Seed Oils
Setting the Record Straight
Not all seed oils are created equally
Everyone is talking about seed oils. We want to set the record straight. Not all seed oils are bad and not all seed oils are created equally. Simply Sunflower Oil is full of nutrients, heart-healthy, and all-natural. We do things differently!
Are seed oils bad?
We hear it all the time. People say to avoid seed oils, products are marketed as “seed-oil free”, and social media is full of health claims regarding them. But what does the science actually say?
Sunflower oil, canola oil (made from rapeseed), soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil and grapeseed oil are popular seed oil options available on grocery store shelves. They are affordable and offer neutral flavors, making them a popular consumer choice.
Though seed oils are highly debated, the real concern is how they are made and what goes into the oil. Not all seed oils are made equally, meaning not all carry the same nutrients, benefits, or harms.
Not all seed oils are bad. We are proud to say Simply Sunflower Oil is a great, healthy choice!
The Truth about Seed Oils
Cold-Pressed vs Hot-Pressed
The production process heavily affects the oil you buy from the grocery store. Many cooking oils are made through expeller pressing where raw materials, like seeds or olives, are crushed and squeezed under high pressure. Oftentimes high temperatures are used to speed up the extraction process and increase the amount of oil yielded. However, extreme heat breaks down and removes naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients.
At Simply Sunflower, we do things differently. All of our oil is cold-pressed, meaning our farm-grown seeds are pressed at low temperatures to ensure our oil retains its natural healthy fats, vitamins, and other nutrients. Simply Sunflower Oil is nutritious due how it’s produced.
Single Source vs Multiple Sources
Many oils are made with ingredients sourced from multiple places- multiple farms or even countries. You can often find the origin on the back label. Look for specific phrases like "Product of [Country]" or "Packed in [Country]," usually located near the nutrition facts. Oils sourced from multiple places often lack freshness and quality. When more sources are listed, it is more difficult to identify the true source and there is less accountability for the quality of ingredients used.
Single-origin oils guarantee a pure, often fresher, and healthier product. Simply Sunflower is a single-origin oil, made only from seeds grown on our family farm in Nebraska with no additives.
Healthy Fats vs Saturated Fats
Saturated fats (often found in high amounts in certain seed oils) can raise your "bad" cholesterol. It is often recommended to limit saturated fat intake for heart health and to avoid chronic disease. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for a dietary pattern that achieves less than 6% of total calories from saturated fat.
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered “good” and “beneficial” fats. Polyunsaturated fats contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. According to Harvard Medical School, these fatty acids can reduce inflammation, boost protective HDL, and beneficial for the heart.
Simply Sunflower Oil is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and low in saturated fats. This is due to our cold-pressing and single ingredient process. We are a heart healthy cooking oil option unlike many other oils.
