But should cottonseed oil be a staple in your pantry?
What is cottonseed oil?
The oil has been extracted from the cotton plant, primarily for soaps,since the mid-19th century.
(Today, Crisco ismade fromsoybeanandpalm oils.)
Cottonseed oil can be used for at-home cooking and baking too.
Summary
Nutritional value.
Here’s the nutritional breakdown of 1 tablespoon of cottonseed oil,according to the USDA3.
You need all varieties of fat for energy and tohelp the body absorb specific vitamins.
On the flip side, cottonseed oil contains unsaturated fat, which may bebeneficial for cardiovascular health5.
What’s most important to keeping inflammation in check is consuming abalanced ratio of omega-6s and omega-3s.
Cottonseed oil has a much higher proportion of omega-6s than omega-3s.
Different forms of cottonseed oil.
“There are a lot of different solvents that are used to refine cottonseed oil,” says Nielsen.
It contains beneficial antioxidants.
This antioxidative property of cottonseed oilmay also promote skin health12.
Thevitamin Efound in the oil may encourage faster wound healing and treat conditions such as psoriasis and skin ulcers.
It may ease inflammation in moderation.
Other animal research backs up this potential benefit.
In turn, neuroinflammation was minimized, alleviating injury sparked by ischemic stroke, the researchers stated.
However, the results of rodent studies can’t necessarily be generalized to the human population.
The downsides of cottonseed oil.
(This is equivalent to roughly 4 tablespoons of cottonseed oil.)
It’s usually genetically modified.
Some cotton growers are testing genetically modified seeds toenhance the oil’s nutritional and functional properties16.
Cotton is high in pesticides and has a significant environmental impact.
Thesepesticides can run off into waterways,18exposing aquatic animals to toxic chemicals.
The oil itselfmay also contain traces of these harmful pesticides21.
So, is cottonseed oil healthy?
Cottonseed oil is alsoheavily refined, and its production raises some environmental and human health concerns.
Plus, it could contain pesticide residue.
For these reasons, it’s definitely not one of thehealthiest cooking oilsto keep around.
Cottonseed oil vs. other oils.
Thesmoke pointof olive oil depends on the specific variety.
Sunflower oil also has a higher smoke point of 450 degrees, so it’s better for high-temp cooking.
It’s also often genetically modified and highly refined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cottonseed oil better than olive oil?
Does cottonseed oil cause inflammation?
But only if it’s consumed in moderation and in a diet rich in omega-3s.
Is cottonseed oil good for cooking?
Thanks to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, cottonseed oil can be a good occasional cooking ingredient.
It’s particularly useful when baking moist, chewy treats and creating whipped toppings.
However, it should be consumed in moderation.
Olive oil and avocado oil are much healthier picks for everyday cooking.
