of vitamin E which comprises excessive ranges of alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant which defend cells from harm.^8,9

Fantasy #3 – Sunflower oil isn’t heart-healthy

Monounsaturated fat, comparable to these present in excessive oleic sunflower oil, are good for coronary heart well being. The Meals and Drug Administration helps the well being declare that oils containing at the very least 70% oleic acid could cut back coronary coronary heart illness.¹⁰ Excessive oleic sunflower oil is normally outlined as having a minimal 80% oleic acid. Linoleic acid (omega-6), the opposite unsaturated fats in sunflower oil, also can profit coronary heart well being. The American Coronary heart Affiliation helps the inclusion of omega-6s as a part of a nutritious diet to forestall heart problems.¹¹

Fantasy #4 – Sunflower oil isn’t secure or good for frying

Excessive-oleic sunflower oil is excessive in monounsaturated fat and has solely a hint of linolenic fats (omega 3 fatty acid). Because of this, it is extremely secure and has a major shelf and fry life. It additionally has a excessive smoke level (450F) so is great in fry purposes.¹²

Listed below are different causes you may really feel assured selecting high-oleic U.S.-grown sunflower oil to your meals formulations:

• It’s non-GMO and assist cleaner ingredient lists.
• It’s grown sustainably.
• It really works nicely in a variety of formulations, together with plant-based merchandise, snacks, sauces, spreads, dips, dairy-free drinks and gluten-free and vegan baked items and pastries.
• U.S.-grown sunflower oil is Kosher and Halal Licensed.

For extra data on the probabilities of sunflower oil in numerous meals formulations, and the way it can differentiate your merchandise from the competitors, obtain the sunflower oil white paper and different data here.

Sources:

1. Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation; Innes, Jacqueline Okay. et al.; Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Important Fatty Acids (PLEFA), Quantity 132, 41 – 48
2. Djuricic, I., & Calder, P. C. (2021). Beneficial Outcomes of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Human Health: An Replace for 2021. Vitamins, 13(7), 2421. 
3. American Heart Association News
4. Michigan State University
5. American Heart Association
6. National Sunflower Association Fact Sheet: Vegetable Oils and Inflammation
7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source
8. National Institutes of Health
9. Cleveland Clinic
10. FDA
11. Massachusetts General Hospital
12. Sunflower Oil Whitepaper