Safflower Oil

ORAC Value:
1,380
μ mol TE/100g.

The antioxidant value of Safflower Oil described in ORAC units is: 1,380 μ mol TE/100g.

 

After being highlighted on the Dr. Oz show several years back, this oil has been heavily marketed as a dietary supplement. Aside from the purported weight loss benefits, are there are there any antioxidants in safflower oil? Yes and no.

Yes, the antioxidant content of safflower is significantly higher than corn oil at 340, canola oil at 460, and olive oil at 372. In fact when it comes to natural cooking oils, it's higher than all others in our database. The only other that comes close is coconut oil at 1070.

No, it doesn't contain high amounts when you base it off the average serving size. The ORAC scale looks at how much are found in 100 grams worth, which is about 3.5 ounces. If you ate that much safflower oil at once, you would be consuming 517 calories!

So yes, it's high relative to others, but it shouldn't be counted on as a source of phenolic compounds since your typical serving of one tablespoon would be the equivalent of around 189 ORAC units.

ORAC Source

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't: Carlsen MH, Halvorsen BL, Holte K, et al. Nutrition Journal NIH Jan 2010