Recently, cottonseed oil have been trending on the shelves of many organic markets and people have been loving it. But what is all this fuss around this oil? What is exactly? Eager to learn more? You’ve reached the right spot! In today’s article, let’s uncover about this product.
What is Cottonseed Oil?
Cottonseed oil is made from the seeds of the cotton plant. It is produced in large quantities in various countries around the world.
As with oils from other seeds, such as cottonseed, they are peeled, revealing an oil-rich “crumb” that is extracted after being pressed. It is known for its low trans fatty acid content and commonly replaces other types of oil in some recipes, as it helps to enhance the flavor of foods, but it is also widely used as a biofuel.
The problem is that a lot of things are made into cottonseed oil, as many claim that it is not as healthy as it promises to be. The use of chemicals in cotton plantations has led to many concerns about the safety of using cottonseed oil. However, it is necessary to consider that they are not all equal.
For example, the uncontrolled version may contain more than 70% unsaturated fats. The hydrogenated one is very rich in saturated fats, which have negative side effects on the body. In contrast, the organic version of cottonseed oil is healthy, as it contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, in addition to several other antioxidants.
The secret to profitability lies in the right choice, as cottonseed oil is unhealthy when highly processed or of poor quality, and can have negative health consequences.
What is It Used for?
It is used for food preparation. Many users take advantage of cottonseed oil for frying, and it is popular for bringing out the flavor of fresh foods, rather than masking it. It is also recommended for preparing roasted dishes, as it is not “heavy” compared to other oils, and it has a high resistance to oxidation, making it ideal for salad dressings.
In addition, it is a good substitute for butter and the quality versions are ideal for replacing traditional oils, full of harmful fats, not to mention that their flavor is light and mild, ideal for people who do not like oils with strong flavors. In some cases, it is also used as a topical application.
Cottonseed oil is composed of linoleic acid (49-58%), oleic acid (15-20%), palmitic acid (22-26%), and beic acid and lignoceric/arachidic acid (10%).
Its composition is rich in tocopherols, which are an excellent source of vitamin E, antioxidants and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. For this reason, many health experts say that cottonseed oil is healthy.
Benefits of Cottonseed Oil
1. Improves Cognitive Health
Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have attacked more and more people, but on the contrary, many foods are already reported to be able to reduce the impacts they cause.
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are on that list, and their consumption has been attributed to better cognition. If you use natural, unrefined cottonseed oil, it can reduce inflammation in the neural pathways and prevent the deposition of beta-amyloid plaques, which will contribute positively to the symptoms associated with these diseases.
2. Preventing Prostate Cancer
The prevention of prostate cancer is an effect of the antioxidants present in cottonseed oil. Antioxidants have been linked to lower levels of prostate tissue growth, increased and decreased risk of becoming cancer.
However, these health benefits of cottonseed oil will only be promoted if a high quality oil is used. Low quality ones can contribute to the development of not only this type of cancer, but others as well.
3. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a response of the immune system to fight infection and disease, but when it is present for a long period of time, it can cause many other diseases and complications.
Foods rich in monounsaturated fats, such as cottonseed oil, can help reduce the level of inflammation in the body because they have an anti-inflammatory effect. This condition helps manage chronic symptoms of arthritis, gout, headaches and joint inflammation, and when used in food preparation, it can calm the stomach and stimulate digestion.
Here you go! You now know more about cottonseed oil. Do you want to know more benefits of this product? Come back to check out the second part of the article. Until then, what’s your favorite oil to use in cooking and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
