The Truth about Sunflower Oil: Is it Really Bad for You?
By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Malavika Athavale
Last updated: Oct 7, 2025 Published on: Jul 26, 2023
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By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
Table of Contents
Beautiful yellow sunflower fields are a delight. It is from such blossoms’ seeds from where sunflower oil is derived. This bright-hued oil is a regular feature in supermarkets. But what goes into making it? Is it truly a health must-have? Or should we worry about its usage?
To answer these questions, let’s dive into an exploration of sunflower oil. We’ll look at its origin, nutritional makeup, pros and cons, and how it fares against other oils.
Did you know ?
Sunflower oils are extracted from the seeds of the Sunflower plant which is scientifically know as Helianthus annuus1. This oil is considered the second most widely oil in healthy diets due to its high nutritional contents2. It contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, flavonoids, amino acids, antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids and fibers, which contributes to its various health benefits1. This is the only oil which has 46% of oil and 16% proteins, which makes it to rule both the market which has sell oil and proteins separately3.
Originating from North America, sunflowers were used by Indigenous people for thousands of years. Widespread usage of sunflower oil started in the 18th Century, after reaching Russia. They made use of sunflower seeds for food, ornaments, and medicinal purposes4.
To extract sunflower oil from sunflower seeds, it should undergo either cold-press method or refined method.
Did you know sunflower oil comes in different types? Let’s look at those.
Each type of sunflower oil offers unique benefits. High-oleic oil survives high heat, while high-linoleic oil doesn’t do well when heated. Mid-oleic oil offers a bit of both: stability under heat and a good mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats9.
Here’s a quick comparison of their key traits9:
Let’s delve into what makes sunflower oil a nutrient-dense option10.
From what I’ve seen, I have observed that incorporating sunflower oil into your diet might have positive effects on your lipid profile, specifically by reducing plasma triacylglycerol levels19.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, BAMS, MD (Ayu.)
Sunflower oil, boasting key nutrients, offers quite a few health benefits.
High-oleic sunflower oil, rich in monounsaturated fats, is linked with heart health. Some studies credit these fats with normalizing cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, hence lowering the risk of heart disease11. Although further studies are needed to confirm this benefit.
Sunflower oil also helps skin care. It’s rich in vitamins, proteins and fatty acids10. Hence it can act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, that may help protect the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, provide hydration and soften the skin12.
Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin E, which aids the body’s defense system. It beefs up immunity and may help protect against infections, yet more research should be done13.
Based on my experience, I have seen that including sunflower oil in your diet may help protect your stomach from the side effects of certain medications. This is likely because sunflower oil can enhance your body’s natural anti-inflammatory response, which can reduce inflammation in the stomach19.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
But beware, sunflower oil also has potential pitfalls. Specifically, the high-linoleic variant carries some risks.
Sunflower oil has several rivals on supermarket shelves. How does it compare?
Olive oil tops the health chart among cooking oils. Compared to sunflower oil, it stands up better to heating. It also boasts heart-health by lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol16.
Canola is also considered as a healthy oil but it has a chemical substance called hexane which is added while extracting the oil, which affects the oil’s stability by removing omega 3 and producing the trans-fat. Even this oil cannot withstand over heating like sunflower oil. But in the market cold-pressed oil or virgin canola oil are available, which are very expensive17. Hence both the oils have same effects only and we need to know how to use them to gain better health benefits.
Coconut oil, despite its saturated fat content, doesn’t harm your heart if eaten sparingly and as part of a varied diet. However, there are few studies showing that it causes harm to heart health17.
American Heart Associates recommends following cooking oils to be included in diet for better heart health18:
However, there are a few measures that need to be taken while consuming them18.
Sunflower oil is a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s rich in nutrients and good fats. On the other hand, certain types (like the high-linoleic version) have potential downsides. The secret lies in knowing which type of sunflower oil you’re dealing with. High-oleic sunflower oil is a healthier choice, offering heart-helping monounsaturated fats. But traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil, rich in omega-6 fats and with less heat stability, isn’t its equal. So, choose wisely! Remember, mixing oils in your kitchen can diversify your diet’s nutrition and health benefit profile.
It depends on the sunflower oil type. High-oleic sunflower oil, rich in monounsaturated fats and stable under heat, is a healthier pick. But traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil, though filled with essential fats, is not as heat-resistant.
When compared to high-oleic sunflower oil, olive oil provides similar heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. But, olive oil, especially the extra-virgin kind, also offers a wide range of beneficial plant compounds and nutrients. This makes it an overall healthier choice.
High-linoleic sunflower oil is high in omega-6 fats. Too much of these can trigger inflammation, which can be a springboard for many health problems. Therefore, it is always recommended to consume in moderation.
Sunflower oil can be a healthy choice when used in moderation. It’s rich in unsaturated fats, particularly omega-6 fatty acids, which can benefit heart health when consumed as part of a balanced diet. However, it’s important to choose high-quality, cold-pressed oils and avoid excessive consumption due to their high-calorie content.
Sunflower oil can help improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol when used as part of a balanced diet. Moderation and choosing healthier cooking methods, like baking or sautéing, are key to maximizing its benefits.
Sunflower oil is beneficial for hair health due to its high content of vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. It helps nourish the scalp, strengthen hair strands, and protect against damage from environmental stressors. Applying sunflower oil to hair and scalp regularly can promote shine and overall hair health. Although more research is needed to prove this benefit.
Sunflower oil is not directly related to weight loss but when used in moderation as part of a balanced diet, it can support weight loss due to its healthy fat content. Moreover, adopting a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding processed food high in calories can help maintain or reduce the weight.
Sunflower oil is primarily composed of unsaturated fats, with very low levels of saturated fat. It is considered a healthier cooking oil option due to its high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated fats.
Sunflower oil provides essential fatty acids, such as omega-6 and omega-9, which support cell structure and overall body function. It can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, promote heart health, and contribute to skin and hair health when used in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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