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Composition of Cottonseed Oil

Cottonseed oil has a number of health benefits as it contains a high level of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Cottonseed oil is a good source of essential fatty acids. According to the National Cottonseed Products Association website, cottonseed oil ranks third in volume of major vegetable oil produced in the United States in 2011.

  1. Extraction

    • According to Len Price, in "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage," cottonseed was originally grown in India. It was introduced to the United States in 1777 and today it is prevalent across the country. Cottonseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the cottonseed plant; the seeds are contained in capsules formed from the flower of the cottonseed plant. Cottonseed oil is a refined oil, which means it has gone through an extraction process that meets the large scale needs of industry; consequently, some of the plant's natural properties and benefits might be lost in the process.

    Polyunsaturated Fats

    • Polyunsaturated fats are the main component of cottonseed oil; cottonseed oil contains approximately 52 percent of linoleic acid which is a polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fats are found in many plant-based oils. Foods and oils rich in polyunsaturated fats improve cholesterol levels and decrease the possibility of heart disease.

    Monounsaturated Fats

    • The National Cottonseed Products Association website writes that cottonseed oil contains approximately 18 percent of monounsaturated fats, primarily oleic acid. Foods containing monounsaturated fats also improve cholesterol levels and therefore reduce the risk of heart disease.

    Saturated Fats

    • According to the National Cottonseed Products Association website, cottonseed oil contains approximately 26 percent saturated fats, predominantly stearic and palmitic acids. Saturated fats are one of the two main types of potentially harmful fats in diets; saturated fats may increase cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. However, cottonseed oil contains a much higher level of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than saturated fats.

    Benefits

    • Cottonseed oil also contains vitamin E, an important antioxidant in the prevention of heart disease. According to the National Cottonseed Products Association website, cottonseed oil is predominantly used in salad dressing, sauce and marinade or as a frying oil. It is also used in baked products. Cottonseed oil is used to reduce saturated fat intake. It has a relatively long shelf life as it is not prone to rancidity.

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