Sunflowers are among the prettiest flowers in the world. But did you know they can also give you oil that you can use for cooking purposes? Sunflower seed oil is known to be one of the healthiest & immunity boosting edible oils. It can reduce your bad cholesterol and prevent heart diseases.
The monounsaturated fats (MUFA), a.k.a ‘good’ fats, are more in sunflower oil. While brands like Fortune and Saffola continue to be the preferred choices of most Indian families, many new and quality cooking oil brands have entered the market. Read this article to know the best sunflower oils available in India.
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When buying cooking oil, one has to be really sure about its quality. As it is the base of your cooking, choosing the right oil is imperative. Read our buying guide to know a few important factors that you must consider before buying any sunflower oil.
Fats present in edible oils are mainly classified into saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as milk, butter & cheese and some plant oils, including coconut oil and palm oil. These are generally considered as ‘bad’ fats or unhealthy fats, along with trans-fat.
Saturated fats are known to increase the bad LDL cholesterol in the body. This further increases the risk of developing heart diseases and stroke. It can also lead to excess weight gain or obesity. Therefore, it is best to consume these fats in limited quantities.
Unsaturated fats are of two types – Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These fats are generally found in nuts, olive oil, and avocado oil and are good sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. So, look for oil that has a high composition of these healthy fats and low saturated fat.
Most edible oils are extracted by refining method in which seeds are exposed to high temperatures, and then the oil is taken out of them. This takes away the necessary nutrients from the seeds and lowers their nutritional value.
In the case of the cold-pressing method, seeds are pressed at room temperature without roasting them. This helps to retain the maximum natural ingredients present in the seeds and thus, results in a higher nutritional value. Cold-pressed oils also contain high amounts of vitamin E, which promotes healthy hair and skin.
Blended oils are the ones that contain two different vegetable oils with at least 20% of the oil of one variety. These are considered much safer & healthier than single seed oils. They are better in almost every aspect: nutritional value, shelf life, and even smoking point.
One example of this is Saffola's blended rice bran and sunflower oil. Compared to other single seed oils, it has a much lower oil absorption rate. It also has an ideal ratio of essential fatty acids. Thus, it is beneficial for reducing bad cholesterol and improving heart health.
There are many food certification organisations in India. The most important and mandatory one is FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). It is an independent statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare that ensures food safety.
An FSSAI certified product means it is qualified and safe for human consumption. Every food product in India must have an FSSAI certification mark on its label. AGMARK, on the other hand, is a certification given only to the best and most superior agricultural products. It signifies that the product has been made with the highest quality standards.
While every edible oil may not carry an AGMARK sign, see that it is at least FSSAI approved. Other certifications may include Non-WHO, ISO, and HACCP.
Fortune is a leading cooking oil brand in the Indian market. They supply a range of cooking oils, sunflower oil being one of them. It is light, healthy and easy to digest. It comes at a very affordable price, a 1-litre pouch is available at a price of just Rs. 160 on Big basket.
Rich in vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, this oil helps in boosting your immunity system and strengthening your digestive system. It has antioxidant properties and a good amount of vitamin E, thus promoting healthy skin. The reviews suggest that its taste is really good. And the maximum shelf life of this cooking oil is nine months.
With its dual seed technology, Saffola Gold refined oil is a perfect blend of sunflower oil and rice bran oil. It has the right balance of MUFA & PUFA and provides better nutrition than single seed oils. It helps keep your cholesterol in check.
Compared to other cooking oils, this oil has a much lesser oil absorption percentage. Your food absorbs 33% less oil owing to its LOSORB technology. As per the customer reviews, it adds a great flavour to the food and does not cause any side effects.
This oil has been voted as India’s No.1 Quality Sunflower Oil (2020-2021) by Consumer Voice – a government recognised organisation for testing consumer products. This sunflower oil has an ideal balance of fatty acids and is made from premium quality sunflower seeds.
It comes with a NutriFreshLock technology, wherein it undergoes several refining stages with real-time monitoring. The oil is then packed in suitable packaging material that prevents it from getting rancid, thus maintaining its quality & freshness. The brand supplies this oil in 3 different ways – a 1-litre pouch, 1-litre bottle, and 5-litre jar.
Dhara is another premium cooking oil brand, especially famous in the north and northeast regions of India. It comes with a distinctive ‘low absorb technology’, which prevents the food from absorbing the oil in excessive amounts. This oil is rich in vitamin A and D2, Omega-6 and essential fatty acids.
It also contains high amounts of PUFA (polyunsaturated fats) and MUFA (monounsaturated fats). Since our bodies do not produce these fats naturally, it’s best to consume them through our daily diet. Many customers were happy with the taste and odour of this oil.
Good cooking oil is the one that does not get much absorbed in your food. Nature Fresh’s sunflower oil is exactly that. It has a 15% lower oil absorption compared to many other brands. The makers source the finest quality sunflower seeds and process them in a way that keeps their freshness intact.
This oil is prepared with a 6-stage extensive refining process, ensuring the best quality. It is rich in vitamin A, D, E, and Omega-6. The customers did not face any weight gain or health issues with its regular use. Many, however, stated that the odour could have been better.
Sweekar is a trusted brand of edible oils in India. Their sunflower oil is a perfect blend of taste & health. It contains many micronutrients that add to its nutritional value. Fortified with vitamin A, D and E, it helps improve vision, get stronger bones and healthy skin.
It also has powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage. The Omega-6 acids present in the oil help lower cholesterol levels, thus maintaining the heart’s health. This FSSAI approved sunflower oil is ideal for deep frying. It comes in a 1-litre pouch and 5-litre jar and has a 9-month shelf life.
When it comes to healthy eating, organic is the way to go. And this is justified by our next product – Pure & Sure Organic Sunflower Oil. Made especially for health-conscious people, this oil is extracted through a cold-pressing method instead of a refining process. The seeds are grown organically without using any harmful chemicals.
The processing and packaging are done in a safe & hygienic environment, and the final product goes through various quality checks. This sunflower oil is one of the purest forms of edible oil that you can use for cooking and beauty purposes, too. Many customers said it is great for hair growth as well.
Sunny Sunlite Refined Sunflower Oil is another quality product in edible oils. It is available at a lower price compared to other brands. The amount of saturated fat present in this oil is also very less – just 10g in 100-litre oil. Most brands have 12g saturated fat in their oil.
This sunflower oil is free from Argemone oil, which is an adulterant oil generally added by companies to increase the oil quantity. Argemone oil is toxic for the human body and can lead to severe health problems if consumed regularly. Besides, this oil is a good source of many micronutrients and Omega-6, essential for a healthy diet.
24 Mantra is a well-known nutrition brand in India supplying a range of healthy food items. Their sunflower oil is a 100% organic product made from cold-pressing seeds. It is not exposed to high temperatures, which is usually the case with refined oils. The seeds are cultivated organically without involving pesticides or chemicals.
This sunflower contains about 75% polyunsaturated fatty acids. So it is a healthier alternative for people at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. It is odourless and has a neutral taste, which are the signs of its quality and purity. Many people found it even better than olive oil.
100% natural & organic, it is one of the healthiest cooking oils in the Indian market. It is a virgin cold-pressed oil, meaning – it has not passed through any pasteurisation or refining procedures. This sunflower oil is enriched with vitamin A and E, both of which are great for your skin health.
As it has a high smoking point, the oil does not turn rancid easily. So it’s ideal for everyday cooking and even deep-frying. It comes in a super-saver pack of three, along with which you also get complimentary flavoured honey samples. It is an FSSAI certified product, packed hygienically.
Deep frying is when a large quantity of oil is heated at extreme temperatures. Deep-fried food is delicious, but it is also very unhealthy. Yet, you may want to eat it once in a while. So whenever you deep fry, follow the below tips:-
There is a lot of variety in cooking oils. Sunflower oil is just one of them. To learn about other cooking oils available in India, check out the below articles. Go through our top 10 recommendations and the buying guide to choose the best product for yourself.
Sunflower oil is one of the best options when it comes to cooking oils. With high unsaturated fats and so many micronutrients, it is perfect for your immunity and heart’s health. In this article, we have explained how to choose the right oil, along with the ten best ones. We hope it was helpful!
Author: Deeksha Mangla
Editor: Lakshmi Srinivasan
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