Sunflower oil – A sensible choice for a healthy lifestyle

Called as Surajmukhi Tel, this oil is extracted from the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed. This oil has medicinal benefits, used mainly to bring down the LDL “bad” cholesterol. It has immense nutritional value.

Apart from cooking, this oil can be used for making cosmetics, for skincare, healing wounds as well as against arthritis. Currently, Ukraine, Argentina, Europe, and the USA are the key producers of Sunflower Oil.

INTRODUCTION

This oil has earned itself fame around the globe as it is recognized to be healthier in comparison to other vegetable oils. Sunflower Oil is light to taste as well as appearance. Packed with polyunsaturated fat, it is the most preferred oil for cooking. It is considered to supply ample Vitamin E.

SETTING IT APART

There’s no doubt at the credibility of Sunflower Oil and its uses. The crop is easily cultivated throughout the year. Used in cooking it is known to be heart-friendly when consumed in moderation.

Tocopherol in this oil removes free radicals and is known to reduce the chances of cancer. Sunflower oil also provides skincare benefits. It’s a sensible choice to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

CULTIVATION

Sunflower can be grown at all times of the year as the plant has an ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. The best period to grow sunflower is in summer as there is a greater buzz of honeybee during that time.

For best results, sunflowers must be grown on deep loamy soil with a good irrigation and drainage system. The pH of 6.8 to 8.0 should be maintained.

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUNFLOWER OIL

With people cautious of their health, they are now aiming for healthy food. This has led to a rapid surge in demand for this oil globally.

The main reason for the increasing popularity of the oil is the fatty acid content in it. Since Sunflower Oil is 100% fat, the oil proves to be really healthy.

One tbsp of Sunflower Oil per 100 gms contains the following:

Total Fat	100g
Omega-6	58%
Vitamin E	42mgs
Cholesterol	0g
Vitamin K	5g
Polyunsaturated(Std)	66g

Source: wikipedia.org

DISHES WITH SUNFLOWER OIL

The oil can be used to bake dishes, confectionaries, used in non-dairy creamers, and also works as a spray coating oil for cereal, biscuits, and dried fruit as it is a trans-fat-free oil.

As it is non-sticky and healthy many prefer this oil while frying. It can be also used in salad dressing and as a key ingredient in granola and sauce preparations. So essentially, it serves as an important ingredient in many foods.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SUNFLOWER OIL

Sunflower oil is known to be one of the healthiest oils for cooking as well as for its use in our beauty routine. The main components of this magnificent oil are linoleic acid, carotenoids, lecithin, and a good amount of vitamins E, A, and D.

There are a number of advantages one can avail by using sunflower oil. Starting with dietary advantages, sunflower oil is said to control cholesterol keeping the heart healthy and strengthening the immune system.

Doctors prescribe it to counter Athlete’s Foot, a fungal infection between the toes.

Many skincare products use this amazing oil for its capacity to protect the skin from the UV rays. In addition, it also helps in improving skin health by generating new cells. In moderation, sunflower oil can also decrease scars, heal wounds and lighten the skin tone. This is an important reason why this oil is used in a number of cosmetic products.

Big Basket recipes of dishes you can make with sunflower oil:

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/1763/fresho-ghee-roast-munchy-mushroom-roll/

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/838/sooji-nuggets/

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/936/veg-manchuriann/

https://www.bigbasket.com/cookbook/recipes/1765/tricolour-uthappam/

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