Sunflower oil is high in the essential vitamin E and low in saturated fat. The two most common types of sunflower oil are linoleic and high oleic. Linoleic sunflower oil is common cooking oil that has high levels of polyunsaturated fat. It is also known for having a clean taste and low levels of Trans fat. High oleic sunflower oils are classified as having monounsaturated levels of 80% and above. Newer versions of sunflower oil have been developed as a hybrid containing linoleic acid. They have monounsaturated levels lower than other oleic sunflower oils. The hybrid oil also has lower saturated fat levels than linoleic sunflower oil.
In food preparation
Refined sunflower oil is used for low-to-extremely-high-temperature cooking. As frying oil, it behaves as a typical vegetable triglyceride. Unrefined sunflower oil is a traditional salad dressing in Eastern European cuisines. Sunflower oil is also an ingredient in sunflower butter.
Methods for cooking snack foods, such as potato chips or French fries, may use sunflower oil.
Seed meal
Extraction of sunflower oil leaves behind the crushed seeds, typically referred to as seed meal, which is rich in protein and dietary fiber and used as an animal feed, fertilizer or fuel.
Supplements
Taking sunflower oil dietary supplements is not an effective treatment for eczema.