Choosing healthier sources of fat can lower your risk for heart disease, and sunflower oil may help. Most of the fat in sunflower oil is unsaturated, and this oil is a nutrient-dense food, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In moderation, sunflower oil may provide certain health benefits as part of an overall balanced diet.
Linoleic Acid
Each 1 tablespoon serving of sunflower oil has 8.9 grams of linoleic acid, which is an omega-six polyunsaturated fatty acid that is an essential part of a healthy diet, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. You need at least 11 to 14 grams per day, but most people get too many omega-six fatty acids compared to an even healthier category of fatty acids called the omega-threes. The University of Michigan suggests lowering your intake of corn, cottonseed, soybean, safflower and sunflower oils in order to improve your ratio. Omega-three fatty acids are found in seafood, flaxseeds, walnuts and canola oil.
