Safflower oil, as the name suggests, is a form of oil that is taken out from the seeds of the safflower plant. There are two ways in which safflower oil is extracted from the plant - the chemical process and the mechanical process. During the chemical process, the oil is refined by adding certain chemicals into it. This process actually eliminates the essential nutrients found in the oil and also contaminates it with certain harmful chemicals which can cause negative effects on the body, on consumption. The other method of extracting oil from the safflower seeds is the mechanical method. In this method, instead of using chemicals, oil is taken from the plant by using a natural expeller. This is a better method than the former one, because it helps in retaining all the naturally found ingredients in safflower oil. Due to this reason, consumers should check the label well before buying safflower oil to know the method used for making the oil. Let us look at the essential ingredients present in safflower oil, before we go into the safflower oil benefits.

Important Ingredients in Safflower Oil

Safflower oil has the highest source of polyunsaturated fats than that found in any other type of vegetable oil, i.e. almost 78% polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid). It also contains 13 percent of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and only 8% of saturated fatty acids. The other essential nutrients present in safflower oil are omega-6 fatty acids, cis-linoleic acid, vitamin E, etc. Due to the presence of these ingredients in safflower oil, this oil is said to have various benefits to the health of individuals. Let us know how safflower oil benefits the overall health of individuals.

Safflower Oil Health Benefits

As safflower oil contains high amounts of polyunsaturated fats, it helps in creation of prostaglandins in the individual's body. These hormone like compounds aid in strengthening the cell membranes and also in the proper functioning of the body.

One of the best health benefits of safflower oil is that it is an effective way of eliminating the excess fat accumulated in the body, thus helps in losing weight. Brown fat is present in several areas of the body which is a major factor that aids in burning calories. The cis-linoleic acid present in safflower oil gets converted into gamma linolenic acid (GLA) that triggers the brown fat to burn calories. Therefore, people who are looking for ways to lose as well as maintain their weight should include safflower oil in their regular diet.

Another benefit of using safflower oil is that it helps in the reduction of the level of cholesterol in the blood which reduces the risk of heart diseases in the individual. Apart from this, safflower oil is also said to strengthen the immune system of the body which increases its ability to resist the appearance of certain infections as well as diseases.

Many doctors and dietitians recommend the use of safflower oil to obese people suffering from diabetes. Research has been conducted to find the benefits of safflower oil in older diabetic women who are overweight. These women were asked to take safflower oil supplements for a period of sixteen weeks, and the results that showed were entirely positive. It was not only observed that they lost excess fat, but there was also a significant decline in their blood sugar levels. Apart from diabetic patients, using safflower oil is an effective method of curing premenstrual syndrome. Consuming safflower oil instead of hormonal drugs helps in regularizing menstrual cycles, thus getting rid of the problem of irregular periods, something which is a very common in women these days due to various reasons.

Safflower oil also promotes hair growth and a healthy skin as it contains vitamin E. People who have dry, permed as well as colored hair are recommended to get a regular safflower oil massage for healthy looking hair. This odorless oil is mild and has a very light texture, and so easily absorbs into the scalp. People who are suffering from excess hair fall can find effective hair regrowth with the application of safflower oil on the hair.

Apart from benefiting the hair, there are also many safflower oil skin benefits. People who have dry skin should use safflower oil which helps in moisturizing the skin, especially during winter, thus making it smooth and healthy. People are also recommended the use of safflower oil for acne treatment. Application of safflower oil on the skin helps in getting rid of other skin problems like scars, wrinkles, etc., along with acne. Read more on healthy cooking oil.

Besides all of the above, safflower oil can also be used as cooking oil or as a dressing in salads. Now, as you know the different safflower oil benefits, do not waste any time in substituting it with the oil that you usually use, and you will surely gain a healthy and fit body.

Safflower oil is an oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower plant, a member of the sunflower family. This oil began to grow in popularity in the 1960s, and is widely available in many markets and health food stores. In addition to being used in food production, safflower oil also appears as a medium for painting, and as a component in a wide variety of commercial products.

Safflowers are annual plants, like their sunflower relatives, with deep roots which have evolved to sustain the plant in dry climates. Safflowers can be grown in a wide range of climates, although they are vulnerable to frost damage, so they do not thrive in extremely cold regions of the world. The flower heads of safflowers resemble thistles, developing yellow to orange petals which eventually fall away to reveal the seeds.

Safflower oil is an oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower plant, a member of the sunflower family. This oil began to grow in popularity in the 1960s, and is widely available in many markets and health food stores. In addition to being used in food production, safflower oil also appears as a medium for painting, and as a component in a wide variety of commercial products.

Safflowers are annual plants, like their sunflower relatives, with deep roots which have evolved to sustain the plant in dry climates. Safflowers can be grown in a wide range of climates, although they are vulnerable to frost damage, so they do not thrive in extremely cold regions of the world. The flower heads of safflowers resemble thistles, developing yellow to orange petals which eventually fall away to reveal the seeds.

Typically, the labeling on a bottle of safflower oil will indicate which type of oil is inside. If you aren't sure, check the nutritional labeling on the side, or look at the storage and use recommendations. If the label says that the oil needs to be stored in a cool or refrigerated location, for example, it is probably polyunsaturated safflower oil, whereas oils touted for their durability in cooking are most likely monounsaturated safflower oils. Polyunsaturated oil should not be used in high-heat cooking, because it will become rancid, developing chemical compounds which will add an unpleasant taste to the food.