Cottonseed Oil
Proven Health Benefits of Cottonseed Oil
- Cottonseed oil lowers inflammation.
- Reduces the risk of stroke.
- Boosts the immune system.
- Lowers the cholesterol levels in the body.
- Speeds up healing.
- Improves skin appearance due to the presence of Vitamin E.
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Improves cognitive health.
What is Cottonseed oil?
Oil is a form of energy in its most concentrated form found in all plant seeds. Consequently, Cottonseed oil (Oleum gossypii) is obtained from a cotton plant's seeds species Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium herbaceum, which belong to the mallow family.In ancient times, the Chinese and Hindus extract Cottonseed oil on a small scale to be used as medicine and lamp fuel. The major Cottonseeds producers include India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, China, and Egypt.
Cottonseed oil is a by-product in the cotton industry whose extraction for large-scale production is a form of modern oil refinery and analysis processes. The crude cottonseed oil contains gossypol toxins, which must be refined to produce edible oil.1
What is Cottonseed oil useful for?
Cottonseed oil is commonly used in cooking, salad oils, and dressings, owing to its unique flavour. Cottonseed oil is used in the processed foods industry for its longer shelf life in the preservation of mayonnaise and margarine. Subsequently, the remains from Cottonseed oil extraction are then used in the livestock and poultry feeds as supplements rich in protein. The outer seed coverings are suited explicitly for livestock feed as roughage.
Health Benefits:
- Tocopherol present in the Cottonseed oil promotes new skin cells' growth, speeds up a wound, and cuts healing.
- The high anti-oxidant levels promote Anti-aging properties by preventing premature ageing in the skin.
- The presence of high levels of monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats improves cognitive health.
- Improves skin appearance when applied externally due to High levels of vitamin E.
- Boosts the immune system by reducing oxidative stress by the high levels of anti-oxidants.
- It is soothing to the stomach, thus optimizing digestion.
- Reduces inflammation by relieving gout, headaches, joint problems, and arthritis.
Nutrition
Cottonseed oil's nutritional value is composed of majorly energy, Vitamin E, and fats.3. Per 100g, the energy contained is 900kcal while the fat is 100g. The fats constituted include:
- saturated fats 26g
- monosaturated fats 18g
- polysaturated fats 56g Other constituents include:
- Linoleic acid55%
- Palmitic acid 26%
- Oleic acid 19%
Toxicity:
The naturally occurring toxin in the cottonseed oil gossip is linked to causing liver damage, infertility, and problems during pregnancy, and respiratory distress. Cottonseed oi; is high in saturated fat, which increases the chances of heart disease. May cause allergic reactions when applied by people with sensitive skin.4