Do you know that high oleic soybean oil boasts many benefits compared to conventional oils? The oil brings several attractive traits to the table and hence is popular. You would be surprised to know that high oleic soybean oil is sustainably grown by American farmers today primarily because of its improved fat profile.
The oil is not only beneficial for cardiovascular health but is suitable for several chronic diseases too. Additionally, the new product has a longer shelf life too. The oil can last three times longer than conventional soybean oil if used for frying.
High Oleic Soybean Oil – For Your Heart Health
Only in 2011 did high oleic soybean oils become commercially available. Unlike commodity soybean oil, high oleic soybean oils have a lower concentration of PUFA and a higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids. As the high oleic name implies – oleic acid is high in these oils. The predominant fatty acid present in olive oil is oleic acid.
While these oils are liquid at room temperature, they have a more extended shelf- and fry-life than commodity soybean oil. Further, if you blend high oleic soybean oil with other oils, it is possible to create oil blends that might increase functionality for a greater variety of food applications.
It was only in 2015 that scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service who were from the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center conducted a clinical study. The team evaluated how high oleic soybean oil and blends of high oleic soybean oil could significantly affect cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes high oleic oils as they benefit your cardiovascular health. It is important to note that high oleic soybean oil contains more than 70 percent oleic acid. Scientific evidence suggests that consuming only 1.5 tablespoons of oils containing high levels of oleic acid may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Use this oil to replace fats and oils higher in saturated fat, and it will not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.
Plant-based Oil
A few years back, the edible oil industry lost traction after the FDA confirmed that widely-popular hydrogenated oils were unsafe. Hydrogenated oils contain trans fats, which contribute to heart disease. Bakers and chefs began looking for healthier options. Then, high oleic soybean oil, a newcomer, slowly started gaining popularity.
Made from soybeans grown only in the USA, high oleic soybean oil slowly replaced hydrogenated oils. It was an attractive option for food service use because of its neutral flavor, improved fat profile, and long shelf life.
You should know that high oleic soybean oil is high in monounsaturated fat – the healthy fat found not only in soybeans. But it is also found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts. These monounsaturated fats can help reduce the risk of heart disease, decrease inflammation and help with weight loss plans.
Unlike conventional soybean oil, high oleic soybean oil often undergoes a chemical process that creates a more stable product. Therefore, it is a healthier replacement for high cholesterol animal fats like lard or butter, which are banned from hydrogenated oils.
Fat Profile of High Oleic Soybean Oil
High oleic soybean oil has an improved fat profile with no trans-fat. Compared to conventional oils, the oil has a fatty acid composition similar to olive oil. Today consumers view olive oil as the healthiest oil.
High oleic soybean oil contains 8.8 to 10.8 percent saturated fatty acid. All the other oils, like olive oil, canola oil, and corn oil, have less.
High oleic soybean oil contains more than 70 percent oleic acid – a healthy monounsaturated fatty acid. It is essential to know that monounsaturated fats such as oleic acid effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol (the bad kind), and triglycerides. At the same time, monounsaturated fats can raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and good cholesterol.
Long Lasting
When we talk about functionality, high oleic soybean oil has a longer shelf life and an extended fry life. Meaning it can provide improved resistance to oxidation. The oil has reduced the build-up of polymers on food service equipment in high heat. The feature can result in less equipment maintenance, thus lowering operating costs.
Because of the oxidative stability of high oleic soybean oil, it blends well and can provide customized solutions to product needs. The oil can perform longer than standard most vegetable oils at high temperatures.
High oleic soybean oil is priced when compared with other high-stability alternatives. But it is expected that the costs will continue to decline as the volume of oil produced increases. Transportation costs for high oleic soybean oil will continue to decrease once domestic availability increases.
American Grown
High oleic soybean oil is grown in the USA. Its use and consumption support American farmers, businesses, and the agriculture industry as a whole. The US high oleic soybean oil is sustainably grown by farm families across the country. These soybeans are primarily produced by 78 Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota farmers.
Conclusion
High oleic soybean oil, derived from a GMO soybean crop, contains lower saturated fat than conventional soybean oil. Additionally, it does not contribute any trans fats to products. High oleic soybean oil also delivers three times the amount of beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids than regular soybean oil. High oleic soybean oil extends a product’s shelf life. It has an improved fat profile, offers edible oil’s most extended fry life, and contains a neutral flavor. One of the most significant results of high oleic soybean oil is its health benefits. It also eliminates the need for food-grade chemicals to be added to the product. It is one of the best examples of how GMOs can positively impact our health.
