Safflower oil is extracted from the safflower seed ( Carthamus tinctorius ), an oilseed plant well known for its use in cooking and also for coloring and flavoring food.
This oil, used in recipes or taken as a supplement, can provide several health benefits, being an attraction for those looking to lose weight, improve metabolism, take better care of food and even hair, since the product can also be used for aesthetic purposes.
Check all the benefits in the text below!
Contents
What is safflower oil?
Safflower oil is an oil extracted from the seed of a plant that bears the same name and which belongs to the species Carthamus tinctorius , from the arid regions of India.
It is used in food preparation, but can also be taken as a supplement, in capsules. Another utility applies to the use of oil in cosmetics, and it is possible to find it in the composition of hair creams.
Because it has properties such as vitamins K, E, omega 6 and omega 9, it contributes to a series of health benefits, as it is able to fight free radicals and prevent the body against cardiovascular diseases, for example.
For many people, the supplement is an ally for weight loss, as it can help in burning localized fats.
What is safflower oil for?
Safflower oil can be used in food, as an option for culinary use, or as a supplement (in capsules). Thus, it helps to improve health through nutrition and is also a reinforcement for those seeking aesthetic benefits. Due to its properties, it is a versatile option for those who want to be healthier.
Its uses may include:
Cooking
Safflower oil is a product with a high smoke point, which means it can be an option for preparing hot dishes. Even when heated, it is able to preserve the nutrients it contains.
It can therefore be used as an alternative to soy oil and saturated fats of animal origin. Because it has a neutral flavor, it is an option for several recipes.
Supplementation (capsule)
Safflower oil supplements are sold in capsules, generally used by people who want to obtain the benefits that the component can provide, such as antioxidant action, prevention against cardiovascular diseases and weight loss.
These products are often sold in association with other properties. Some capsules also have coconut oil, chia oil and vitamin D, for example.
Esthetic
In addition to being a healthier option in the kitchen, safflower oil can also be used for beauty. There are cosmetics that use this type of oil for hair products, to help strengthen and hydrate the hair.
Read more: 8 benefits of detox juice that go beyond detox
Properties of safflower oil
Safflower oil is considered an oil rich in nutritional properties, as it has a series of nutrients that bring health benefits. The main ones include:
Omega 6 and 9
Safflower oil is rich in fats good for health, being composed of 80% linolenic acid (omega 6), 12% oleic acid (omega 9).
They assist in the fat burning process and help to protect the heart, as they contribute to the control of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Vitamin E
The vitamin E present in safflower oil, has a strong antioxidant role in the body.
It is also responsible for helping to fight free radicals, maintaining the health of cells and helping to prevent various changes, such as heart disease, cancer , Alzheimer’s, muscle degeneration etc.
Read more: Does Collagen Work? Understand how absorption occurs
Vitamina K
It is a fundamental vitamin to help blood clotting, in addition to the formation and maintenance of bone health.
What are the benefits?
Safflower oil is used for different purposes, both in food, as oil in natural extract, and in capsules, in the form of supplementation.
It is attractive to many people because of the properties it has and the benefits it can provide, such as anti-inflammatory action and strengthening of the immune system.
Get to know more of the main ones:
Provides greater satiety
For those who want to lose weight, this is one of the most interesting benefits of safflower oil, as it is linked to weight loss.
It occurs due to the mechanism that the oil activates in the body, slowing gastric emptying and reducing hunger. Thus, the person feels satisfied for a longer time and reduces caloric intake.
Although it seems to be an excellent benefit, it is important to talk to a nutritionist to understand what is the best way to split meals and the ideal time between each one.
Read more: Chia (seed, oil): benefits, how to use, recipes, lose weight?
Helps control cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Safflower oil can help control bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels, as it contains properties such as phytosterols and omega 9, which help regulate the amount of these fats in the body.
Consequently, the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications becomes reduced.
It is good for skin and hair
The benefits of safflower oil also include results for appearance. The consumption of the product can help make the skin and hair more beautiful, due to the vitamins, essential oils and other properties that it has.
It can therefore help to prevent the appearance of acne, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, it is possible to find cosmetics that add it to the composition.
For hair, safflower oil offers benefits such as hydration, strengthening and healthy hair growth. For the skin, it is beneficial because it is non-comedogenic, which means that it does not cause clogged pores and acne.
Has antioxidant action
The properties present in safflower oil, such as omega 6 and 9, have antioxidant action and, therefore, help to fight free radicals.
In this sense, they can combat the premature aging of cells and help in the prevention of various diseases.
Therefore, safflower oil is an important ally against aging and tissue recovery.
Read more: What are the health benefits of green tea?
It is anti-inflammatory
Its anti-inflammatory action is also related to the antioxidant properties, which help the body to defend itself against inflammatory processes that may occur.
Helps control blood sugar levels
There are studies that indicate that safflower oil can also help control blood sugar levels. The research that brought this evidence was carried out with a group of women already in post- menopause and with type 2 diabetes .
They received a daily supplement of safflower oil for 36 weeks and, after that period, had more positive results in controlling sugar levels and an increased sensitivity to insulin.
It is good for the immune system
Safflower oil can help to strengthen the body’s defense system by containing properties that help in various biochemical processes.
This helps in the functioning of the immune system, which in the presence of invading microorganisms, combats them more efficiently.
Does safflower oil lose weight?
It helps . One of the attractions of safflower oil is the possibility of acting on weight loss. This can happen when the person leads a healthy life and uses it as a complement, since it contributes to weight loss by having properties that provide satiety and speed up the metabolism.
This is because safflower oil has properties that form a lipid profile, such as omega 6 and 9, generating a higher concentration of free fatty acids in the body and increasing energy expenditure.
Thus, consumption of the product helps in burning “brown” fat, a type of “good” fat that generates heat for vital organs.
When the metabolism starts to burn this type of fat, the body needs to look for another source of energy, also burning the localized fats.
Omega 9, in turn, helps to decrease the production of cortisol, a hormone that contributes to the storage of adipose tissue in the abdominal region.
Therefore, safflower oil can help with weight loss.
However, it is important to always remember that there are no miracle ingredients capable of losing weight without any effort or change of habit. Safflower oil should be used within a routine that includes healthy eating and exercise.
Read more: Tips to change habits and lose weight with health
How to take safflower oil?
Safflower oil can be taken 2 to 3 times a day or according to the guidance of the doctor or nutritionist. It is recommended that the capsules be taken before the main meals (lunch and dinner) and / or 1 hour before training.
For better training results, safflower oil can be consumed along with carbohydrates .
What is the ideal amount of safflower oil per day?
The ideal amount can vary according to each person’s diet and individual needs. It is important to keep in mind that, despite all the benefits of the product, the amount of fats acquired in the diet should not be high, considering that oil consumption is not the only source of lipids.
Therefore, before starting to take, it is important to talk to a nutritionist, so that he can make an individual assessment and recommend the right dosage.
In any case, it is possible to rely on a general recommendation, consuming a maximum of 2 teaspoons of the oil or two capsules per day.
Is safflower oil bad for you?
In general, when used properly and in the amount instructed by the nutritionist, safflower oil does not usually cause side effects or harm.
In excess, however, it can cause some symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
If you have any symptoms or side effects after using the supplement or pure oil, you should stop using it and see a doctor.
Even so, people in some specific health conditions should be more careful when using supplements, including:
Pregnant
Although more studies are needed to prove the risk, there are reports that the consumption of safflower oil can cause uterine contractions and induce labor.
People with blood problems
Patients with blood clotting problems, hemorrhagic diseases, ulcers or who need to undergo surgery, can be instructed to avoid using the oil, as it has anticoagulant action and can thin the blood.
Where to find?
Pure safflower oil can be found in supermarkets and specialty health food stores. The capsule, on the other hand, can be purchased at drugstore chains.
Prices and brands
When it comes to safflower oil supplements, the brand and price options are greater than natural oil.
It is common for these capsules to also contain other properties, such as coconut oil, vitamin E and chia oil. It is also possible to find oil in specific hair care products.
Check out some brand options and the most affordable price, according to our price comparator, Consulta Remédios .
Safflower oil with vitamin E (capsule)
With vitamin E you can find:
- Safflower Oil and Vitamin E Nature Lab : R $ 48.73.
Safflower oil capsules
Among the safflower oil options in capsules are:
- Safflower Oil Global Sport : R $ 36.13;
- Mercofarma Safflower Oil : R $ 19.90;
- Safflower Oil Bionatus Green : R $ 29.90.
Capillary safflower oil
For hair treatments, among the products fortified with safflower oil are:
- Argan Capillary Oil and Safflower Bio Extratus Spécialiste : R $ 17.12.
Common questions
Is it good to take safflower oil before training?
It is an option. People who use the oil in the form of supplementation can use it before training to enhance performance during physical exercise. However, due to the properties it has and which have a regenerating action on the tissues, it may be a more interesting option after training.
Read more: 8 Benefits of BCAA and its effects on the body
Can you take safflower oil before bed?
Yes , some people use safflower oil before bed, especially those looking to lose weight. However, the ideal is to talk to a doctor or nutritionist to understand what is the best time according to the results you are looking for, especially when it comes to the use of supplements.
In the search for a healthier life, the use of supplements and natural products has been gaining more and more space in people’s daily lives.
Among these options is safflower oil, which can be a rich complement of benefits when leading a healthy lifestyle.
Do you use or have used this supplement? Do you have a favorite recipe that uses safflower oil? Share with us in our comments space and thanks for reading!
