11 Impressive Benefits And Uses of Cottonseed Oil

Cottonseed oil from cottonseed has several notable health benefits. These benefits includes helping induce health hair growth for those losing their hair or seeking for more hair growth. It can also help to reduce inflammation, prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system, normalize blood pressure and promote good skin health. Other benefits includes preventing cancerous cells growth, inducing quick healing of wounds, helping improve brain function and boosting the immune system.

What is Cottonseed Oil?

Cottonseed oil, as the name implies is extracted from the seeds of the cotton plant and was of no value until the mid-19th century when it started being exported to Europe from the United States in large quantities. It was even used illegally in preparation of animal fat for commercial purposes as a filler, and was subsequently banned, but it is presently one of the cheapest edible oils and is a major food ingredient. Gossypium herbaceum oil (cottonseed oil) is now imported for its culinary uses and for other health benefits.

Nutrition Info (per cup 218g)

Calories-1927
Total Fat- 218g
Vitamin E- 186 % RDI

11 Impressive Benefits And Uses Of Cottonseed Oil

1. Help Induce Healthy Hair Growth

Linoleic acid is a fatty acid present in cottonseed oil that helps promote steady hair growth and prevent hair loss, as it neutralizes the effects of dermatitis which is the main cause of hair loss on the skin and strengthens the scalp ensuring that your hair remains healthy and beautiful. Eating foods rich in cottonseed oil may help supply the right amount of linoleic acid that the hair requires, or even better yet, consume a high quality cottonseed oil in supplemental form.

2. Help Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a process orchestrated by the body’s immune system to fight infections and diseases, and as much as inflammation seems good to the body, it is equally very harmful if it occurs over a long period of time and could actually lead to a host of other complications. It is advisable to eat meals that are rich in monounsaturated fats such as those that contain cottonseed oil in order to reduce the rate of inflammation in the body. Monounsaturated fats are generally excellent anti-inflammatory fats.

3. Help Prevent Diseases Of The Cardiovascular System

Preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is one of the main functions of monounsaturated fats in the body, and they may assist in reducing the level of saturated fats in the body and thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Monounsaturated fats can help to lower bad cholesterol levels, or LDL, and increase good cholesterol level modestly. When foods containing MUFA such as cottonseed oil is added to the diet, they may also help in the promotion of proper blood circulation and maintain heart health.

4. May Help Normalize Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood exerted against the walls of blood vessels by circulating blood moving from the heart to all body parts. When blood pressure becomes too high or too low it may initiate other heart problems thus, meals that contain a moderate amount of polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats should be included in diet.

Cottonseed oil helps ensure that an adequate intake of PUFA is met, helping prevent the blood pressure from rising or falling beyond normal so that the heart is protected at all times from adverse changes to pumping efficiency. Low blood pressure can also be dangerous to health, as insufficient blood is present to fill the heart chambers; in theory having on a water pump while the water pressure is extremely low.

5. May Help Promote Good Skin Health

Vitamin E helps the skin to maintain its natural beauty and its glowing color, by moisturizing the skin and helping to replenish any lost moisture. It can be applied topically during the day and even at night for maximal results. Cottonseed oil is rich in Vitamin E and with regular use, it may prevent dark spots from appearing on the skin and minimize the action of free radicals which destroy the cells of the skin, leaving the skin looking youthful and healthy. Its generous content of unsaturated fats also help to form a protective barrier around skin cells which reduce the likelihood of the skin barrier being breached by foreign pathogens.

6. Help Prevent The Growth Of Cancerous Cells

Prostate cancer is very common and has results in the death of thousands of men each year, occurring from the often times benign growth of the prostate known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). When cancerous cells appear and are left unchecked, they begin to divide in rapid succession and destroy the immune system in the process. However, there are natural food substances available that can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, including cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil has high antioxidant levels and may, therefore, be able to lower cancerous cell growth in the prostate and the risk of developing full blown prostate cancer. 

7. May Be Able To Induce Wound Healing

Cottonseed oil is rich in linoleic acid and antioxidants like vitamin E which makes it is suitable for application on wounds as it can stimulate a faster healing process. Since the skin is susceptible to cuts, scrapes, scratches and bruises, it may be necessary to have this rich oil handy for application in the event a wound does develop. It can be applied topically on its own to the wounded area, or in combination with jojoba or coconut oil for a thicker, longer lasting preparation for a more efficient healing process. Regular use of cottonseed oil may even minimize or completely clear the appearance of scarring, and can stimulate the growth of new cells to protect against infection. 

8. Help Improve Overall Body Function

Choline is an essential dietary nutrient that must be consumed to improve the functions of the body and can easily be obtained from dietary sources like cottonseed oil. Choline found in cottonseed oil helps to metabolize lipids located in the liver so that liver damage caused by an accumulation of lipids is prevented (otherwise known as fatty liver disease). The dietary choline in cottonseed oil may also be useful in preventing diseases like cancer and promote a reduction in inflammation. Increased brain function, improved energy levels and proper fetal development are all other benefits that are all attributed to choline intake.

9. Help Improve Brain Function

The brain must function optimally for other parts of the body to work properly, and regular consumption of foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have both been linked to increased brain function and a reduction in neurological diseases that can arise, such as dementia. This natural vegetable oil has constituents that not only reduce inflammation in the brain but can also minimize swelling in the pathways of neurons, preventing plaque build-up so that the brain remains sharp and active. The deposition of these plaque proteins is a strong indicator of neurodegenerative illness, and is a common precursor to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

10. Can Help Boost The Immune System

Many synthetic vegetable oils are strongly pro-oxidant in nature, in the sense that they tend to worsen processes of oxidation and inflammation in the body. However, cottonseed oil is anti-oxidant thanks to its content of natural unsaturated fats, plus the presence of Vitamin E. this helps support the immune system and reduces your risk of communicable diseases.

11. May Help Induce Weight Loss

Weight loss may be induced by the intake of cottonseed oil as it does not contain the bad Trans fatty acids. The fat content of cottonseed oil can be easily burned and initiate weight loss. The level of good dietary fat in cottonseed oil, when compared to that of bad fat, is relatively high and this makes it efficient in enhancing weight loss and improving the overall health of the body in a reasonable period of time.

Conclusion

The health benefits of cottonseed oil clearly outweigh the bad reputation it developed in centuries past. For safety purposes, however, it is advised that you purchase and use high quality extracted organic cottonseed oil, which ensures you get the health benefits, and not some tainted product that could be cross contaminated with things you don’t want.