SUNFLOWER OIL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Sunflower oil is pressed from the seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). It contains high amounts of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid.

Some sunflowers are grown to contain high amounts of oleic acid. Sunflower oil that comes from these plants is called high-oleic acid sunflower oil. It's used as a source of polyunsaturated fat in the diet.

People use sunflower oil for high cholesterol and preventing heart disease. It is also used for high blood pressure, eczema, dry mouth, dry skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Heart disease. Using high-oleic acid sunflower oil instead of other dietary fats and oils higher in saturated fat might reduce the risk for heart disease. The US FDA allows high-oleic acid sunflower oil products to make this claim on their product labels.
High cholesterol. Consuming sunflower oil in the diet might reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in some people.

Possibly Ineffective for

High blood pressure. Taking sunflower oil by mouth doesn't seem to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

There is interest in using sunflower oil for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Sunflower oil is commonly consumed in foods.

When used as a mouth rinse: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sunflower oil is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Sunflower oil is likely safe when used for up to 6 weeks.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Sunflower oil is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if sunflower oil is safe to use in amounts greater than those found in food when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Sunflower oil is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to take by mouth in larger amounts as medicine. Sunflower oil is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 2 months.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Sunflower oil may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.

Diabetes: A diet that is high in sunflower oil seems to increase fasting insulin and blood sugar levels. It also seems to increase after-meal blood fats. This might increase the chance of developing "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with SUNFLOWER OIL
Sunflower oil might increase blood sugar levels. Taking sunflower oil along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Dosing

Sunflower oil is commonly consumed in foods. When it's used as a substitute for other dietary oils, it's recommended that adults consume 1.5 tablespoons of high-oleic acid sunflower oil daily.

As medicine, sunflower oil has been taken by mouth in varying doses. It's also been applied to the skin and used as a mouth rinse. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Micronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2005. Available at: www.nap.edu/books/10490/html/.

Ghosh S, An D, Pulinilkunnil T, et al. Role of dietary fatty acids and acute hyperglycemia in modulating cardiac cell death. Nutrition 2004;20:916-23. View abstract.

van Gool, C. J., Thijs, C., Henquet, C. J., van Houwelingen, A. C., Dagnelie, P. C., Schrander, J., Menheere, P. P., and van den brandt, P. A. Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77(4):943-951. View abstract.

Wilkinson, P., Leach, C., Ah-Sing, E. E., Hussain, N., Miller, G. J., Millward, D. J., and Griffin, B. A. Influence of alpha-linolenic acid and fish-oil on markers of cardiovascular risk in subjects with an atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype. Atherosclerosis 2005;181(1):115-124. View abstract.

An J. Anaphylaxis to sunflower seed with tolerance to sunflower oil: A case report. Medicina (Kaunas) 2021;57(7):661. View abstract.

Caglar S, Yildiz GK, Bakoglu I, Salihoglu O. The effect of sunflower seed and almond oil on preterm infant skin: A randomized controlled trial. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2020 Aug;33(8):1-6. View abstract.

Cooke A, Cork MJ, Victor S, et al. Olive oil, sunflower oil or no oil for baby dry skin or massage: A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (the oil in baby skincare [OBSeRvE] Study). Acta Derm Venereol. 2016;96(3):323-30. View abstract.

de Oliveira PA, Kovacs C, Moreira P, Magnoni D, Saleh MH, Faintuch J. Unsaturated fatty acids improve atherosclerosis markers in obese and overweight non-diabetic elderly patients. Obes Surg. 2017;27(10):2663-2671. View abstract.

Fallah R, Akhavan Karbasi S, Golestan M, Fromandi M. Sunflower oil versus no oil moderate pressure massage leads to greater increases in weight in preterm neonates who are low birth weight. Early Hum Dev. 2013;89(9):769-72. View abstract.

FDA completes review of qualified health claim petition for oleic acid and the risk of coronary heart disease. November 2018. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm624758.htm. Accessed January 25, 2019.

Ferrara LA, Raimondi AS, d'Episcopo L, et al. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:837-42. View abstract.

Fischer N, Darmstadt GL, Shahunja KM, et al. Topical emollient therapy with sunflower seed oil alters the skin microbiota of young children with severe acute malnutrition in Bangladesh: A randomised, controlled study. J Glob Health 2021;11:04047. View abstract.

Turpeinen, A. M., Alfthan, G., Valsta, L., Hietanen, E., Salonen, J. T., Schunk, H., Nyyssonen, K., and Mutanen, M. Plasma and lipoprotein lipid peroxidation in humans on sunflower and rapeseed oil diets. Lipids 1995;30(6):485-492. View abstract.

Binkoski, A. E., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Wilson, T. A., Mountain, M. L., and Nicolosi, R. J. Balance of unsaturated fatty acids is important to a cholesterol-lowering diet: comparison of mid-oleic sunflower oil and olive oil on cardiovascular disease risk factors. J.Am.Diet.Assoc. 2005;105(7):1080-1086. View abstract.

Castro, P., Miranda, J. L., Gomez, P., Escalante, D. M., Segura, F. L., Martin, A., Fuentes, F., Blanco, A., Ordovas, J. M., and Jimenez, F. P. Comparison of an oleic acid enriched-diet vs NCEP-I diet on LDL susceptibility to oxidative modifications. Eur.J.Clin.Nutr. 2000;54(1):61-67. View abstract.

Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr. 1997;65(1):41-45. View abstract.

Demonty, I., Chan, Y. M., Pelled, D., and Jones, P. J. Fish-oil esters of plant sterols improve the lipid profile of dyslipidemic subjects more than do fish-oil or sunflower oil esters of plant sterols. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84(6):1534-1542. View abstract.

Elmadfa, I. and Park, E. Impact of diets with corn oil or olive/sunflower oils on DNA damage in healthy young men. Eur.J.Nutr. 1999;38(6):286-292. View abstract.

Filteau, S. M., Lietz, G., Mulokozi, G., Bilotta, S., Henry, C. J., and Tomkins, A. M. Milk cytokines and subclinical breast inflammation in Tanzanian women: effects of dietary red palm oil or sunflower oil supplementation. Immunology 1999;97(4):595-600. View abstract.

Gustafsson, I. B., Vessby, B., Ohrvall, M., and Nydahl, M. A diet rich in monounsaturated rapeseed oil reduces the lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and increases the relative content of n-3 fatty acids in serum in hyperlipidemic subjects. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1994;59(3):667-674. View abstract.

Jantti, J., Isomaki, H., Laitinen, O., Nikkari, T., Seppala, E., and Vapaatalo, H. Linoleic acid treatment in inflammatory arthritis. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Ther.Toxicol. 1985;23(2):89-91. View abstract.

Khan, F., Elherik, K., Bolton-Smith, C., Barr, R., Hill, A., Murrie, I., and Belch, J. J. The effects of dietary fatty acid supplementation on endothelial function and vascular tone in healthy subjects. Cardiovasc.Res. 10-1-2003;59(4):955-962. View abstract.

Kuriyan, R., Gopinath, N., Vaz, M., and Kurpad, A. V. Use of rice bran oil in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Natl.Med.J.India 2005;18(6):292-296. View abstract.

Malpuech-Brugere, C., Verboeket-van de Venne WP, Mensink, R. P., Arnal, M. A., Morio, B., Brandolini, M., Saebo, A., Lassel, T. S., Chardigny, J. M., Sebedio, J. L., and Beaufrere, B. Effects of two conjugated linoleic Acid isomers on body fat mass in overweight humans. Obes Res 2004;12(4):591-598. View abstract.

Menendez, S., Falcon, L., Simon, D. R., and Landa, N. Efficacy of ozonized sunflower oil in the treatment of tinea pedis. Mycoses 2002;45(8):329-332. View abstract.

Middleton, S. J., Naylor, S., Woolner, J., and Hunter, J. O. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of essential fatty acid supplementation in the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis. Aliment.Pharmacol.Ther. 2002;16(6):1131-1135. View abstract.

Perona, J. S., Canizares, J., Montero, E., Sanchez-Dominguez, J. M., Catala, A., and Ruiz-Gutierrez, V. Virgin olive oil reduces blood pressure in hypertensive elderly subjects. Clin.Nutr. 2004;23(5):1113-1121. View abstract.

Sanchez-Muniz, F. J., Merinero, M. C., Rodriguez-Gil, S., Ordovas, J. M., Rodenas, S., and Cuesta, C. Dietary fat saturation affects apolipoprotein AII levels and HDL composition in postmenopausal women. J.Nutr. 2002;132(1):50-54. View abstract.

Sola, R., La Ville, A. E., Richard, J. L., Motta, C., Bargallo, M. T., Girona, J., Masana, L., and Jacotot, B. Oleic acid rich diet protects against the oxidative modification of high density lipoprotein. Free Radic.Biol.Med. 1997;22(6):1037-1045. View abstract.

Thies, F., Garry, J. M., Yaqoob, P., Rerkasem, K., Williams, J., Shearman, C. P., Gallagher, P. J., Calder, P. C., and Grimble, R. F. Association of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with stability of atherosclerotic plaques: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2-8-2003;361(9356):477-485. View abstract.

Higdon JV, Liu J, Du S, et al. Supplementation of postmenopausal women with fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid is not associated with greater in vivo lipid peroxidation compared with oils rich in oleate and linoleate as assessed by plasma malondialdehyde and F(2)- isoprostanes. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:714-22. View abstract.

Almallah, Y. Z., Ewen, S. W., El-Tahir, A., Mowat, N. A., Brunt, P. W., Sinclair, T. S., Heys, S. D., and Eremin, O. Distal proctocolitis and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs): the mucosal effect in situ. J Clin Immunol. 2000;20(1):68-76. View abstract.

Almallah, Y. Z., Richardson, S., O'Hanrahan, T., Mowat, N. A., Brunt, P. W., Sinclair, T. S., Ewen, S., Heys, S. D., and Eremin, O. Distal procto-colitis, natural cytotoxicity, and essential fatty acids. Am.J.Gastroenterol. 1998;93(5):804-809. View abstract.

Hill AM, Buckley JD, Murphy KJ, Howe PR. Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1267-74. View abstract.

Kumar A, Mishra S, Singh S, et al. Effect of sunflower seed oil emollient therapy on newborn infant survival in Uttar Pradesh, India: A community-based, cluster randomized, open-label controlled trial. PLoS Med 2021;18(9):e1003680. View abstract.

Kumar V, Kumar A, Mishra S, et al. Effects of emollient therapy with sunflower seed oil on neonatal growth and morbidity in Uttar Pradesh, India: a cluster-randomized, open-label, controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2022;115(4):1092-1104. View abstract.

Lietz G, Henry CJ, Mulokozi G, et al. Comparison of the effects of supplemental red palm oil and sunflower oil on maternal vitamin A status. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:501-9. View abstract.

Ludwar L, Mannel H, Hamacher S, Noack MJ, Barbe AG. Oil pulling to relieve medication-induced xerostomia: A randomized, single-blind, crossover trial. Oral Dis. 2020 Dec 12. View abstract.

Madigan C, Ryan M, Owens D, et al. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1472-7. View abstract.

Magro-Filho O, de Carvalho AC. Application of propolis to dental sockets and skin wounds. J Nihon Univ Sch Dent 1990;32:4-13. View abstract.

Mozaffarian D, Clarke R. Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63(Suppl 2):S22-33. View abstract.

AbuMweis, S. S., Vanstone, C. A., Ebine, N., Kassis, A., Ausman, L. M., Jones, P. J., and Lichtenstein, A. H. Intake of a single morning dose of standard and novel plant sterol preparations for 4 weeks does not dramatically affect plasma lipid concentrations in humans. J Nutr. 2006;136(4):1012-1016. View abstract.

Aguilera, C. M., Mesa, M. D., Ramirez-Tortosa, M. C., Nestares, M. T., Ros, E., and Gil, A. Sunflower oil does not protect against LDL oxidation as virgin olive oil does in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Clin.Nutr. 2004;23(4):673-681. View abstract.

Allman-Farinelli, M. A., Gomes, K., Favaloro, E. J., and Petocz, P. A diet rich in high-oleic-acid sunflower oil favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and factor VII coagulant activity. J.Am.Diet.Assoc. 2005;105(7):1071-1079. View abstract.

Pedersen A, Baumstark MW, Marckmann P, et al. An olive oil-rich diet results in higher concentrations of LDL cholesterol and a higher number of LDL subfraction particles than rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets. J Lipid Res 2000;41:1901-11.. View abstract.

Scholtz SC, Pieters M, Oosthuizen W, et al. The effect of red palm olein and refined palm olein on lipids and haemostatic factors in hyperfibrinogenaemic subjects. Thromb Res 2004;113:13-25. View abstract.

Shahunja KM, Sévin DC, Kendall L, et al. Effect of topical applications of sunflower seed oil on systemic fatty acid levels in under-two children under rehabilitation for severe acute malnutrition in Bangladesh: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J 2021;20(1):51. View abstract.

Taheri PA, Goudarzi Z, Shariat M, Nariman S, Matin EN. The effect of a short course of moderate pressure sunflower oil massage on the weight gain velocity and length of NICU stay in preterm infants. Infant Behav Dev. 2018;50:22-27. View abstract.

Vijayakumar M, Vasudevan DM, Sundaram KR, et al. A randomized study of coconut oil versus sunflower oil on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with stable coronary heart disease. Indian Heart J. 2016 Jul-Aug;68(4):498-506. View abstract.

Navigating Life With Migraine

Alternative Treatments for Migraines

The Role Gut Bacteria Plays on the Overall Body

Krill Oil

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

Conditions

Drugs & Supplements

Well-Being

More

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

SUNFLOWER OIL - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Possibly Ineffective for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with SUNFLOWER OIL

Dosing

You Might Also Like

Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

More from WebMD