Sunflower seed oil – properties, culinary and industrial uses, and the physiological implications of its consumption

The growing popularity of sunflower oil seems to be a response to a growing consumer awareness of the dangers of consuming other sources of fat. Among the most common types are hard fats derived from palm oil or soybean oils and corn, the raw materials for which are often produced from GMO crops. Sunflower Oil comes from seeds, so it seems logical that it is a healthy and natural source of fat.. Using the latest health data, we will see if this argument is actually justified.

For those who believe that sunflower oil is only a source of energy (1g of fat = 9 kcal of energy) [1] there is no doubt that vitamin E is one of the strongest antioxidants in the world, but let's look at the well-known properties that have been described extensively in the food medicine world: Sunflower Oil has a relatively high vitamin E content of 41.4 mg/100g, which is up to 205% of the body's daily fractional intake of cardio-cholesterol.[2] Vitamin E has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant, but it has been suggested that it reduces the amount of carbohydrate-induced fatty acids in the blood.

Oil pulling (oil pulling) was started in 1992 by a Ukrainian physician, Dr. R. Karach. According to the doctor, the innovative use of the method at the time was to effectively treat a wide range of diseases, from heart disease, digestive problems to hormonal disorders.

There are reports confirming the effectiveness of therapy in protecting the plaque from tooth decay, improving oral hygiene, reducing the overall number of microbes in the oral cavity, and reducing inflammation of the gums [12][13][14][15].

On the basis of the currently available studies, it can be concluded that an oil suction procedure performed as recommended is completely safe and can be used to maintain good oral hygiene and health [16]; however, it should be noted that this therapy should not replace classical dental treatment and is not currently recommended by the American Dental Association [17].