Is Sunflower Oil Healthful?

Sunflower oil, made from the sunflower seed, is often used as a cooking oil. The proportion of the types of fats in sunflower oil is variable, depending on genetics and climate. Livestrong.com's MyPlate lists the following nutritional information for 15 mL sunflower oil: 124 calories, 1.7 g saturated fat, 2.8 g monounsaturated fat and 8.7 g polyunsaturated fat. Sunflower oil is also a source of vitamin E and carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidant molecules and some can be converted to vitamin A in the body.

Heart-Healthy Fats

Most of the fats in sunflower oil are monounsaturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated. According to "Human Nutrition," omega-6 polyunsaturated fats decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels -- elevated levels of which are two of the risk factors for heart disease. Monounsaturated fats also decrease LDL levels, although possibly to a lesser extent than omega-6 polyunsaturated. However, monounsaturated fats elevate the blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood, which is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Essential Vitamins

Atherosclerosis, or thickening of the arteries, is believed to be initiated when cholesterol in the blood gets damaged by oxidation from free radicals. Free radicals are present in the environment but are also produced in the body as side products of metabolism. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cholesterol from becoming oxidized. Vitamin A is important to health through different mechanisms: it is essential for a healthy immune system, helps maintain healthy linings of the intestinal and respiratory tracts, is important for development and growth of the fetus, and is required for vision under dim light.

Effect on Carcinogenesis

The June 2002 issue of "Pharmacological Research" reports a rodent study that investigated the cancer-protective potential of sunflower oil. The authors report that in mouse skin tumor model studies, sunflower oil offered protection against this tumor. However, sunflower oil had no protective effects in other tests for anti-carcinogenesis. The authors note that these findings are preliminary, and more research is warranted.

Calories

Although the fats in sunflower oil are mostly heart-healthy, you should remember that these are still fats and still deliver 9 calories per gram. This works out to 124 calories per tablespoon. If you are trying to lose weight or want to maintain a healthy weight, watch your fat intake.