Does Sunflower Oil Cause Inflammation?

Sunflower oil comes in several varieties including oleic, linoleic and hydrogenated. Used here to express the different inflammation levels of these oils is the inflammation factor (IF) scale, which expresses inflammatory substances as negative numbers and anti-inflammatory substances as positive numbers.

Mid Oleic Sunflower Oil

Mid oleic sunflower oil (55 to 75 percent oleic acid) is the kind of oil used in industrial food preparation. One ounce rates a 59 on the inflammation factor scale, meaning that it is mildly anti-inflammatory.

High Oleic Sunflower Oil

High oleic sunflower oil containing a 70 percent or higher oleic acid is moderately anti-inflammatory. One ounce of it rates 202 on the inflammation factor scale.

Linoleic Sunflower Oil (Less Than 60 Percent)

Once ounce of sunflower oil containing less than 60 percent linoleic acid rates a negative seven, meaning it is mildy inflammatory.

Linoleic Sunflower Oil (Around 65 Percent)

Once ounce of sunflower oil containing approximately 65 percent linoleic acid rates negative 154, making it moderately inflammatory.

Hydrogenated Linoleic Sunflower Oil

One ounce of hydrogenated linoleic sunflower oil rates four, making it mildly anti-inflammatory.

References

• National Sunflower Association: Sunflower Oil Tell Me About NuSun
• NutritionData: Oil, vegetable, industrial, mid-oleic, sunflower, principal uses frying and salad dressings [NuSun]
• Oil, vegetable, sunflower, high oleic (70% and over)

Resources

• Oil, vegetable, sunflower, linoleic (less than 60%)
• Oil, vegetable, sunflower, linoleic, (approx. 65%)
• Oil, vegetable, sunflower, linoleic, (hydrogenated)