Healthy oil alternatives: high oleic sunflower oil

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of what ingredients go into their food and drinks, driving a need for manufacturers to use simple, natural ingredients in their formulations. Healthy oil alternatives are one option for manufacturers looking to reformulate existing products or create new ones which appeal to these discerning consumers. But what oil options are there? Is high oleic sunflower oil healthy? Read on to find out more about high oleic sunflower oil, its benefits and how it can be incorporated into product formulations.

What is high oleic sunflower oil?

High oleic sunflower oil is characterised by for its high percentage of oleic acid (monounsaturated fat). In order to be considered high-oleic, sunflower oil needs to have a minimum of 70% oleic acid. With such a high oleic acid content, these oils can contribute to heart health and provide a good source of vitamin E. What’s more, these high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) make high-oleic sunflower oil more shelf-stable and less prone to oxidisation compared with other types of vegetable oil, like olive or canola oil,  which tend to be higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These qualities, together with the neutral taste, make high-oleic sunflower oils a useful and versatile ingredient for food applications.

High oleic sunflower oil vs sunflower oil

High oleic sunflower oil and regular sunflower oil have some key formulaic differences that affect how they can be utilised in product recipes:

• Oleic acid content: High oleic sunflower oil contains a much higher concentration of oleic acid -typically around 70-85% - compared to the 20-30% found in regular sunflower oil. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat known for its oxidative stability and its positive impact on cholesterol heart health.
• Linoleic acid content: In contrast, regular sunflower oil has higher levels of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat that is more susceptible to oxidation. Its presence makes the oil less stable under heat or prolonged storage conditions.

These formulaic differences greatly affect both the functional stability of the oil and the eventual health impact of the end product application. Being more stable and resistant to oxidisation, high oleic sunflower oil is better suited to applications requiring longer shelf life or high-heat processing. Its clean, neutral flavour also allows it to support other ingredient flavours without interference.

What are the heart health benefits of high oleic sunflower oil?

High oleic sunflower oil offers a number of heart health benefits. Its rich monounsaturated fat content can help to lower LDL levels (commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (or “good” cholesterol) levels. This balancing action is particularly beneficial to cardiovascular health, and associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. As well as this, high oleic sunflower oil has a high vitamin E content. Acting as an antioxidant, vitamin E can also contribute to heart health by protecting heart cells from oxidative stress. High oleic sunflower oil is also naturally free of trans fats, so it serves as a healthier alternative to partially hydrogenated oils. 

High oleic sunflower oil applications

With its shelf-stability and neutral taste, high-oleic sunflower oil is a versatile ingredient which can be used across a wide variety of food applications. With easy handling and good dispersibility NEIVA^® High Oleic Sunflower Oil Powder is also ideal for applications which use a dry powder mix.

In bakery applications, high oleic content provides oxidative stability during extended baking times. For products like sweet baked goods and crisps which are traditionally high in cholesterol, the high oleic sunflower offers an alternative to sunflower oil which can actually help to lower overall cholesterol. 

In non-dairy creamers, high oleic sunflower oil can replicate the mouthfeel and taste of dairy to help create vegan products that feel creamy and indulgent, all with the added heart health benefits.

High oleic sunflower oil is a great option for mayonnaise or salad dressing and it can also act as a spray coating for cereals, increasing water retention and preventing small oats and grains from clumping together. 

In all these cases, since the US Food and Drugs Administration approved qualified health claims for high oleic sunflower oil, food labels can state that high oleic sunflower oil may help reduce the risk of heart disease when used in place of saturated fats.

High oleic sunflower oil solutions from Ohly

High oleic sunflower oil solutions from Ohly are specifically designed to provide the benefits of high oleic sunflower oil in an easy-to-use powdered form. This means they seamlessly blend with different flavours, ingredients and textures, whilst still offering the same great health benefits. NEIVA^® High Oleic Sunflower Oil Powder offers a versatile way to incorporate oleic acid into your product formulations. The powder format makes it easy to add to both powder and liquid applications, with a uniform dispersion that protects product integrity. Our drying process minimises nutrient degradation to ensure that the beneficial effects of the oleic acid remain effective over time, extending shelf-life in the end-product.

Why choose Ohly?

At Ohly, our NEIVA^® range is carefully designed and formulated by our team of experts, creating specialised powder solutions that combine function and nutrition to support immune health and overall wellbeing. Our continued R&D investment and state-of-the-art spray-dry processes have allowed us to create top-quality powdered ingredients, including NEIVA^® MCT Powder and NEIVA^® Glucan Max as well as NEIVA^® High Oleic Sunflower Oil Powder. When you choose our innovative solutions, you’ll benefit from our decades of expertise in yeast-based ingredients and culinary powders. Our NEIVA^® range can be tailored to work alongside your ingredients to produce natural, clean-label solutions for functional food, sports nutrition and dietary supplements.

Want to find out more about how you can incorporate NEIVA^® High Oleic Sunflower Oil Powder into your next application? Get in touch today or request a sample.