Here at Cleveland Kitchen, we love using sunflower oil for our dressings.
What is sunflower oil, and what's so special about it? Sunflower oil derives from the pressed seeds of the Helianthus annuus plant. It contains unsaturated fats and many health benefits.
We take the ingredients in Cleveland Kitchen products seriously, which is why we love using sunflower oil.
Without further adieu, here’s our ultimate guide to sunflower oil and its many health and flavor benefits:
Types of Sunflower Oil
There are four different types of sunflower oils in the United States, all made from different oil compositions of the same plant. Some of these compositions are high in linoleic (omega 6), while the others are richer in oleic acid (omega-9). Both are excellent sources of energy for the body and strength for cells.
The types of sunflower oil include:
- high linoleic (68% linoleic acid)
- mid-oleic (NuSun, 65% oleic acid)
- high oleic (82% oleic acid)
- high stearic/high oleic (Nutrisun, 72% oleic acid, 18% stearic acid)
If you aren’t a numbers person, don’t worry about the differences in percentages between the different types. All you truly need to know is the most common type is high oleic--the variety we make a specific use of in our marinade.
Sunflower Oil Nutrition Facts
Part of what makes this oil special is that it has a unique nutritional profile when compared to competitor oils on the market. Specifically, it is made up of 100 percent fat and vitamin E and contains absolutely no sodium, cholesterol, or carbohydrates.
Sunflower Oil Benefits
- Promotes heart health- Sunflower oil contains phytochemicals (chemical compounds from plants) such as choline and phenolic acid, which benefit the heart. It’s also free from trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease. Further enhancing your cardiovascular system, sunflower oil additionally contains a significant amount of fatty acid to help establish balance within your body.
- Good for the skin- High in vitamin A and vitamin E, this oil is great for promoting skin health and cell repair. These vitamins are comparable to antioxidants that can rid of bacteria. Sunflower oil is also a non-greasy oil that can easily be absorbed to the skin. As we always say, if the oil isn’t good to put on your skin, don’t put it in your food!
- Boosts energy- Sunflower oil contains unsaturated fats that have the ability to energize you. Specifically, studies show that the glycogen (a type of sugar) in sunflower oil discharges into the bloodstream from the liver for an energy boost.
- Immune-System boosting- Sunflower oil can strengthen the cell membrane barriers that block off unwanted viruses. Studies also show that oil can increase the efficacy of our immune system.
Sunflower Oil Vs. Other Oils
The sunflower oil that contains a high amount of oleic sunflower oil (like CK products) can provide many benefits, including improved heart health. However, it’s not recommended to cook with sunflower oil on high heat as the compounds change and lose some of their benefits.
Similarly, oils that are high in linoleic or mid-oleic sunflower oils don’t reap the same benefits. Other oils such as olive oil and avocado oils contain high amounts of monounsaturated oleic acid as well.
Canola and palm oil are more stable for cooking and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, they don’t contain the high amounts of nutrition and antioxidant benefits that lower oleic sunflower oils possess.
Cleveland Kitchen FAQ
Our team truly believes that fermented foods are key to a healthier diet, and we want to make it effortless for people to savor them on any occasion. The hope for our new line of fermented dressings is that consumers can enjoy it regularly and reap the gut-health benefits from the millions of probiotics present in our one-of-a-kind style dressing.
Why do we use sunflower oil in our dressings?
Taste, health and pourability. The non-GMO high oleic Sunflower Oil we use in our dressings is a healthier alternative to oils like vegetable or canola and is tastier with better consistency than olive and coconut oil.
Do you add any sugar?
There are no sweeteners in any of our krauts. Our dressings & marinades contain a small amount of date syrup, which is a natural fruit-based sweetener. The sugar content in a single serving of the dressing is <1g.
What’s sustainable about Cleveland Kitchen?
We believe in leaving our planet better than when we found it. That’s why sustainability is a top priority for us. Our team is extremely proud of our Cleveland heritage and thoughtfully source ingredients locally from Midwest farmers.
In addition, we are proud to use sustainable packaging and shipping. The way our krauts are packaged is more streamlined. We switched to flexible pouches that take up less space in transit, weigh less, are recyclable, and are BPA and BPS free.
Find Our Products Near You!
Our new product locator is designed to help you find a store near you that provides the exact variety of CK products you are looking for. Check the refrigerated section, and if you can’t find it, contact our customer service to help you find exactly what you are looking for!
Sources
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/6-incredible-benefits-of-sunflower-oil-1636359
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-sunflower-oil-healthy#comparison