The Health Benefits and Side Effects of Safflower Oil

That familiar bottle of safflower oil you likely have in your kitchen is made using seeds from the safflower plant, which is a member of the sunflower family.

The safflower's flowers look like thistles and help protect its seeds — which are used to make oil — until they mature, per Purdue University's Alternative Field Crops Manual. It's one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world; safflower was found in ancient Egyptian tombs, according to the Herb Society of America.

When it comes to cooking, safflower oil makes it on the list of healthier options, per the American Heart Association (AHA).

Discover the different varieties that are available, plus potential health benefits associated with cooking with safflower oil.

There are two main varieties of this colorless, odorless oil: polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat. Both are classified as healthy fats, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), but they have slightly different characteristics:

• ​Polyunsaturated fats​ are a source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which your body needs, but can't produce on its own, per the AHA. It contains linoleic fatty acids, according to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
• ​Monounsaturated oils​ can help reduce LDL cholesterol (that's the bad one), per the NLM. Monounsaturated safflower oil contains oleic fatty acids (aka omega-9 fatty acids), per the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

All unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan school of Public Health.

Aim to have mono- and polyunsaturated fats — as opposed to saturated or trans fats — make up the majority of the fats you eat, per the AHA.

There are quite a few health benefits of safflower oil:

• ​Supports heart health:​ Both poly- and monounsaturated fats help cut LDL cholesterol, per the AHA. That, in turn, lowers heart disease and stroke risk.
• ​Provides vitamin E:​ Safflower oil — or any unsaturated oil — is also a good source of vitamin E, according to the AHA. One tablespoon of safflower oil contains 31 percent of your daily recommended amount of this antioxidant, per the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• ​May help with blood sugar levels:​ Having polyunsaturated fats is linked to improved blood sugar, per a July 2016 meta-analysis in ​PLOS Medicine​.

You're unlikely to experience any side effects from safflower oil. If you are allergic to other plants in this family (such as ragweed and daisies), it could cause a similar reaction.

Like all fats, safflower oil is high in calories. One tablespoon of a high-oleic oil contains 14 grams of fat and 120 calories, according to the USDA.

Even though safflower oil is a healthy fat, don't pour it out with abandon as you cook, per the Mayo Clinic. Instead, aim to use moderate amounts.

The biggest benefit to safflower oil is likely that you're using it in place of unhealthy fats (think: saturated fat or trans fat).

And it's easy to cook with this oil: It has a mild taste and neutral smell.

You'll find safflower oil available in refined and unrefined forms. The smoke point of refined safflower oil is higher, at 510 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to unrefined safflower oil, which has a smoke point of 225 F, according to the Vegetarian Health Institute.

This information about the smoke point can help steer how you use the oil: Look for high-heat refined safflower oil for cooking, frying and baking. Use unrefined safflower oil in salad dressings or marinades that don't require heating.

Always check the expiration date on safflower oil and store it in a cool dark place.