Sunflower oil: the benefits and harms of a refined and unrefined product

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Sunflower oil: the benefits and harms of a refined and unrefined product
Sunflower oil: the benefits and harms of a refined and unrefined product
Anonim

Sunflower oil began to be produced in Russia only in the 19th century, and it immediately gained immense popularity. Oil mills began to open everywhere in the country, they learned how to deodorize, refine, fortify and filter the product. Refined was used for frying, and fragrant unrefined sunflower oil was used for dressing salads.

The benefits and harms of different types of this product cause a lot of controversy. Some people like pure refined oil, others only recognize vitamin-rich, unrefined varieties.

sunflower oil benefits and harms
sunflower oil benefits and harms

Types of sunflower oil

According to the processing technology, oil can be refined, unrefined and raw.

Crude oil is obtained by cold pressing. It retains all the useful components, it is tasty and fragrant, but when heated above +900С, it starts to smoke, foam, release carcinogens. Has a short durationshelf life, during long-term storage it becomes rancid, cloudy, bitter. Is sunflower oil worth it? The benefits and harms depend on the terms and conditions of storage, as well as how it is used. If you take a fresh product and season salads with it, it will bring only good. When applied correctly, this type is the most useful.

Unrefined oil. Production technology - hot pressing. Then it is filtered, hydrated, neutralized. Useful substances are partially destroyed when the seeds are heated, but the final product is cheap and has a pleasant "seed" aroma. It is not recommended to use it for frying and baking, limiting itself to adding oil to a salad.

Refined oil is obtained by the extraction process, when almost all raw materials are extracted from seeds. Then follows a thorough cleaning - refining. The content of vitamins and biologically active substances in it is minimal, but this product does not emit carcinogens, does not "shoot" and does not foam. Refined sunflower oil is ideal for baking and frying.

The benefits and harms of each of these types of product are associated with storage and use. Only refined oil can be exposed to thermal effects, and raw and unrefined oil can be used as a dressing.

benefits of sunflower oil
benefits of sunflower oil

Benefits of sunflower oil

Vegetable fats do not contain cholesterol, so their use is more preferable than animal fats. Sunflower oil contains many substances necessary for humans. Thanks to the highcontaining tocopherol, which is a powerful antioxidant, sunflower oil has a rejuvenating effect.

Unrefined oil contains phosphorus-containing substances and vitamins A, K, D and E. The percentage of tocopherol in it is higher than in refined oil. But the latter contains more vitamin E than other types of vegetable oils (for example, olive oil).

Oleic and linoleic acids, which are part of the product, are vital for the human body. Without them, the normal functioning of nerve fibers and the formation of new cells is impossible.

sunflower oil harm
sunflower oil harm

Sunflower oil is used in masks to strengthen hair, soften the skin and is used in folk medicine to treat diseases of the liver and stomach.

Harm of sunflower oil

When used in moderation, the product has virtually no contraindications. However, excessive consumption can put more strain on the stomach and liver. A truly harmful oil can become a violation of storage conditions and improper use. Cold-pressed oil is usable for only 4 months if stored in a cold, dark place, unrefined - 10 months. It is advisable to use the started bottle within 1 month.

oil - types
oil - types

To avoid trans fats that are harmful to humans, only high-quality refined food should be exposed to heat.

Not only from sunflowers

Sunflower - the most common andavailable from all vegetable oils. In recent years, it has been losing its popularity to olive, which is presented in a very favorable light by producers from warm countries. If we compare the sunflower oil familiar to us with it, the benefits and harms of these products are about the same, but the prices differ quite significantly. From time to time it is useful to use both, not forgetting about other varieties: linen, pumpkin, hemp.

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