Is Palm Kernel Oil Healthy?

In the US, unlike other vegetable oils, you will not find palm oil stocked on your grocery store shelves. This is because palm kernel oil is one of the vegetable oils that is said to be not good for your heart.

This oil has been used for decades in Africa and southern Asia before it was even introduced to the Americas. It serves many different purposes from cooking food to keeping the skin and hair hydrated.

Where does it come from?

Palm Kernel Oil is made from the kernel of African oil palms. The palm kernel, otherwise known as the seed of the oil palm, is removed and cleaned to get rid of foreign material before it is sent to extraction. At the extraction phase, the seeds are crushed and run through a roller mill until the oil is expelled.

It may also be extracted through solvent extraction which yields more oil than cold-pressing.

The oil that is extracted can either be dark in color or light yellow, depending on the method of extraction. It is thick in nature and has a unique taste and smell.

It is important to note that palm kernel oil is different from palm oil. While palm oil is made from the fruit of the palm tree, palm kernel oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the actual palm seed.

Palm oil contains a 50/50 balance of saturated fat vs unsaturated fat. Palm kernel oil, on the other hand, has 80-85% saturated fat.

What is it used for?

As aforementioned, Palm Kernel Oil has been used widely in Africa for cooking food. Some more of its uses include:

Hair and Skincare

The fatty acids and vitamins present in Palm Kernel oil make it a great oil for scalp and hair health. When used after a hair wash, Palm Kernel oil can help to replace some of the moisture lost from using harsh shampoos which strip the hair of its natural oils.

This oil can also help to relieve scalp itch and counteract dryness. It can also be used to stimulate hair growth, promote thickness and reduce hair fall. It will also give the hair noticeable sheen and nourishment.

Palm Kernel oil contains Vitamin E and antioxidants that may have antiaging benefits. This protects the skin against fine lines and wrinkles and also sagging. Palm Kernel oil can also provide protection against dust and other acne-causing pollutants in the air and can act as sunscreen against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Palm Kernel oil can also be used to moisturize the skin, giving it a radiant glow and making it soft to touch without leaving you with a greasy appearance. It can also be used to relieve itch from certain skin conditions and act as a protective barrier for minor scrapes and bruises.

This oil also has a noticeable lightening effect and can reduce the appearance of skin discoloration, acne scars, and dark spots.

Treating STDs

Palm Kernel oil contains about 50% saturated lauric acid which is used to make a medicine known as Lauricidin. This medicine has been approved for the treatment of STDs such as HIV and genital herpes. (This medicine can also be used for the treatment of hepatitis C along with epilepsy, autism and a range of other neural ailments.)

Treating Yeast Infections

Palm Kernel Oil also contains approximately 3.6% of saturated caprylic acid which is a naturally occurring yeast-fighting substance. This substance has been used to make popular drugs such as caprinex, mycostat and capricin which are used to counteract yeast-infections.

When consumed on its own, or as a part of a meal, Palm Kernel oil can be used to prevent and treat many viral, fungal yeast infections. It is even used as a part of traditional Ghanaian medicine to treat herpes in children.

Traditional African Medicine

In parts of Africa such as Ghana, Palm Kernel oil is used for a wide array of medical ailments. Palm Kernel oil is used to:

• Prevent menstrual cramps and regulate the cycle• Treat eye problems and headaches• Increase fertility• Treat arthritis and other instances of joint and muscle pain• Manage diabetes and hypertension• Improve the quality of breast milk• Prevent, treat and manage degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s

Nutritional facts

In one tablespoon of palm kernel oil, you find the following break down of nutrients:

Calories:117

Total fat:14g

Saturated Fat: 11g•

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.2g

Monounsaturated fat: 1.6g

Total Carbohydrate: 0g

Protein: 0g

Palm Kernel oil is also cholesterol-free.

Palm Kernel Oil is rich in Vitamin K. This vitamin is crucial for blood coagulation and bone health. It also contains Vitamin E which is crucial for healthy skin and hair, and Vitamin A which contributes to eye health.

Type of Fat

Palm Kernel oil is comprised mainly of saturated fat, approximately 80%. Its saturated fatty acid content includes lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, caprylic acid, and stearic acid.

About 12% of Palm Kernel oil is monounsaturated fat. Most of these are oleic acid which is useful for reducing inflammation.

2% of Palm Kernel oil is polyunsaturated fat. Most of these are omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid which helps to improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure.

Taste and smell

Crude Palm Kernel oil has been described as having a distinctly sweet, yet earthy odor and taste. When refined, the oil becomes tasteless and odorless.

Smoke point

Like coconut oil, Palm Kernel oil is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of 86-104°F(30-40°C). As it relates to its smoke point, Palm Kernel oil has a pretty high one of around 430°F (220°C) which makes it a prime candidate for high-heat cooking methods such as deep-frying.

Pros

Palm Kernel oil is so popular in Africa is because of these reasons:

• It is great for hair- Using Palm Kernel oil on your hair can transform it from thin and brittle, to thick and strong. It can also be used as a conditioner to make hair soft and shiny, and combat dry scalp.• It is great for skin- This oil helps to keep skin looking radiant and young. It can also protect the skin from UV rays and pollutants and treat dark spots and acne scars.• It is versatile- Palm Kernel oil is not only used in cooking and for cosmetic purposes. It can also be used as fuel for home-lamps or as traditional medicine.• It is cheap- Palm trees are grown on a commercial scale for the manufacturing or both palm oil and palm kernel oil. For this reason, it is pretty cheap and easy to access.

Cons

While using Palm Kernel oil has its benefits, some doctors warn against it because:

• It is high in saturated fat- Palm Kernel Oil is made up primarily of saturated fat which can contribute to bad cholesterol and lead to heart disease and obesity.• Many of its health benefits are anecdotal- While there have been many studies and research conducted on the palm oil plant and the health benefits of its oils, there have been an equal amount of rumors and claims that have not been backed by science. • It is bad for the environment- Palm plantations have been linked to wide-scale deforestation across the world which has had many negative effects on the natural environment such as loss of habitat, soil erosion, and pollution.

What’s the best way to use it

Since it has such a high smoke point, Palm Kernel oil can be used for frying and stir-frying. It may also be used for roasting meat and vegetables, grilling, sautéing and searing.

When used in baking, Palm Kernel oil gives baked goods a sweet aroma and enhanced flavor.

Alternatives

The most obvious alternative to Palm Kernel oil is probably palm oil which contains less saturated fat. You may also use coconut oil as they share a similar composition.

If you need an alternative frying oil, go for canola oil or sunflower oil. Peanut oil should give you a similar taste.

Things to note

• Palm Kernel oil has a long shelf life and can resist oxidation under high temperatures. For this reason, it is used commercially in food products such as potato chips and ramen noodles for preservation purposes.• Palm Kernel oil should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It does not need to be refrigerated.• When using Palm Kernel oil on the skin or hair, performing a patch test is a must to see how your skin will react to it.

Conclusion- Healthy or Unhealthy?

• Palm Kernel oil seems to have more health risks than benefits when ingested owing to its high concentration of saturated fat. Thus, you are better off not cooking with palm oil.• When used topically, Palm Kernel oil has the potential to transform your hair and skin, and give you the youthful, radiant glow you desire, without the negative side effects.• You have the option of purchasing Palm Kernel oil solely for your beauty regimen, but if you want an oil that can benefit both your body and your hair/skin, you could try avocado oil or olive oil.

Is Cottonseed Oil Healthy?

When you think of cooking oils, the first thing that comes to your mind is a vegetable oil, or olive oil, and so on. If you have high cholesterol, you then want to know if it’s health. But there’s one more oil that we would like to introduce to you that comes from something that is already a part of your daily life.

This oil is Cottonseed Oil and based on the name you should already be able to predict where it comes from. Cottonseed Oil has been used for generations and has made a comeback in recent years as we try to move towards healthier cooking oil alternatives.

In this article, you will learn more about the history of Cottonseed Oil and what it can do for you. Read on to find out if cottonseed oil is healthy. Let’s get started, shall we?

Where does it come from?

Cottonseed oil comes from the seeds of a variety of cotton plants.

Cotton has been used throughout human history for its fiber. The seeds, on the other hand, were thrown away or used in farming as animal feed and fertilizer.

This practice continued up until around the 1820s when Europe experienced a shortage of fats and oils due to war and bans on trading. Entrepreneurs in the United States saw this as an opportunity to meet the demands of the European market while getting rid of the abundance of cottonseed at hand by crushing cottonseeds to extract their oils.

Though ambitious, this scheme was not very profitable until about 1911 when Crisco came onto the scene to provide a “heart-healthy” substitute for animal fats such as lard and a cheaper substitute to butter.

Cottonseed Oil soon became the most popular oil on the market until it was replaced by soybean oil in the 1950s. It wasn’t till about the early 2000s that Cottonseed Oil made its way back into the cooking oil scene and posed as a healthy cooking oil.

Even though Cottonseed oil isn’t from a vegetable, it is still considered a vegetable oil. It is made by husking the seeds to reveal its kernels which can then be cold-pressed to extract its oil. Commercially, Cottonseed oil is extracted mainly through solvent extraction. It is then refined by degumming to remove impurities, neutralized to separate Free Fatty Acids (FFA), bleached to remove residue, deodorized to get rid of volatile substances and winterized to remove saturated triacylglycerols to prevent solidification and low temperatures.

Cottonseed oil is refined in order to remove a toxin known as gossypol. Though it gives the oil its yellow color and protects it from insects, it is toxic for humans and can suppress sperm production and cause liver damage.

What is it used for?

Cottonseed Oil is a member of many kitchen cupboards. Outside of being used to cook food, Cottonseed Oil is used for:

Hair and Skincare

Cottonseed Oil is rich in Vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidants which can be useful for both hair and skin care.

Cottonseed Oil can be used to hydrate the hair and scalp and prevent and treat dry scalp and dandruff. Applying this oil to your hair can also increase blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. This makes the hair follicles stronger and protects against breakage. Cottonseed Oil can also act as a protective barrier against styling and environmental damage.

Cottonseed Oil can moisturize and soften the skin, which allows it to absorb other topicals easier. It is also helpful in preventing wrinkles and other signs of aging and gives you a nice, bright complexion. Cottonseed Oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which make it perfect for treating ailments such as sunburn.

When applied to scrapes, wounds or burns, the tocopherol in Cottonseed Oil stimulates the growth of new skin cells and speeds up healing. It can also protect against infection.

Treating cancer

While some doctors warn against the use of unrefined Cottonseed Oil which contains gossypol, others recommend it for its use in treating cancer. This toxin can suppress the growth of prostate tissues, which reduces the chance of developing prostate cancer. It is also used as a means of killing cancer cells which are resistant to medication and reducing tumor growth.

Improving heart health

While Cottonseed Oil is rich in saturated fats, it is also rich in unsaturated fats such as gamma-linolenic acid which can lower bad cholesterol levels, and increase good cholesterol levels when used properly. This can, in turn, improve blood pressure and decrease the risk of certain cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Nutritional facts

In one tablespoon of Cottonseed oil, there are:

Calories: 120

Total fat: 14g

Saturated fat: 3.5g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g

Monounsaturated Fat: 2.4g

Carbohydrates: 0g

Protein:0g

Consuming a tablespoon of Cottonseed oil will give you about 32% of your recommended daily intake, or 5mg of Vitamin E. This vitamin is important for cell metabolism and protects against certain cancers. You will also get about 4% of your daily recommended Vitamin K intake. This vitamin is crucial for blood clotting.

Cottonseed oil also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which your body does not produce. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for reducing blood clotting and inflammation. It also helps to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Omega-6 fatty acids help to reduce your chances of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Type of Fat

Cottonseed Oil is made up of three types of fat namely:

1. Saturated Fat: The American Heart Association recommends a limit of 4g of saturated fat per tablespoon of any cooking oil we choose. Cottonseed Oil provides exactly that amount, which is 16% of your recommended daily intake.

2. Polyunsaturated Fat: Cottonseed Oil contains two different types of polyunsaturated fats or PUFAs. According to the USDA, one tablespoon of Cottonseed Oil contains 2% of the recommended daily intake of linolenic acid omega-3 fatty acids and 58% of the recommended daily intake of linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acids.

3. Monounsaturated Fat: Cottonseed Oil only contains a small amount of monounsaturated fats or MUFAs. These are said to boost the HDL, or good cholesterol levels, in the body.

Taste and smell

Cottonseed Oil has a mild odor and taste when freshly pressed. This will not affect the taste of food much.

Smoke point

Cottonseed Oil has a high smoke point of 420°F (or 216°C). This makes it ideal for high heat cooking.

Pros

There are many reasons why Cottonseed Oil became so popular. Some of the most noteworthy reasons include:

• It is a good frying oil- Many frying oils are known to mask the flavor of food. Cottonseed Oil, on the other hand, enhances them. It is also a healthier alternative to many other cooking oils, especially other vegetable oils.

• It is good for the skin- Using Cottonseed Oil can boost skin cell regeneration which will improve the overall appearance of the skin, and can help to heal wounds faster, and address certain skin conditions.

• It can help your hair to grow- Since Cottonseed Oil contains Vitamin E, it can help to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. It can also help to protect your hair against harsh environmental conditions.

Cons

Using Cottonseed Oil has noticeable side effects and negatives that cannot be ignored. These include:

• It can have a negative impact on heart health- Even though it is higher in unsaturated fat, there is still a high level of saturated fat, especially after undergoing hydrogenation. This makes excessive use hazardous to heart health and it can even lead to cardiovascular disease.

• It can contain toxins- Aside from gossypol, Cottonseed Oil can contain harmful carcinogenic toxins from herbicides and pesticides. This is because regulations regarding cotton production vary from country to country, and the source of the Cottonseed Oil you just purchased could very well be one with lax regulations. • It can impact reproductive health- While many of us try to avoid oils that have undergone heavy processing, cold-pressed unrefined Cottonseed oil contains a toxin called gossypol which can decrease sperm production and mobility and lessen your chances of having children.

What’s the best way to use it

Cottonseed Oil’s high smoke point should be taken advantage of for deep-frying and stir-frying.

It may also be used in other high heat applications such as searing, sautéing, grilling and roasting.

You may also use it when baking because it won’t change the flavor of your favorite baked goods or foods.

Alternatives

If you are looking for a good alternative for Cottonseed Oil when it comes to high heat cooking, use canola oil or safflower oil.

For a neutral flavor, go with soybean oil.

Things to note

• Cottonseed Oil should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in an airtight container.

• While cottonseed allergies are rare, you should still perform a patch test to see how your skin will react with it. If you are allergic to cotton, avoid it altogether. Symptoms of an allergic reaction involve swelling of the face, throat or mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It can even trigger an asthma attack.

• Cottonseed Oil only lasts for 4-6 months. In a refrigerator, it can last for up to a year.

Conclusion- Healthy or Unhealthy?

While Cottonseed Oil has its benefits, there are many healthier alternatives out there. Use it as a last resort. Opt for canola oil or olive oil which can give you the same benefits, with less PUFAs and less saturated fat.

Is Wheat Germ Oil Healthy?

While the name “Wheat Germ Oil” isn’t the most appealing, you should know that it can work wonders for you both in and outside the kitchen.

If you are wondering if it is healthy keep reading. You will find the answer to this question and more. So is wheat germ oil healthy?

Where does it come from?

Wheat Germ Oil comes from the germ of the wheat kernel or berry. Though the germ is only 2.5% of the total weight of the kernel, it is nutrient-dense and nourishes the entire plant as it grows. This, therefore, means that the wheat germ is the most nutritious part of the plant.

Approximately 10-14% of the wheat germ is actual oil. It can be extracted through cold pressing to get crude Wheat Germ Oil which is clear at room temperature and becomes a golden yellow to brownish color at higher temperatures. Crude Wheat Germ Oil is chock full of vitamins and nutrients and is the best choice for reaping health benefits.

Another means of extracting the oil is by adding chemical solvents which make refined Wheat Germ Oil. Here, the oil becomes a light yellow but loses some of its nutritional benefits.

What is it used for?

Wheat Germ Oil is used for a variety of purposes by different people all across the world. Some uses of Wheat Germ Oil include:

Hair and skincare

Because Wheat Germ Oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acid, or linoleic acid, it is a great addition to any hair care routine. This fatty acid is hair food, that nourishes and strengthens hair follicles to improve the appearance of your hair. It can also be used to prevent hair loss and address dandruff and dry scalp.

Using Wheat Germ Oil on the skin also has several benefits. The oil contains tocopherols which can help to heal damaged skin by stimulating blood flow and providing nourishment. If you have inflammation and irritation as a result of skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, Wheat Germ oil can reduce swelling and have a soothing effect.

The antioxidants in Wheat Germ Oil can also reduce or prevent signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles by reducing oxidative stress and boosting collagen production to form new skin cells. This is also helpful in improving the appearance of scars, or preventing them altogether. It can also prevent against sun damage and give the skin a better texture.

Plus, it works great as a makeup remover that won’t clog your pores!

Promoting heart health

Many of the oils we use are full of saturated fats which are said to be bad for heart health. However, Wheat Germ Oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which are useful for lowering cholesterol levels and promoting blood circulation.

Lowered cholesterol can help to prevent obesity, along with heart conditions and stroke. It can also help to decrease blood pressure. Improved blood circulation increases rates of healing in the body and can help to regulate the nervous system.

Reducing blood sugar

Wheat Germ Oil is rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps the immune system to function properly and also regulates blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes, adding Wheat Germ to your diet can help to control your insulin and glucose levels and by extent help you to manage your diabetes.

Improving brain health

Wheat Germ Oil is also rich in antioxidants along with Vitamins A and E which are crucial for proper brain health. These 3 components of Wheat Germ Oil help to eliminate free radicals in neural pathways and prevent the deposition of beta-amyloid plaque which has a negative impact on cognitive health. This, in turn, boosts memory and focus and lowers your chances of developing a neurodegenerative disease.

Boosting energy

If you play sports, then you might want to pay close attention to this use of Wheat Germ Oil.

Since it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as octacosanol, the body can transform it into energy that can give you an added boost! And, since it improves blood circulation, it provides more oxygen and energy to the muscles which increase output.

Some other uses of Wheat Germ Oil include preventing birth defects such as miscarriage and impotence, regulating the nervous system and repairing body tissue.

But enough of its uses, let’s take a look at the nutritional facts of Wheat Germ Oil.

Nutritional facts

One tablespoon of Wheat germ Oil contains (based on a 2000 calorie diet):

Calories: 120
Total fat: 13.5g
Saturated Fat: 2.6g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8.4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2.1g
Carbohydrate: 0g
Protein: 0g

Since there are no carbohydrates in Wheat Germ Oil, there is no starch, fiber or sugars. On the glycemic index, it has a score of 0, which means that it will not affect your blood sugar levels.

There is also no protein but you have the option of adding it to protein shakes to make up for it while benefitting from the healthy fat Wheat Germ Oil provides.

Wheat Germ Oil is rich in Vitamin E. In fact, a single serving will give you 135% of your recommended daily intake. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps to eliminate free radicals which protect against certain cancers and dementia.

Vitamin K is also found in Wheat Germ Oil which is important for blood clotting and regulating blood calcium. This is only 4% of the recommended daily intake.

Type of Fat

Wheat Germ Oil is higher in unsaturated fat (polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat) than it is in saturated fats. As you may already know, that is a great thing.

It is comprised of approximately 60% unsaturated fat, of which 88% percent is linoleic acid, 18% oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid, and 18% saturated fat, mainly palmitic acid.

Taste and smell

Unrefined Wheat Germ Oil has a cereal-type or grainy smell and an oily, wheat-like flavor. When refined, it is almost odorless and flavorless.

Smoke point

Wheat Germ Oil has a very low smoke point of 194°F (or 90°C) which makes it unsuitable for cooking.

Pros

Now that you have learned about the properties and uses of Wheat Germ Oil, it is time to weigh the pros and cons of adding it to your diet. Some of the pros include:

• It can improve the appearance of skin and hair- Wheat Germ Oil is full of vitamins and nutrients that can help to nourish and restore the hair and skin, thereby improving its appearance. It can also treat underlying skin and hair conditions such as dry skin and scalp, hair loss and eczema.

• It is low in saturated fat- Since it is low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat, substituting it for another oil can help to reduce cholesterol and improve overall health.

• It can boost body functions- Wheat Germ Oil can boost brain functions and prevent degenerative disease. It can also provide extra energy and reduce sluggishness.

Cons

Using Wheat Germ Oil also has some disadvantages. These include:

• It can cause an allergic reaction- If you have a wheat allergy, you are automatically allergic to Wheat Germ Oil. Symptoms can be mild such as a rash or hives but can be as severe as anaphylaxis.

• It can reduce blood sugar- While this may be a good thing for some diabetics, others who are already on hyperglycemic medication can experience a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels when Wheat Germ Oil is used regularly. The same goes for blood pressure

.• It has low heat stability- Because of its low heat stability, this oil cannot be used in high heat cooking. This limits the number of ways it can be incorporated into the diet.

What’s the best way to use it

Since it has such a low smoke point and low oxygen stability, cooking with Wheat Germ Oil is a bad idea. That means no frying, no stir-frying, no grilling, not even a sauté.

The best use for it in the kitchen is as a drizzle for vegetables, as a marinade for fish or other meat, over paste or in a smoothie or shake.

Alternatives

For hair, you can substitute jojoba oil, coconut oil and avocado oil for Wheat Germ Oil because they are just as rich in Vitamin E.

Flax Seed Oil can be added to smoothies and salads instead of Wheat Germ Oil.

Olive oil can provide similar benefits, and it can even be used for actual cooking.

Things to note

• Cold-pressed Wheat Germ Oil has a shelf life of about 6 months when stored in a cool, dark place. When refined, the shelf life is extended.

• Since it is so thick, it has to be added to a carrier oil to reap certain hair and skin benefits. This will allow it to be absorbed easier.

• Doing a patch test is important if you are unsure about how your body will react to this oil

Conclusion- Healthy or Unhealthy?

One cannot dispute the health benefits of Wheat Germ Oil. But, remember that it is still fat and it can have negative impacts on health if used excessively.

If you are looking for an all-purpose oil, Wheat Germ Oil is probably not the best option since you can’t use it for high heat cooking. However, you could always get supplements to take orally to receive its benefits.

Is Sunflower Oil Good For You?

Sunflower Oil: What’s the scoop?

Sunflowers are a beautiful addition to any home garden, but did you know that they can be a great addition to your kitchen? Not in a vase or anything like that, but in its oil form.

Sunflower oil is said to have many health and cosmetic benefits and works well as a cooking oil. But how true are these claims?

We will be giving you an inside scoop on Sunflower Oil and answer all your burning questions in this article. Let’s start with where it comes from.

Where does it come from?

Sunflower Oil is made using the seeds from the Sunflower plant. Done mainly in Russia, Argentina, and Ukraine, the oil is extracted using different methods.

One method, the cold-pressing method, involves removing the hulls and breaking the seeds into smaller pieces. They are then run through rollers or rotating cylinders to squeeze the oil out of the seeds. This produces extra virgin Sunflower Oil which may or may not be refined before it hits supermarket shelves. It is golden at this stage and cannot handle high temperatures.

Another method known as warm pressing is similar to the cold-pressing method, however, the seeds are heated slightly before they go through the rollers. This increases the viscosity of the oil in the seeds which makes extraction easier. Although more oil is expelled, the taste is different, sometimes slightly roasted.

Some companies extract Sunflower Oil using a chemical solvent known as hexane. This may be done in the initial stages, or after cold/warm-pressing the seeds. This process expels a larger amount of oil from the seeds. Afterward, the oil that is expelled is boiled so that the hexane is evaporated. It is then processed with lye to remove the chemical taste, then steamed and bleach to remove the lye and to give it a more pleasant taste and color.

This is also known as refined sunflower oil which is more heat stable and can withstand high-temperature cooking. It is much lighter in color and has fewer nutrients than crude Sunflower Oil.

What is it used for?

Sunflower oil is popular in Eastern European cuisine as a salad topper and even a butter. Many snacks have also been made using this oil. But the uses of Sunflower Oil does not just stop there. It has many applications outside of the kitchen. These include:

Hair and skincare

Sunflower Oil is perfect for treating dry scalp and reducing product build-up. It can also stimulate hair growth and preventing balding by increasing blood circulation when massaged into the scalp.

Adding Sunflower Oil to your hair care regimen deeply nourishes and hydrates hair, strengthens follicles, prevents hair breakage and reduces fizziness. It is also not too greasy and won’t weigh hair down, giving you noticeable shine and bounciness.

Sunflower Oil is rich in Vitamin A, C, D, and E which contribute to keeping the skin hydrated and protects it from the harmful UV rays from the sun and pollutants in the air. These vitamins, along with fatty acids, also help to regenerate new skin cells and eliminate acne-causing bacteria.

Omega-6 fatty acids in Sunflower oil also help to combat inflammation and roughness to enhance the skin’s appearance and can also help to prevent premature signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. If you have eczema, using Sunflower Oil both topically and orally can result in near remission of the condition.

Improving oral health

Sunflower Oil is great for oil pulling. It can even reduce and prevent plaque-related gingivitis. Sunflower Oil can also fight against C. Albicans. This is a bacteria which is the most common cause of infection in people.

Lowering cholesterol

Sunflower Oil is on the American Heart Association’s list of best fats as it has less saturated fats and more unsaturated fats. When used to replace other fats and oils in your diet, Sunflower Oil helps to lower the LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL levels (good cholesterol) in your body. This, in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Boosting immune systems and energy levels

The Vitamin E in Sunflower Oil directly helps to boost the immune system because it acts as an antioxidant in the body. This helps to ward off disease and infection which in turn helps to keep you feeling your best physically.

Since Sunflower Oil is not made up primarily of saturated fats, you won’t feel sluggish or tired after consuming it. Instead, its unsaturated fat content will help you to feel energized.

Preventing cancer

While more research is needed to find out the extent of this benefit, Sunflower oil has great potential in cancer prevention. Antioxidants, such as tocopherols, contained within Sunflower Oil helps to eliminate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are dangerous because they are capable of transforming healthy cells into dangerous cancer cells. By reducing the number of free radicals in the body, you are lowering your chances of developing cancer in the future.

Nutritional facts

One tablespoon of Sunflower Oil contains:

• Calories: 120

• Calories from fat: 122

• Total Fat: 14g

• Saturated fat: 1.8g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 0g

• Proteins: 0g

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K are also present in Sunflower Oil.

▪ Vitamin A helps to prevent cataracts, increase collagen production and boost the immune system.

▪ Vitamin B helps to promote a healthy nervous system and aids in digestion.

▪ Vitamin C helps to repair body tissue, maintain bones and teeth and prevent heart disease

▪ Vitamin D is useful for maintaining healthy teeth and bones, absorbing calcium in the body and boosting one’s mood.

▪ Vitamin E helps in keeping the skin and hair healthy, preventing cancer, and preventing cancer.

▪ Vitamin K is important for promoting blood clotting and healing wounds.

Minerals such as selenium are also present in Sunflower Oil. This acts as an antioxidant which helps to boost the body’s immunity against chronic disease and fight inflammation.

Type of Fat

The fat content of Sunflower Oil is dependent on the type of Sunflower Oil that is produced. This is dependent on genetic and the climate in which the sunflowers are grown. However, for all three types, there are more unsaturated fats than saturated fats. These types include:

• High Oleic- 82% oleic acid

• Medium Oleic- 69% oleic acid

• High Linoleic- 21% oleic acid

Taste and smell

Unrefined Sunflower Oil has a mild taste and fatty odor. When refined, it is both tasteless and odorless.

Smoke point

Unrefined Sunflower Oil has a smoke point of 225°F (or 107°C). This makes it unsuitable for high-temperature cooking. However, when refined, the smoke point increases to 450°F (or 232°C)

Pros

Here are some reasons why you should add Sunflower Oil to your cupboard:

• It can withstand high temperatures- This makes it a great addition to your cupboard because you can use it for every style of cooking.

• It is low in saturated fats- This makes Sunflower Oil heart-healthy as it helps to lower cholesterol and prevent excessive weight gain.

• It is inexpensive- Sunflower Oil is relatively inexpensive and also easy to access. This means that adding it to your diet won’t have a significant impact on your budget.

Cons

Adding Sunflower Oil to your cupboard can be a bad idea since:

• It can cause an allergic reaction- Before adding any natural oils to your skincare regimen, it is always advised that you perform a skin patch test approximately 48 hours before. If you are already allergic to plants in the Asteraceae/ Compositae family such as daisies, ragweed, marigold, and chrysanthemums, there is a high chance that you might suffer an allergic reaction to Sunflower Oil.

• It can worsen diabetes- If you have diabetes, you should avoid consuming too much Sunflower Oil as it can increase fasting insulin along with blood sugar. This can lead to atherosclerosis.

What’s the best way to use it

Since refined Sunflower Oil has such a high smoke point, it can be used for frying and stir-frying. Using it won’t affect the flavor too much so it can be used with a variety of foods.

It can also be used in baking as an ingredient, or to grease your pan or grill.

Alternatives

Safflower oil has a similar profile to that of Sunflower Oil and can be a great alternative. You may substitute it for vegetableoil, canola oil, and rapeseed oil for a similar flavor.

Other alternatives which provide the same or similar fatty acid benefits include fish oil and hemp seed oil

Things to note

• The natural shelf life of sunflower oil is one year. To avoid nutrient loss and reduction in its quality, you should store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or in a dark-colored glass.

• If you are pregnant or nursing, you should probably avoid using sunflower. This is because there has not been enough research about whether it is good or bad for women in this condition.

Conclusion- Healthy or Unhealthy?

Incorporating Sunflower Oil into your diet can be a healthy move especially if you suffer from obesity or are at risk of developing chronic disease. However, it is important to bear in mind that excessive amounts of Sunflower Oil in the diet can quickly have adverse effects due to the high concentration of omega-6 fatty acids.

When consuming Sunflower Oil, you should monitor how your body reacts to it. If you feel energized and healthy, then keep on using it. But, if you notice that your cholesterol levels have gone up, and you begin to feel sluggish, then maybe you should reduce consumption or even remove it from your diet.

Uses For Beef Tallow That May Surprise You

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9ZzJF5_xw[/embedyt]

When it comes to eating meat, the more health-conscious among us go for the leaner cuts and toss or avoid the fattier parts, right? With beef, it is no different.

But maybe beef tallow has been getting a bad rap over the years. Maybe it is something we should pay more attention to.

Learn more about how beef tallow can become a part of your everyday life and so much more in this article.

Where does it come from?

Historically, beef tallow was a traditional cooking fat used in households across the world. However, with the introduction of vegetable shortening as a potentially healthier option, beef tallow was set aside and its use declined rapidly in the 20th century.

The word tallow refers to the rendered fat of an animal. Beef tallow is therefore rendered fat from a cow. The fat that is rendered is called suet, which is the hard, white fatty layer that surrounds organs such as the loin and kidneys.

Beef Tallow is similar in appearance to lard (pork fat) and is shaped like a big stick of butter. It is solid at room temperature and melts at about 100-118°F (or 38-48°C). It also looks like a coconut oil and butter hybrid; however, it has a dry, waxy texture.

Beef tallow has been making quite the comeback this past decade with the movement towards traditional foods and diets. More and more persons have become interested in this fat, including you.

Uses For Beef Tallow

Beef tallow has been used mainly for cooking. In fact, big-name fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Popeye’s and Wendy’s all used to use this fat to cook their French fries and onion rings. But beef tallow’s uses are not limited to just cooking. Here are some other uses of beef tallow that may even surprise you:

Skincare

Animal fat on your skin, sounds crazy right? It actually isn’t because beef tallow is full of CLAs (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can cure blisters and cracked skin from tight shoes, prevent and treat diaper rash in babies and soothe skin irritation caused by chickenpox or poison ivy.

Beef tallow also matches the fatty acid profile of the cells in our skin which make it perfect for keeping them hydrated. Balms, moisturizers and makeup removers have also been made using beef tallow.

Making soaps

Many of the skincare products that we use, including soaps, contain chemicals and harsh fragrances which gets absorbed into our bloodstream. They can also dehydrate the skin, leaving it dry and stripped of its natural oils. Tallow was also used in many high-end shaving soaps back in the day.

Beef Tallow soap can also be used as a laundry detergent which is much gentler on clothes than many of the top brands.

Candle making

Tallow is a cheap alternative to wax candles that have been used by people all over the world to provide light and heating to their homes. Even the poorest of society used what was known as a tallow drip, which consisted of a lit strip of cloth in a saucer of tallow grease.

Making banknotes

Not sure if you were aware, but there was a huge uproar created by the United Kingdom’s Vegan, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim community when it was discovered that their banknotes contained tallow. Tallow is used to make the banknotes waterproof, durable and anti-static.

It was also revealed that the currencies of at least 23 other countries, including Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, contained tallow in their polymers.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4w5lSTIFJQ[/embedyt]

Nutritional facts

In 100 grams of pure beef tallow, you will find:

▪ Calories: 115

▪ Total Fat: 12.8g

▪ Saturated Fat: 6.4g

▪ Monounsaturated Fat: 5.4g

▪ Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.51g

▪ Cholesterol: 14mg

▪ Sodium: 0g

▪ Carbohydrates: 0g

▪ Protein: 0g

▪ Omega-3: 0.08g

▪ Omega-6: 0.4g

NB: Because beef tallow is a pure source of fat, it has no protein or carbohydrates.

Beef tallow contains Vitamins D and E, and trace amounts of a mineral known as selenium. (Selenium is known for its ability to boost immunity and reduce inflammation). Cows raised on pasture will generally contain more vitamins.

Type of Fat

Beef tallow is, of course, animal fat. It is made up of 50% saturated fat, 42% monounsaturated fat and 4% polyunsaturated fat.

Taste and smell

Once the tallow is rendered, it will have a mild animal-smell, but it is not overpowering

Beef tallow is loved for adding a rich flavor to foods. It has an umami taste.

Smoke point

Beef tallow is one of the most heat-stable cooking fats around. It has a high smoke point of a little over 400°F (or 250°C).

In fact, it has such good oxidative stability that it is sometimes added to soybean oil to improve its stability. This comes from its low polyunsaturated fat content. Polyunsaturated fat consists of multiple double bonds which make fatty acids more susceptible to oxidation. Since it has less, it can take it the heat.

Can Beef Tallow Increase Your LDL?

Pros

Using beef tallow for whatever purpose has many benefits. For example:

• It is relatively affordable- The affordability of beef tallow as fat comes from the fact that it is a sustainable fat. This is because it is already a byproduct of cattle rearing which means that there is no need for extra resources or equipment to produce it. And, unlike palm oil, corn, and soybean oil, there is less strain on the environment since no additional land has to be cleared, no more animals have to lose their natural habitat, no more land gets degraded by pesticides and poor farming practices and no more water gets polluted. While prices vary depending on location, beef tallow can be cheaper than many other cooking oils.

• It is versatile- Beef tallow has more than one application than just in the kitchen. When you purchase this fat, you can use it to cleanse your clothes or take care of your skin. You also have the option of using it to make candles or as grease.

• It is rich in CLAs- This is a kind of naturally occurring trans fat which, according to some studies, have proven to help burn fat. Other shows that it has cancer-preventing properties.

• It’s great for your skin- Beef tallow was probably used a body butter by your ancestors. When applied topically, it is easily absorbed into the skin and helps to nourish and repair.

• It helps to absorb other vitamins- Vitamins A, D, E and K need fat to be absorbed in the body which in turn boost the immune system.

Cons

Using beef tallow also has some disadvantages. Some of these include:

• It is high in saturated fat- Consuming a lot of beef tallow over time can lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels which can, in turn, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Smell- In its pure form, it can have a slightly meat-smell which some persons may find off-putting when it is being used for cosmetic purposes.

What’s the best way to use it?

Though frying and deep frying are not healthy ways to cook food, beef tallow is amazing as a frying oil due to its high smoke point and the ability to add extra flavor to food. It can also be used to sauté, sear or stir fry and can give vegetables and meat an appetizing smell and yummy taste.

When baking meat, it can give it additional flavor. Beef tallow can also make pie crusts extra flaky, and can even be used to bake burger buns that are soft, yet sturdy.

Alternatives

If you run out of beef tallow, the best alternative is probably lard, which comes from pigs. Not a pork fan? You can always just use butter or ghee.

Depending on what you’re making, you can use shortening, rapeseed oil or vegetable oil.

Things to note

• Beef tallow is non-perishable and can be stored at room temperature for quite some time on your kitchen counter. It can last years in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration should be a last resort.

• It should be stored away from sunlight in colored or opaque containers to limit expose. This can decrease its shelf life.

• Beef tallow is reusable. After frying, you can strain it and wait for it too cool and reharden.

• Stored tallow should not be stuck with your fingers or dirty utensils as this can introduce microbes and bacteria which will grow and cause it to spoil.

• If the smell is off-putting, you have the option of adding essential oils or herbs.

• The source of the beef your tallow comes from is an important consideration. Some farmers use antibiotics and growth hormones which ends up in the cow’s fat. Aim for 100% grass-fed cows from trusted butchers.

Conclusion- Healthy or Unhealthy?

Tallow can be used for cooking once it is used in reasonable amounts. While it can be used every day, it is best to go with healthier options or mix it up a little. So, if you use beef tallow to make your french fries and hamburger today, maybe tomorrow you can use olive oil to stir fry those veggies.