Characteristics

• Growing plant: Sunflower, Maurelle, Heliotrope, Grand-soleil, Garden Sun, Rock Rose
• Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
• Botanical Family: Asteraceae (formerly Composaceae)
• Origin (country where the vegetable oil is grown): Russia, Ukraine, Argentina, Tunisia, France, China, North America
• Part of plant: Seed
• Oxidative potential: Sensitive

Organoleptic properties

The botanical and organoleptic characteristics may vary according to the production conditions (country, sunshine, organic production, etc.).

This article presents the "classic" sunflower oil called "linoleic", i.e. more loaded with omega-6.

• Colour: yellow
• Odour: inconspicuous
• Texture: fluid, penetrating and "dry" feeling
• Taste: fairly neutral

Fatty acid composition

The composition of vegetable oil is strongly influenced by the conditions under which it is produced.

There are two types of sunflower oil:

• the "classic" oil (mainly composed of omega-6)
• the "oleic" oil, rich in omega 9, which is much more stable and suitable for cooking.

Monounsaturated GA:

• 26% to 32% oleic acid (omega 9)

Polyunsaturated FAs:

• 64% to 66% linoleic acid (omega 6)

Saturated fats:

• 5% to 6% palmitic acid
• 4 to 5% stearic acid

Other active ingredient:

• Vitamin E (alpha tocopherols)
• Phytosterols

Nutritional aspect

The high omega-6 content of sunflower oil, combined with omega-9 and vitamin E, theoretically confers antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, cardiovascular protective and immune-stimulating benefits.

However, sunflower oil has a very unbalanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio compared to AFSSA (French Food Safety Agency) recommendations.

There are also reservations about omega-6.

If they are present in excessive amounts and are not compensated by the presence of omega-3, they can become pro-inflammatory and allergenic and cause an increase in triglyceride levels.

It is therefore preferable to reduce the consumption of sunflower oil or supplement it with linseed or camelina oil.

Advantages

• Hypocholesterolaemic
• Cardiovascular protector
• Immune system stimulant
• Laxative, purgative
• Nervous system protector
• Anti-inflammatory

Indications 

• Arteriosclerosis (in prevention, in combination with an adapted diet and medical follow-up)
• Atherosclerosis (with linolenic acid, in combination with an adapted diet and medical follow-up)
• High cholesterol
• Constipation
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cardiovascular disease (prevention)

Precautionary measures

People who are allergic to sunflower seeds should avoid sunflower oil, which may contain allergenic proteins.

This fact sheet describes one type of sunflower oil, "linoleic" oil, which is mainly composed of omega-6 fatty acids.

Unlike so-called "oleic" sunflower oil (rich in omega 9), linoleic oil does not withstand cooking well.

It is therefore best not to use it for cooking.

Once opened, keep the jar in the refrigerator.