• Introduction
  • Benefits
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Safflower illustration

Safflower oil is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These healthy fats are essential for hormone regulation and memory. They enable the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Consuming these fats with meals may also help a person to feel fuller. Safflower has the ability to lower cholesterol levels, help manage blood sugar, boost hair care and skin quality, and is thought to reduce the symptoms of PMS. It is also popularly used to prevent high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes. It improves metabolic rate, increases lean muscle mass, and supports fat loss.

CLA is essentially a type of polyunsaturated, omega-6 fatty acid. It is a type of healthy trans fat found naturally in safflower oil.

Benefits of Safflower

1. Improves Heart Health

Safflower oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, also known as linoleic acid that helps in reducing inflammation and improving heart health. It helps prevent the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow. These beneficial acids may help decrease the chances of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as other health conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

2. Reduces Body Fat

Safflower oil contains a certain compound called phytosterol that helps in melting body fat. The oil increases the production of Adiponectin hormone which raises the fat metabolism. Safflower oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids that help to burn fat in the body and lose weight. It helps to lower abdominal fat and raise muscle tissue.

3. Improves Muscle Strength

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) found in safflower oil extract helps increase strength. It also improves lean muscle mass in people who lift weights.

4. Manages Obesity

The CLA present in safflower might reduce feelings of hunger, which leads to reduced food intake. This helps decrease body fat in adults.

5. Controls High Cholesterol

Safflower has high levels of oleic and linoleic fatty acids that help lower cholesterol levels and protects blood vessels and the heart. It helps prevent the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow.

6. Improves Immunity Levels

Safflower oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids and a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty ones as well (linoleic acid). It possesses omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids that assist the body to have normal function involving the immune system process and protect the body. Safflower is a good source of iron, phosphorus, and magnesium and is used in treating anemia and muscle spasm. It can also provide relief from headaches and nausea.

7. Manages Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

The high-linoleic level in safflower is helpful in regulating sudden hormonal fluctuations and helps reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The safflower oil reduces the PMS severity and regulates the menstrual cycles without any harmful side effects.

FAQs

Is Safflower safe to consume?

Safflower is likely safe for everyone as a part of food or dietary supplement when taken in an appropriate amount.

Is Safflower a blood thinner?

Safflower has blood-thinning effects, which means it slows down the blood clotting.

Does CLA in Safflower help in fat loss?

Safflower can help to shift the abdominal fat away instead of burning overall fat in the body. Also, Safflower may increase the feeling of being full, and balance blood sugar — all of which can have a beneficial effect on weight management.

Does CLA in Safflower benefit bodybuilders?

Yes, Safflower is beneficial for bodybuilders. It has Conjugated Linoleic Acid that helps increase strength and also improves lean muscle mass in people who lift weights.

Does Safflower help in the case of inflammation?

Safflower contains Vitamin E which might be responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Can Safflower be used to treat constipation?

According to Ayurveda, Safflower helps to treat constipation. The possible mechanism includes its lubricating effect on the large intestine and mild laxative properties.

References
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Disclaimer

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on Foresta Organics. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your healthcare plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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