Cottonseed oil
In our area, for many, cottonseed oil will seem exotic, but it is increasingly beginning to appear on store shelves. In Central Asia, for example, cotton oil is no less popular than sunflower oil in our country, but the most massive consumers of this product are Americans. It is a valuable oil that can be used in many areas of life, from industry to cosmetology.
Benefits of cottonseed oil
The benefits of this oil are due to its chemical composition, which includes essential acids such as myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, oleic and linoleic. It contains a lot of vitamins from group B, PP and E. It is worth mentioning tocopherol separately, because the oil is especially rich for them, about 70% of the total composition is vitamin A. But it is also worth mentioning that the saturation and usefulness of the oil in is largely determined by the quality of the feedstock and its grade.
It is a natural antioxidant that inhibits the aging process both internally and externally. Under its influence, the elasticity of blood vessels increases, the work of the heart improves. The antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil are due to the presence of fatty acids in the composition. High content vitamin E has a positive effect on the strength of immunity, and the nerves from it become much stronger. Fatty acids help fight diabetes, promote the speedy tightening of wounds, the convergence of inflammation, heal dermatitis and eliminate burns.
Cottonseed oil is also rich in phytosterols, which contribute to a significant decrease in blood cholesterol levels. They also dissolve plaques of cholesterol in the vessels, which significantly reduces the likelihood of myocardial infarction and the development of atherosclerosis. Phytosterols reduce the ability of the intestinal wall to absorb bad cholesterol. So it turns out that the existing cholesterol dissolves, the new one is not deposited and health improves.
Vitamin F builds immunity, has a wound-healing property, and in combination with vitamin D, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus improves, which has a beneficial effect on bone strength.
Cotton oil can replace pharmaceutical wound-healing preparations, because it can heal any cuts, abrasions, remove the effects of insect bites, and restore the skin from pimples and peeling.
The oil is used as a part of cosmetic masks, helping to rejuvenate the skin, and also as a dressing for salads, which is very beneficial for the whole body. The product has a very good effect on the taste of eggplant caviar and pilaf. Some types of dough also cannot do without cotton oil. By the way, for those people whose body once reacted negatively to nut butter, this product can be an excellent substitute.
The harm of cottonseed oil
Despite all the usefulness of cotton oil, it is also by no means to be zealous with it, as it can be dangerous. Separately, it must be said about the allergy that can manifest itself on the oil. But at the same time, experts note that an allergic reaction to cottonseed oil is very rare, even among inveterate allergy sufferers.
Remember that only a refined product can be used for domestic and medical purposes. It can be identified both by the inscription on the label and by the light shade of the oil itself. But unrefined oil contains gossypol pigment, which gives it a gray color. This dangerous ingredient can negatively affect reproductive function, as well as inhibit the work of enzymes important for metabolism. Recent studies have shown that this component has antitumor properties, but it has not yet been thoroughly studied. But one thing can be said for sure that an excess of gossypol in the body leads to severe poisoning, up to and including death.
In refined oil, it is completely excluded, which means there is no point in fearing. A refined quality product that is consumed in moderation cannot be harmful. The only contraindication to the use of cottonseed oil is individual intolerance.
How to take cottonseed oil
Before taking cottonseed oil inside for medicinal purposes, you should definitely consult with a specialist. For the most part, this is due to the fact that the amount, time, dose and duration of administration directly depends on the specific ailment. So, for example, for the treatment of stomach ulcers, oil is taken three to four times a day, 30 ml each before a meal. And for those who suffer from insomnia, one small spoonful of oil, drunk an hour and a half before going to bed, will be a real salvation.
