Have you ever come across the familiar saying, "You are what you eat"? It's a sentiment many of us have heard countless times while growing up. Ah, yes, the wisdom of our elders never ceases to amaze us!
One thing they never failed to warn us about was the dangers of indulging in fried foods. They had a point, though. Apparently, the oil used in those deliciously crispy treats is often of questionable quality and can wreak havoc on our precious health.
Now, let's fast forward a few decades and take a good look at the world we live in. What do we see? It's a land where nearly every packaged food item seems to be deep-fried. So, here's the million-dollar question for you: Are you absolutely certain that you're using the right oil for your cooking?
If your answer doesn't involve the glorious Safflower oil, my friend, it might be time to reassess your choices. Believe me, once you uncover the astonishing benefits of Safflower oil, there's no going back.
We're talking about not only nourishing your skin and hair but also tackling stubborn issues like high cholesterol, managing weight, and even dealing with diabetes. Yep, it's a total game-changer!
|
Table of Contents
|
Safflower oil is a plant-based oil and has a golden hue. It has a faint smell and is almost flavorless. With the presence of highly potent essential fatty acids and vitamin E, Safflower oil has countless health benefits.
Let’s see them one by one!
Safflower Oil Benefits
Oils or fats serve as a vital source of energy for our body’s metabolism activities. Our body gets certain fatty acids from external food sources. These are Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats are good for blood, heart, and brain development. Fortunately, safflower oil is abundant in both of these fatty acids, making it a valuable addition to our diet.
Safflower Oil is Good for Heart Health
The abundance of linoleic acid in Safflower oil helps in reducing blood cholesterol levels, specifically the "bad" fats. It improves blood circulation around the heart.
It makes the blood thin and doesn’t let the fat deposit in the arteries, keeping the heart and nervous system healthy.
Safflower Oil Regulates blood sugar levels
Oleic acid and linoleic acid are known to have a positive effect on type 2 diabetes by decreasing blood sugar levels. Safflower oil intake improves glycemia and has a hypoglycemic effect.
Safflower oil is a good source of antioxidants and has proven anti-inflammatory properties.
The presence of oleic acid in Safflower oil can also help in reducing the chances of breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes and tumour.
The regenerative properties also help in maintaining good bone health.
Safflower oil benefits for skin
Moving on to the benefits of safflower oil for the skin, Safflower oil has various skin applications and has been a part of cosmetic formulations for ages. It has been used in skin ointments for treating acne, dermatitis and skin whitening.
Safflower Oil Fights Inflammation, Repair skin barrier and Soothes dry skin
Linoleic acids are an essential part of the skin. They help in skin regeneration, fight free radicals, prevent aging and maintain the skin barrier.
Safflower is rich in linoleic acid and its topical application helps recover from dermatitis, acne, and dry skin effectively.
Safflower oil benefits for hair
Safflower oil helps in promoting hair growth. The high amount of Vit. E present in this oil easily penetrates the scalp because of its low viscosity. It improves blood circulation and promotes hair growth.
Safflower oil benefits for weight loss
Research has shown that a diet rich in oleic acid helps in the breakdown of fats accumulated in the body, resulting in the downturn of obesity.
Healthy fats do wonders for the body by discarding the bad cholesterol and improving the core functions of the organs like glycolysis, bone formation, etc.
Cold pressed Safflower oil has the properties of increasing metabolism rate and supports the weight loss diet recommending linoleic acid.
Alright, besides health benefits Safflower oil has so much more to offer to the culinary world. People across the world are amazed by its versatility and you would be too after reading about its cooking benefits.
Nutritional Profile of Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is extracted from the seeds of its vibrant flower. But here's the exciting part: When it comes to essential fatty acids, cold-pressed Safflower oil takes the crown, surpassing all others. In fact, it doesn’t have cholesterol and the levels of saturated fatty acids are also lower than other oils.
Now, let's talk about the superhero duo of fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or linoleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), whose levels depend on the quality of seeds and the process of oil extraction.
Kachchi ghani or mari chekku is the traditional method of making superior-quality cold-pressed oil. Down below you can see the approximate value of nutrients present per 100 gm of cold-pressed Safflower oil:
- Energy 899 kcal
- Total fat 95
- Saturated fat 6 g
- MUFA 13.12 g
- PUFA 74.42 g
- Omega-3 fatty acid 0.442
- Omega-6 fatty acid 46.71 g
Fun fact! Did you know that the human brain is made of 60% fat? Children up to the age of 6 to 7 years need a diet rich in essential fatty acids (linoleic and oleic acids) for good brain development.
Safflower Oil Cooking Benefits
Is this oil suitable for cooking? What is its smoking point? These are just a couple of questions that can leave us feeling overwhelmed when faced with the wide array of oils available on the market.
The ideal cooking oil should have a high smoking point, meaning that once oil is heated at a high temperature, it does not disintegrate and forms toxic derivatives.
Safflower oil is available in two types: high oleic acid and high linoleic acid safflower oil.
Safflower oil with a high oleic acid content has the highest smoking point of 232 degrees Celsius.. You can use this oil for deep frying at high heat without worrying about the loss of nutrients in food.
When high linoleic acid Safflower oil is used for sauteing, shallow frying, or other form of cooking, it will maintain its qualities.
Cold-pressed Safflower oil has a very faint taste and smell. This makes it versatile enough to be used in baking as well. Replace your regular oil with Safflower oil in your recipes, without worrying about a change in taste.
Cold-pressed safflower oil makes an excellent carrier for salad dressings. They can be refrigerated and kept for up to six months.
That’s how easy it is to include this healthy gem of oil in your everyday cooking!
FAQ: Safflower oil benefits
Is Safflower oil healthy ?
Yes. Safflower Oil has lot of health benefits including lots of antioxidants. You can refer above for details.
Is safflower oil better than other cooking oils?
Yes, Safflower oil is the best available oil for deep frying, baking, sauteing, and other forms of high-to-low-temperature cooking. Its smoking point is 232 degrees Celsius, which is the second highest after Canola oil. It's a good source of unsaturated essential fatty acids (linoleic and oleic acids) and provides several health benefits.
Is sunflower oil the same as safflower oil?
No, sunflower oil and safflower oil have different nutritional profiles. Safflower oil is more nutrient-rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins than sunflower oil. However, they both have a high smoking point and similar taste and appearance, making them effective replacements for one another.
Can safflower oil help with acne?
Safflower oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acid, which have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help in the regeneration of the skin barrier and thus help in fast recovery from acne.
How can I store safflower oil?
The best traditional method to store any oil is to store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Safflower oil can be kept in the refrigerator for 6 months or so. When not refrigerated, it is best to keep it in a glass jar in a cool, dark place.
Conclusion
To sum it up, safflower oil is not only ideal for Indian cooking but also incredibly versatile in its applications. Whether you're baking, deep frying, sautéing, grilling, or even using it topically, safflower oil proves to be a reliable choice. With its high smoking point, subtle taste, and lack of colour, it effortlessly blends into any recipe.
We hope that the “Safflower oil benefits” article will help you make a better choice by including this oil in your diet and avail the various benefits it has to offer.
Don’t forget to buy only the cold pressed Safflower oil made from native seeds and stored in a glass bottle. Avoid plastic bottles and refined oils for assured nutrient-rich content.
Ready to get your hands on some cold-pressed safflower oil and more? Visit the TwoBrothers store to buy cold-pressed Safflower oil and more. Start exploring the goodness of safflower oil today!
Read more : How to Consume Coconut Oil for Weight Loss
9 Niger Seed Oil Benefits: A Hidden Treasure for Health and Wellness
