L’safflower oil it is extracted from the plant known as Carthamus tinctorius. When naming it, it is necessary to remember that it is also known by the name of saffron, obviously due to the visual similarity with the famous spice. Returning to the oil, which is produced from the seeds of the plant, it is crucial to refer to several benefits.
Among these, it is possible to mention the capacity that this special oil has of keep your blood sugar under control. This property has been confirmed by several scientific tests. Interesting, among many, is one study published in 2011 and led by an active team at Ohio State University.
The experts just mentioned recruited 55 menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-five of them completed the study. At a 16-week follow-up, a positive influence ofsafflower oil not only on blood glucose values, but also on the inflammatory state and the presence of lipids in the blood.
For the results just described we must say thanks to the presence of both mono and polyunsaturated fats. These nutrients, as evidenced by various researches – among which it is possible to cite a review dating back to 2016 and published on the pages of the scientific journal Plos Medicine – promotes the optimization of blood sugar levels and the improvement of insulin resistance.
L’safflower oil, which can be safely used for cooking, represents an effective point of reference also as regards the control of cholesterol levels. Even in this situation, the center of attention is the richness in unsaturated fats. As highlighted by the experts of the American Heart Association, their intake promotes the reduction, in the blood, of bad LDL cholesterol, with obvious benefits for the health of the heart.
The benefits of this extraordinary oil also go beyond the kitchen! Its topical use can in fact prove useful in case of dry or inflamed skin. Furthermore, being rich in Vitamin E, can help protect the skin from UV damage and free radical activity. Distinguished by a higher smoke point than that of other oils, it should be introduced into the diet only after asking for the opinion of your doctor.
–
