Seed Oils

Setting the Record Straight

Not all seed oils are created equally

Seed oils have been getting a bad rap lately. Scroll through social media and you might think they’re the villain in every kitchen. But here’s the thing—not all seed oils are created equal. While there’s good reason to be cautious about heavily processed, chemical-laden oils, it’s time to set the record straight. Not all seed oils are bad and not all seed oils are created equally.

Sunflower oil, especially when cold-pressed and unrefined like Simply Sunflower Oil, offers numerous health benefits that are often overshadowed by generalizations. The Koelling family has been farming in Ord, Nebraska, for over 120 years, practicing regenerative agriculture long before it became a trend. Their commitment is to provide a pure, nutrient-rich oil that supports your health and culinary endeavors.

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 High Heat and Chemical Extraction

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. Extreme heat breaks down and removes naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients. Additionally, many conventional sunflower oils on the market are highly refined, often processed with chemical solvents, bleaches, and deodorizers that strip the oil of its natural antioxidants, vitamins, and flavor.

Cold-pressed sunflower oil retains its natural antioxidants and nutrients through pressing seeds at low temperatures. Many concerns about seed oils are based on highly processed, refined oils that are stripped of nutrients and made with chemical solvents. However, Simply Sunflower Oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, and made without any chemicals or additives—preserving the natural antioxidants and nutrients found in sunflower seeds.

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.

Lin Oleic vs High Oleic

Studies have shown that high oleic sunflower oil may help raise HDL (good) cholesterol, support heart health, and even reduce markers of inflammation when used in place of saturated fats (WebMD).

Recommended by The American Heart Association

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A Nutritious Cooking Oil

Not all sunflower oils are the same, and Simply Sunflower Oil stands apart as a truly wholesome. Full of healthy fats, cold-pressed, and nutrient dense, our oil is one-of-a-kind. We are committed to providing a cooking oil that supports your health and culinary endeavors. So next time you’re in the cooking aisle, remember that not all seed oils are created equally. There is a sunflower oil that has no additives, is all-natural, and full of nutrients. Try Simply Sunflower Oil, a nutritious cooking oil!