Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the Helianthus annus plant. This beautiful yellow flower that follows the movement of the sun is native to the Americas and even the Inca population was already using it 3000 years ago for its properties.

It belongs to the Asteraceae family and in fact its large flower is actually an inflorescence made up of many small flowers, each of which produces a fruit with a seed inside. The plant can grow up to 3 meters in height and the inflorescence can have a diameter of 85 cm.

At room temperature, sunflower oil has a liquid consistency, a straw yellow color and the scent is delicate. If it is refined it becomes almost transparent with a light amber color.

The composition of sunflower oil is essentially unsaturated fatty acids, approximately 32% oleic acid (monounsaturated) and 52% linoleic acid (polyunsaturated), precursors of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids; These omegas are important for heart health, energy production, oxygen transport, the creation of hemoglobin in the bloodstream, and even for keeping the body's hormone system in balance. 

A component present in sunflower oil is vitamin E, also called tocopherol. Its primary property is to be an excellent antioxidant, in quantities even five times higher than olive oil, and is therefore capable of protecting cell membranes and fighting free radicals also responsible for cellular aging.