Cottonseed oil is a plant-based oil that is extracted from cotton seeds. It can offer health benefits like boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol and maintaining healthy skin and hair.
The benefits of cottonseed oil are derived from its vitamin E content and its monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These are nutrients that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
Cottonseed oil tastes similarly to chestnuts, and can be used as an alternative to soybean oil, corn oil or canola oil. In can be used in recipes for sauces, breads and cakes, or used for cosmetic purposes to moisturize the skin and hair.
Health benefits
The main health benefits of cottonseed oil are:
1. Boosting immunity
Cottonseed oil is rich in vitamin E and healthy fats (like omega 6 and omega 9), which are nutrients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Therefore cottonseed oil can help to boost immunity and help to fight viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
Also recommended: Immune System Boosters: Foods, Natural Remedies & Recipes tuasaude.com/en/immune-system-boosters2. Possibly preventing cancer
Cottonseed oil can help prevent the onset of cancer because it contains vitamin E, omega 6 and omega 9, which are compounds with antioxidant action that prevent oxidative stress. These can help to protect healthy cells against damage caused by free radicals.
3. Lowering cholesterol
Cottonseed oil is high in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can help to protect fat cells from oxidation processes that raise cholesterol levels.
The linoleic and oleic acids that are also found in in cottonseed oil also have a naturally anti-inflammatory action that can promote optimal blood circulation. This prevents the formation of fatty plaques in blood vessels, and therefore reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attack and high blood pressure.
Also recommended: Low Cholesterol Diet: Foods to Eat & Avoid (w/ Meal Plan) tuasaude.com/en/low-cholesterol-diet4. Maintaining healthy skin and hair
Cottonseed oil is a natural way to maintain healthy skin and hair. The vitamin E and omega 6 found in this oil can help to keep skin hydrated, firm and elastic, which is beneficial for preventing premature aging, speeding-up wound healing and preventing skin damage caused by UV rays from the sun.
Cottonseed oil also promotes hair health by maintaining the integrity of hair fibers and improving blood circulation to the scalp.
Nutritional information
The following table outlines the nutritional information of 100g of cottonseed oil:
To obtain all the benefits of cottonseed oil, this food should be incorporated into a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
How to use
Cottonseed oil can be used for cooking or cosmetic purposes:
- Cooking: Cottonseed oil can be used in recipes for bread, cakes, sauces and stews
- Cosmetics: Cottonseed oil can be applied pure or mixed with other creams and essential oils to massage into your hair or skin
To use cottonseed oil to achieve health benefits, you can consume up to 2 tablespoons of this oil per day. It is advisable to alternate the use of this oil with other fats with a lower saturated fat content, such as olive oil and flaxseed oil.
Choosing the best type
When choosing cottonseed oil, you should choose refined cottonseed oil, as unrefined versions may contain a toxin called gossypol. This is a polyphenolic compound that, when consumed for long periods of times, can lead to infertility, liver damage, weakness, and increased respiratory and heart rate.
Can cottonseed oil be used for frying?
Cottonseed oil can be used for frying as it preserves its nutritional properties, even when heated to 356°F (or 180ºC).