Over the years, sunflower oil remains the most popular and in demand among the population. Up to 70% of vegetable oil produced on the territory of our country is precisely sunflower oil. Oil is made from sunflower seeds, which are grown in large quantities in many countries, due to the low cost of raw materials and low cost of production, this vegetable oil is one of the most affordable.

  Refined sunflower oil contains few useful substances and is used for frying.

Unrefined oil

Unrefined oil is considered to be the most useful, since it preserves all the useful substances of sunflower seeds. Unrefined sunflower oil is produced in a cold and hot way.

In the first method, a cold extraction of sunflower seeds is carried out, the oil is filtered and is not subjected to any further processing. Such a product is considered the most useful, but its shelf life is very short. The oil has a dark saturated color, a characteristic aroma, sediment is allowed.

The second method of manufacturing unrefined sunflower oil is hot pressing. Before the extraction, the sunflower seeds are heated, after the extraction physical methods of oil purification can be applied (filtration, centrifugation, “freezing”), but no chemicals are used. The oil becomes more transparent, but this practically does not affect its taste and beneficial properties.

Unrefined sunflower oil in no case can be used for frying, with heat treatment it loses all the beneficial properties and becomes very harmful to the body.

Refined oil

Refined oil is obtained by extraction, the sunflower seeds are poured with an organic solvent, which is removed after oil separation. After this process, sunflower oil becomes transparent, light yellow in color, it has almost no smell, but there is no taste, and there is very little benefit in it. Such a product can be used for frying food, but you should not abuse it.

The benefits of sunflower oil

The amount of nutrients contained in sunflower oil may vary depending on the place and growing conditions of sunflowers and the processing method. But in any case, this product is rich in vitamins E (it is most abundant in this oil), A, D, group B, trace elements, inulin, tannins, and fatty acids, most of which are represented by unsaturated fatty acids. This vegetable oil cannot be distinguished by the amount of useful substances, although there are a lot of these substances in it. But the low price makes it one of the most affordable lean products, which undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health.

Sunflower oil has a comprehensive beneficial effect on the whole body (recall that we are talking about unrefined oil).

A complex of unsaturated fatty acids, united by one term - vitamin F (by the way, it is not synthesized in the human body), the body needs for normal fat metabolism. Upon receipt of a sufficient amount of this vitamin, lipid metabolism is established, the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood decreases, fat metabolism improves, due to which sunflower oil helps in the fight against excess weight.

Sunflower oil has a mild laxative effect, improves digestion, and the biliary system, that is, it helps to establish the process of natural cleansing of the body. The good work of the digestive system has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism and is reflected in its appearance.

Vitamin-mineral complex and inulin help strengthen the immune system. Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, protects the cells of the body from premature aging, has an antitumor effect, and improves the condition of the skin and hair. The use of unrefined sunflower oil on the state of the nervous system has a positive effect.

In the composition of cosmetic products of industrial production, you rarely see sunflower oil, but there are a lot of folk recipes for face and body skin care. It is used as a base for nourishing and moisturizing face masks, scrubs and body wraps.

It is a popular plant-derived product derived from sunflower seeds. The native land of this plant is North America, where it was first domesticated by the wild tribes of the local Indians.

The plant got to Europe in about the 1500s. thanks to the Spanish conquerors of America. And in Russia, sunflower appeared in the early 18th century, during the time of Peter I, where it was brought from Holland. About a hundred years this plant was grown only for its beauty, and any peasant wanted to have a wonderful "sun" in his garden. And only in 1829, one of the peasants of the Voronezh province, Bokarev, received oil from sunflower oil, which turned out to taste good.

A few years later, the first oil mill in the world was built in the village of this peasant, and a little later oil export abroad was established. The church evaluated the product and recognized it as lean, after which the second name of the product appeared - lean oil. At the end of the 19th century, Soviet emigrants brought oil production technology back to the United States and Canada, and soon the States became the leading manufacturer of this product.

Sunflower oil has a characteristic pleasant aroma and taste. All oil is divided into unrefined   and processed ( refined) The first is subjected exclusively to filtration to eliminate impurities, while all valuable components are preserved. This is the most useful type of oil with a characteristic tart odor and a rich, dark color. An unrefined product has a short shelf life, which is worth considering when buying: in oil, which has stood for a long time on a bright display window, a precipitate and rancid taste appear.

Refined oil undergoes neutralization and hydration, deodorization, freezing and bleaching. As a result, the product eliminates the remains of pesticides, heavy metals, other harmful impurities and free fatty acids that cause smoke when frying in a pan. But along with impurities, biological components are removed: tocopherols, phosphatides, vitamins. During the deodorization process, all aromatic substances are excluded from sunflower oil, which slightly extends the shelf life. Increasingly, they use the freezing procedure, which is the removal of natural waxes that cover sunflower seeds. Such waxes give the oil turbidity, especially when sold on the street, in cold rooms, which spoils the presentation. As a result, the refined product is anonymized - odorless, tasteless and colorless. But it can be stored for a long time, and during frying it does not “shoot” and does not foam.

How to choose

When choosing an unrefined product, pay attention to the presence of sediment. Fresh oil may have a slight sediment and clouding at the bottom of the container. A quality oil should taste good. The bitter taste is a sign of oil spoilage or staleness.

To check the quality, drop a drop of the product on the skin and rub. Quality oil is quickly absorbed into the skin.

How to store

It is better to buy unrefined product in a small bottle, since after opening the shelf life of sunflower oil decreases sharply.

After the first use, the unrefined product must be stored in a glass container with a closed lid in the refrigerator.

Dry beans (2-3 pieces) can be added to the container - so the product will be stored longer. But remember that in any case, when you open the sunflower oil, you must use it for a month.

In cooking

In cooking, both refined and unrefined oils are used. The first is recommended to be used for frying and baking: it is golden or light yellow, transparent; the smell and taste is weak. There are even varieties of oil where oleic and palmitic acid are more than linoleic acid, which is why they are suitable for frying more than others.

Unrefined oil is a little darker, it smells rather strongly of seeds, forming a precipitate during storage. It does not need to be heat-treated, but it can be added to salads, ready meals and dressings.

Calorie content

The calorie content of the product per 100 grams is 884 kcal. This should be remembered to those who follow their figure, and do not consume oil in large quantities.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Useful properties of sunflower oil

Composition and availability of nutrients

The composition of this plant product includes linolenic and linoleic unsaturated acids, which the human body is not able to synthesize. These acids are called essential acids or vitamin F. The need for them is even higher than in other vitamins.

Unsaturated acids are involved as an essential component in the formation of membranes of nerve fibers, as well as cell membranes. They have the ability to remove cholesterol, forming easily oxidized esters with cholesterol, have a normalizing effect on blood vessels and can be considered as a means of preventing heart attack, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the heart and vascular system.

Sunflower oil also contains vitamins A, E and D. Remember that unrefined oil is healthier, as this product has all natural components: vitamins and other active substances, which is why it can and should be eaten in “raw” form.

Useful and healing properties

For medicinal purposes, it is advised to use premium unrefined oil with a pleasant aftertaste and light aroma. If the product has a precipitate, this does not mean that it is of poor quality. On the contrary, a precipitate can occur in it due to the content of phosphatides, which are necessary for cell membranes and are a source of phosphoric acid, without which the body could not work at all.

Sunflower oil is used in both folk and official medicine for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. These are chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, thrombophlebitis, problems with the liver and lungs, female and cardiovascular ailments, toothache and headache, encephalitis, arthritis, rheumatism, wounds and inflammations. Solutions for plasters and ointments are also prepared on the basis of oil.

In its pure form, this product is rarely used for treatment, but there is one recipe used for many diseases. So, it is advised to take 1 tbsp. butter in your mouth, and suck it about 20 minutes. Then you need to spit it out: if the product turns white, then the necessary effect has been achieved. The procedure is repeated twice a day or even several times a day. This allows you to speed up the treatment process. Before using such a prescription, it is better to consult your doctor.

Such harm is manifested even more when one portion of the oil is heated several times. Therefore, be sure to wash the pan after each use. It is important that after certain processes of processing the product, foreign chemicals can be stored in it. So, in its composition there are often residues of hexane - a solvent close to gasoline. It is not recommended for salads.

Anyway, to get the maximum benefit with this oil, you can use only its natural varieties. Let them be more fragrant and dark, but they will only have a positive effect on health.

Sunflower oil is the most popular, popular and affordable product among similar ones. Since it has a natural plant origin, it certainly has useful and harmful properties. What are the benefits and harms of sunflower oil, how to take it for healing? It turns out that the answer to this question depends on what kind of oil we use.

Useful and harmful properties of sunflower oil depend on whether it is refined or not.

Types of Sunflower Oil

The product can be of two types: unrefined and refined.

• Unrefined. It is obtained by pressing (cold or with preheating of raw materials). It is considered the most useful for the body, as it retains all the useful compounds in an active form. It is characterized by a specific smell and taste, dark color, precipitation in the container during storage. This oil is suitable for use as an additive in salads or for treatment. Heating leads to a change in the chemical composition of the active components and their conversion into toxic compounds. Therefore, frying in unrefined oil is not recommended.
• Refined. After pressing, it undergoes a number of sequential processing processes. The result is a light yellowish transparent product, odorless and tasteless (slight), not forming a precipitate. Such an oil no longer contains substances that smoke during frying, but also no initial amount of vitamins and useful compounds. It is more suitable for roasting, but when consumed in its raw form, it brings nothing but calories.

Chemical Features

Sunflower oil is rich not only in saturated but also in unsaturated fatty acids, including OMEGA-3 and 6. It is they who are responsible for the state of the nervous, immune, endocrine systems. Fatty acids are the components of the membrane of every cell in the body. They normalize the composition of the blood, prevent the deposition of cholesterol plaques and have many other properties important for the body.

In addition, sunflower oil (unrefined) is rich in vitamin E. 100 grams of the product contains 300% of the daily requirement for this important compound. That is, to provide the cells with tocopherol, only 30 g (two tablespoons) of sunflower oil is required.

Useful and harmful properties of sunflower oil

To accurately determine for yourself whether it is possible to drink sunflower oil or choose another option for healing, you need to know what useful properties it has and what harm it can cause. The benefits of the product are as follows:

• prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis;
• eliminates cognitive impairment (improves memory, stress tolerance, speed of mental reactions, attention and concentration);
• promotes cell rejuvenation;
• boosts immunity;
• improves the condition of the skin and its derivatives;
• prevents the development of cancer;
• lowers cholesterol, preventing heart and vascular disease;
• normalizes hormonal levels;
• positive effect on the formation and maturation of germ cells;
• prevents the development of obesity;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• eliminates congestion in the gallbladder;
• helps to eliminate toxins and toxins;
• has a regenerative effect.

Attention! The listed properties relate to unrefined sunflower oil, which is widely used not only in traditional medicine, but also official, as well as in cosmetology. For medicinal purposes, the product is used internally and externally.

Despite the abundance of beneficial properties for the body, sunflower oil with an inattentive approach can cause serious harm to health. First of all, this relates to the method of cooking it. As already mentioned, the unrefined product is not recommended to be exposed to heat at all. It contains a large amount of free fatty acids and other organic compounds, which can turn into substances poisonous to organs, causing cancer. Refined oil needs to be used for frying only once. Reheating it also contributes to the formation and accumulation of carcinogens.

Advice! There will be more benefit if the vegetables or meat are first put out on the water, and at the end add sunflower oil.

If you plan to drink oil on an empty stomach, then you need to keep in mind that he has contraindications:

•   in the acute stage;
• individual intolerance.

It is best to consult a doctor before using a sunflower product for medicinal purposes. This article, like other informational materials on the net, is not a guide to self-medication.

To whom and when can I drink sunflower oil?

As a rule, for therapeutic purposes, the product is taken on an empty stomach. What are the benefits of fasting sunflower oil? Several options for this technique are possible.

For the treatment and prevention of diseases

Sunflower oil inside can be used for prophylactic purposes or for treatment with the following disorders in the body.

Regular fasting of sunflower oil helps prevent heart and vascular disease

•   . To get rid of this disorder, it is enough to drink about 20 g (tablespoon) of oil on an empty stomach every morning. Gradually, feces become soft, and defecation will occur without difficulty. In the process of such treatment, it is recommended to drink a large amount of ordinary water.
• Diseases of the anus (). As in the case of constipation, taking the product on an empty stomach in the morning helps to soften feces. This, in turn, will make bowel movements less traumatic and painful, and will make it possible to heal injuries faster.
• Atherosclerosis. In case of vascular diseases associated with cholesterol deposits, it is recommended to drink oil on an empty stomach twice a day for 10 g. It improves blood properties and helps cleanse the vascular walls of atherosclerotic deposits.

Body cleansing

Sunflower oil is used to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. This Indian method consists not in using oil inside, but in a peculiar rinse of the oral cavity with it. It is believed that in this way the product absorbs toxic substances, “collects” pathogenic microorganisms and relieves a person of many diseases, since the blood supply to the oral cavity is activated during sucking and chewing.

The cleaning procedure is simple: you need to chew and suck one tablespoon of sunflower oil on an empty stomach in the morning and at night. Duration is about 20-25 minutes. During this time, the oil in the mouth should first become thick, and then very liquid. It is impossible to swallow it, after the necessary time has passed, the oil is spat out. At the same time, it should have a white color.

For weight loss

Despite the fact that the calorific value of sunflower oil is 900 kcal, it is also successfully used for weight loss. The fat burning effect is due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the product, which normalize metabolic processes and contribute to the breakdown and elimination of fat.

For weight loss, you need to take sunflower oil on an empty stomach before breakfast and after dinner (before bedtime) with a teaspoon. The course of admission is 60-90 days. According to reviews, this approach makes it possible to reduce body weight by 5-10 kg.

How to drink sunflower oil during pregnancy

While carrying a child, the benefits of sunflower oil drunk on an empty stomach are the prevention of constipation, the elimination of heartburn.

Sunflower oil taken by mouth during pregnancy will prevent constipation and heartburn.

If a natural unrefined product in its pure form causes a gag reflex, then it is enough to add it to salads or to seize, for example, with lemon. Up to 3 tablespoons of oil is recommended per day for a pregnant woman. To get rid of heartburn, one tablespoon is enough.

Use by children

If the child has frequent problems with bowel movements, then taking the oil on an empty stomach will gradually eliminate this disorder for a long period of time. Since not all children can drink it in its pure form, you can add a sunflower product to the finished dish, for example, to soup. From 1 to 3 tablespoons is enough per day, depending on how badly the disorder is developed.

Elderly use

The use of sunflower oil on an empty stomach will be invaluable for the elderly. It inhibits the aging process in the body, prevents the occurrence of central nervous system diseases (for example, Alzheimer's), is the prevention of cancerous tumors. In addition, constipation is often observed in old age due to developing intestinal hypotension. Reception of the oil product normalizes digestion and peristalsis, facilitates bowel movements.

Discussions about the benefits of oils in recent years are conducted from all sides. And they are tasty and healthy, but only in first place in this vegetable top-list is an overseas olive. But what about sunflower oil? The benefits and harms of this product have been used for three centuries. It was in Russia that the first oil mill for processing colorful sunflowers was created. It was in Russian villages and cities that young people always loved to husk useful sunflower seeds. It is sunflower oil that is famous for its cleansing and anti-cancer properties. Isn’t it time to get to know this native butter again?

A bit of history

Sunflower oil is not just a transparent bottle with golden liquid, which we have been filling salad with since childhood and on which we fry chicken. This is our story, our pride, our national Russian product and branded medicine.

The ancient Indians began to master the oil from sunflower seeds, then the Spanish conquerors brought it to Europe, but quickly abandoned it, switching to a promising olive. And then Peter the Great noticed a magnificent sunflower flower in Holland and wanted the same “scarlet flower” to his home. So I brought it.

In the XVIII century, academician Vasily Severgin studied sunflower seeds and assured that they make excellent coffee (hello barley and), and also butter. But to start dressing salads industrially only began in 1834 - thanks to the peasant Bokarev.

Sunflower and olive - which is better?

In fact, it is impossible to say unequivocally which oil is more beneficial - olive or sunflower. And to understand the difference between them, we will consider all the points in order.

1. Unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids.

The famous properties of olive "nectar", which protects the heart and blood vessels, are associated not with a large percentage of omega-6 acids (there are much more), but with the correct ratio: there are omega-3, there are practically no less useful omega-6s. Sunflower cannot boast of this: 74.6% omega-6 against olive 9.8%.

1. Unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.

This is the most useful among all fatty acids, and if it is in olive oil (0.761%), then in sunflower oil it is not at all. The peculiarity is that, given as a standard of healthy nutrition precisely because of olives, it suggests a lot of oily fish, which helps to make up for the lack of omega-3. And if you water salmon, tuna or mackerel with sunflower dressing, you will get almost the same effect. By and large, it is the content of omega-3 that these 2 oils practically do not differ, moreover, in some sources, on the contrary, they write that in olive their content is zero, and in sunflower - about one percent.

1. Youth Vitamin E.

And here sunflower oil is the clear leader: in 100 ml of the product 41 mg of vitamin E against olive 15 mg. Therefore, sunflower is also famous as an effective and budgetary tool for preserving youth and beauty.

The composition of sunflower oil is close to the composition of olive oil also in the absence of trans fats (if you do not heat the product), and a small percentage of saturated fats. And in the sunflower of the latter even less.

And if high oleic?

Another treasure of olive and sunflower products is the unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It is famous as a powerful tool for the prevention of cancer (especially breast tumors), useful for radiant skin, a sharp mind and clear memory, strong vessels and a hardy heart.

In nature, the content of omega-9 in overseas olive and native sunflower is almost the same - 44-45%. But if you take high oleic sunflower oil - the innovation pride of the oil industry, then the percentage of acid will increase significantly. Up to 75 percent. Such an oil has a number of advantages over classic olive. It has a mild neutral taste (not everyone likes it), it is convenient to use for frying, and its shelf life is much higher than that of a Mediterranean competitor.

I am glad that Russian giants of the food industry began to produce such a miracle oil. Look for oil bottles on the shelves under the brands “Rossiyanka”, “Aston” and “Zateya” - it is in them that the oleic superpower is hidden.

The benefits and harms of sunflower oil

The beneficial properties of oil from sunflowers are entirely due to its composition. The healing triumvirate omega 3-6-9 gives us vigor and energy, strengthens the intellect and accelerates thought processes, cleanses blood vessels and helps fight bad cholesterol.

Also, sunflower extract is the most important assistant in the responsible business of personal care. It is ideal for homemade nourishing masks, protects the skin from dangerous sun rays. Essentially sunflower oil for hair (reviews on women's forums will only confirm this).

The best part is that rubbing oil and consuming it inside is not always strictly necessary. The therapeutic effect is manifested, even if you just fill them with cereals, salads, boiled potatoes and other familiar dishes. Try replacing part of the butter in the menu with vegetable! The taste does not spoil at all. But the benefits at times will increase.

But refined sunflower oil can cause harm, so it is important to use it in moderation. For obesity, for example, it is necessary to limit sunflower oil: its calorie content is approximately 899 kcal, so a maximum of 3 tablespoons is allowed per day. The calorie content of each is about 152 kcal.

Oil suction cleansing

One of the most famous healing properties of sunflower oil is its unique ability to remove toxins, waste, pathogenic microorganisms from the body.

All toxic substances accumulate not only in the intestine, but also in the mouth. Therefore, the medicinal sucking of sunflower oil has long been known - doctors' reviews about it can be collected from ancient times. Such an unusual technique was offered by ancient Indian doctors, Russian healers, and Ukrainian oncologist T. Karnaut. But the principles of oil cleansing are the same everywhere.

• First, practice in plain water - swallow a tablespoon and chase through closed teeth to the lips back and forth. When you feel that you are no longer swallowing the liquid, you can take the oil.
• You need to suck on sunflower oil on an empty stomach, in the mornings or evenings (preferably twice a day) for 24 minutes. Time must be observed strictly.
• Focus on your sensations: first, the product in the mouth thickens, then it becomes liquid, like ordinary water. At this time, it's time to spit.
• The color of the used oil should be saturated white, like milk. If yellow, and even interspersed, it means they were underexposed. You need to spit oil in the toilet: this fluid is truly poisonous.

Regular sucking of sunflower oil, studies say, can cope with a whole range of diseases. It removes the common cold and relieves sore throats, cleanses the blood and blood vessels, improves the functioning of the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. And it helps to generally improve the body and strengthen the defenses.

One condition: it is contraindicated to engage in such cleansing in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases - exacerbation may begin. Therefore, before treatment, it is better to visit a gastroenterologist.

There is an alternative opinion about oil sucking:

What happens if you drink oil?

What happens if you drink sunflower oil? This question is of concern to many - and those who want to start oil cleansing of the body (what if I accidentally swallow it?), And just get treated with a sunflower product, and even schoolchildren who want to go out for a day or two (how would you get sick for a short time and safely?).

• Oil is strife - that’s the thing. The most dangerous thing is to accidentally swallow an already white, toxic oil, which you chewed for 20 minutes. In this case, all viruses and wastes get back into the body and can even provoke poisoning.
• If you periodically drink 1-3 tablespoons a day, then there will be no harm, on the contrary, the intestines will work even better.
• But if you drink a whole glass, the body can react in the most unpredictable way. The most common consequences are nausea and vomiting. Often - severe diarrhea, a few no-hours in the toilet are provided for you. And if there are gastrointestinal ailments, then it is quite possible to earn an exacerbation.

Sunflower oil treatment

Cleansing the body is not the only treatment with oil squeezing. Sunflower oil against constipation is very effective.

To activate the intestines, you need to take one tablespoon of oily liquid per day. There are several options: either dilute in a glass of water, or mix with kefir, or simply add to salads and cereals (do not heat!). In severe cases, you can put an enema: heat 100 ml to 47 degrees and enter the enema at night. After the procedure, lie down for 10-15 minutes.

If angina has begun, you can prepare such a medicine: mix a teaspoon of unrefined sunflower oil and aloe juice and spread the throat. Do not use for children!

And if the gums are inflamed or bad breath is tormented, you can prepare a rinse: 2 large tablespoons of oil, a tablespoon of sea salt, stir well. Rinse your mouth for 5 minutes before bedtime.

The benefits of sunflower oil for hair ...

Sunflower oil for hair is a simple, cheap and effective way to care for luxurious long curls and stylish short haircut. Useful fats and vitamins in oil nourish the scalp, protect the hair from the harmful effects of wind, sun and frost, improve the appearance of hair, help cure brittle and split ends.

The most useful oil treatment for dry hair, but you can find options for masks for other types. Here are the simplest and most effective sunflower hair care recipes.

Mask for dry hair from sunflower oil

Grind two fresh chicken yolks with 5 ml of tincture, pour a couple of tablespoons of oil and stir. Apply to the locks along the entire length, hold for 15-20 minutes and wash your hair, as usual.

Universal hair mask made of sunflower oil

Mix the juice of large lemon, 3-4 large spoons of the oil base and 3-4 drops. Distribute along the entire length of the curls, thoroughly rinse after half an hour.

... and for the skin

Face sunflower oil is just as popular as other oil products. Its regular use helps to make the skin more elastic, smooth out the first wrinkles, even out complexion, and remove peeling.

Oil spa treatments in winter are especially useful - for dry skin, compresses from warm sunflower oil are recommended. We put a napkin soaked with liquid on our faces, rest for half an hour, then wash off.

Another classic recipe for traditional medicine is sunflower oil for tanning. Body care products for the beach can not be counted today, but simple oil is a proven and effective classic. He has plenty of pluses: it nourishes the skin, does not wash off even after 2-3 swims and protects against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation.

For an even and safe tan, oil should be applied half an hour before going to the beach. We start with the legs, spread it over the body with a thin even layer, last but not least the neck and face. Then get wet with a napkin and wait until absorbed.

What do the reviews say?

It is difficult to call sunflower oil for hair care the most popular recipe, but those girls who have tried are happy to share their experiences on the forums.

“Used the sunflower oil for the experiment to take a break from. The effect is excellent - it reduces natural fat content and significantly accelerates hair growth. noticeably after the 3-4th application. "

“I take only unrefined hair! The hair is then excellent - very shiny, silky, the tips as if soldered, as after a salon. The main thing is to wash it off well, it’s enough for me twice ”.

About sunflower tanning oil reviews are more controversial. Many members of the forum discourage such experiments - after branded products, the smell on the skin is more pleasant, and there are more special protective filters in the composition. Also, after pure oil there is little risk of irritation if you have a tendency to allergies.

One way to understand if sunflower oil is right for you. Try it in a place where you can immediately wash it off if you do not like the effect and sensations. For example, in your own country house. And do not forget to take sun baths in accordance with all the rules!

We understand the types of sunflower oil

The production of oily liquid for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal needs goes through many stages until you get the final product. And the types of this product that we choose on the store shelves are very different.

1. Raw (first cold pressed). This is the most valuable oil - it has an incomparable aroma of sunflowers and a dark color. Ideal for vinaigrettes, ready-made dressings, pea porridge, salads, sauces. It must not be heated!
2. Unrefined. This is also a well-known product with rich color and bright aroma. Unrefined sunflower oil, the benefits and harms of which have been known for a long time, is considered the most healing sunflower “option”. It retains all the vitamins, healthy fats, and it’s just very tasty.
3. Refined. This is the most familiar oil that we use for cooking, frying, parks and other culinary delights. It undergoes a full purification cycle, so there is a little less useful fat in such an oil, and in terms of vitamin E content it is seriously inferior to its refined “analogue”.
4. Frozen Sunflower Oil. What is it and what does it eat with? Yes with anything! This is the same refined product from which natural waxes were additionally removed. It is perfectly transparent, very light, so it is well suited for salads and does not change the appearance, color and taste of the dish.

How to choose and store oil?

In order not to get confused in front of the huge shelves with oil products in supermarkets, it is important to know exactly what you need. How to choose sunflower oil? Pay attention to the expiration date, application, type and GOST.

You only need to buy the product that is made in accordance with GOST R 52465 2005. When the oil is produced according to the technical specifications, this does not necessarily mean that it is bad. But control in such production is less stringent, so no one guarantees you perfect quality.

If you are looking for a fragrant oil for salads and vinaigrettes, take unrefined premium or first grade. When there are children in the house, the refined deodorized Premium is suitable, it is used for baby food. The most transparent is refined hydrated, and it also has the longest shelf life.

Do not fall for enticing inscriptions such as “non-GMO” and “non-cholesterol”. In principle, there cannot be either one or the other in a sunflower product, these are just marketing tricks for naive buyers (by the way, this is why we recommended sunflower lecithin instead of soy lecithin in the article about). And why do you need a product from a manufacturer that does not respect you?

How to store sunflower oil at home? This is another important item of housekeeping. First of all, look at the type of oil. Unrefined, you can safely use 3-4 months, refined will last up to 10 months and even more. It is necessary to keep it at a temperature of +5 to + 20ºC, it is also possible in the refrigerator. And if a refined bottle feels great in a store plastic bottle, then a refined, unrefined one is better to pour into a glass bottle immediately after purchase.

The debate over the issue and the benefits of sunflower oil does not stop. Some are in a hurry to assure that refined oil is very unhealthy. Others refuse to buy unrefined because often it has a bitter taste and foams in a pan. There are opinions that just refined oil is able to withstand high temperatures, and natural (not refined), on the contrary, is suitable only for dressing salads. Where to find the truth, and what to choose sunflower oil. The benefits and harms of this product will be discussed in our article today so that you can make your choice.

The benefits of sunflower oil

To begin with, this is one of the most popular products that is used in cooking. Not a single kitchen is complete without its use; each housewife always holds sunflower oil in a darkened cabinet. The benefit and harm of it depends on the method of use, because the product itself is very valuable. It contains vitamins A, D, E, as well as many biologically active substances. Eating this product improves vision, strengthens bone tissue, hair, nails and skin. Sunflower oil favorably affects the endocrine and genitourinary system. Oil is able to preserve many vitamins. For example, carotene in carrots dissolves only when consumed with oil.

The oil is also widely used in cosmetology. Almost all the oils that are in pharmacies (burdock, St. John's wort, nettle and many others) are prepared on its basis. As you can see, sunflower oil is a very valuable product. Its benefits and harms, however, go hand in hand.

Sunflower oil

This is obvious, but it cannot be said about him. The product is very high-calorie, and a large amount of fat in the composition can cause weight gain. Oil should be consumed very moderately. This is especially true for those who are obese. That is, in fact, all the harm that a person can get from this product is that it is quite high-calorie. Therefore, you can not use it in too large quantities. At the same time, dressing salads, you will not harm your body. However, everything fried in oil should be minimized.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that this is a product, not a medicine, it has its contraindications and sunflower oil. The benefits and harms of it are already described, now let's see for whom this product is completely prohibited. These are primarily people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. If you have diseases of the biliary tract and gall bladder, then you should minimize the intake of oil. In addition, in minimal quantities, sunflower oil should be taken with diabetes and high cholesterol.

The benefits of refined oil

You will always recognize this product by its characteristic characteristics - it is a light color, lack of smell and smoke when frying. Therefore, most often, if you plan to cook pies or tortillas, then you will take refined sunflower oil. The benefits and harms of this product are determined by the technology with which it was cleaned. The composition of the product remains the same, the cleaning procedure does not change it. It is carried out in two ways. The first is physical, involves the use of adsorbents. The second is chemical, in this case the oil is passed through alkalis. The second method is more common, as it is easier to control the quality of the final product.

First of all, we can appreciate the advantage of refined oil during frying. It has no taste, does not smoke, and does not form foam. Nevertheless, it is not worthwhile to spread the pan strongly. The smoke point, when the oil begins to burn, forming carcinogens, the refined oil is higher, but it is still there.

Refined Oil Harm

In some cases, if you want to get a product without a smell, you should use frozen sunflower oil. The benefits and harms of this product are little known, but it can be assumed that you get a flavourless purified product without using any alkali or absorbent substances. Manufacturers, of course, claim that the oil is washed well after cleaning and no harmful impurities are stored in it. I want to believe in it, but still the process of home cleaning is much safer. For example, do not use refined fasting sunflower oil at the factory. The benefits and harms of such a product depend on how it is cleaned. No matter how safe industrial alkalis are, their impurities are unlikely to add health.

The benefits of crude oil

Now let's look at unrefined sunflower oil. The benefit and harm of it for a long time were not considered at all, it was recorded in cheap products for the poorest, and all the rest used purified. However, this is fundamentally wrong. Cold-pressed oil is the best you can think of for your health. It preserves the maximum of useful substances that are in sunflower grains. It is it that is very useful for dressing vegetable salads, it can be drunk on an empty stomach in the morning, and you can also rinse your mouth with sunflower oil. The benefits and harms of this ritual have been studied in antiquity. So treat a sore throat, sore throat, relieve headache and toothache. To do this, put a little oil in the mouth and rinse for 20 minutes, after which the oil should be spit out.

This lean food product has long been used as a substitute for animal fats during fasting, or during illness. Dough was made in vegetable oil, baked lean cakes, it was added to cereals.

Unrefined oil harm

When frying from unrefined oil more harm than good. When heating begins, excess moisture in the oil rises, and this immediately leads to the appearance of foam. It is very difficult to control the frying process when the products are covered with a thick layer of foam. Natural smoke begins to smoke at 100 degrees, given that the average temperature of frying pies is 230 degrees, it is clear that the formation of carcinogens is inevitable.

This means that if you decide to fry the meat in aromatic oil, then as a result hopelessly spoil the product, and the whole room will have to be ventilated for a very long time. The smell after frying on unrefined oil is very persistent. Nutritionists unanimously argue that despite the high calorie content, vegetable oil should be present in the diet regularly. At the same time, it is better to take peeled for frying, and unrefined for making sauces and salad dressing. Therefore, you must always have two bottles of oil in your kitchen.

To summarize

Today we examined an important topic, as each of us constantly buys sunflower oil. The benefits and harms (how to take purified and natural oil, we examined in detail earlier) of this product very much depend on how to use it. First of all, you need to observe the dosage, every day it is permissible to use only 2 tablespoons, due to its high calorie content. In addition, in order not to get harmful carcinogens with food, you need to remember that you can only fry in refined oil. But for salads and sandwiches you can use a fragrant, smelling unrefined seeds.