What is Corn Oil

Corn oil is made from the kernels of the corn plant, which is one of the most widely produced crops worldwide. Corn oil is a vegetable oil and often more affordable than other popular vegetable oils, and because of that it is very popular and regularly used in many parts of the world. In this article, we shall understand the various usecases of corn oil. Should you even use corn oil remains another topic. Another reason for its regular use is its vast availability.

Corn oil has a faint golden hue and a mild, understated flavor. Corn oil is often used in salad dressings because of its bland nature. It is especially popular for deep frying, and it is also used in baked products, including cookies and bread. Due to its low cost of production and ease of cultivation, corn oil became incredibly popular in the mid-nineteenth century, following a surge in corn farming. After that production boost, corn starch became a commercial success, and soon after that corn oil was introduced to the market for everyday household use. Corn oil is made primarily from genetically modified corn and that is why it is less expensive than other, healthier vegetable oils.

Before the oil can be extracted from the corn kernels, the kernels go through a lengthy chemical process. Corn oil can be produced using both wet milling and dry milling techniques. Various chemicals, such as hexane and isohexane, are used in this extraction process. After collection, the oil is purified to remove any hazardous compounds or harmful phosphatides that may be present in it. It is termed crude corn oil when the oil hasn’t been properly refined. This form of crude corn oil is commonly used as a lubricant and fuel in the paint industries and ink industries. Corn oil is also utilized in biodiesel manufacturing and in several pesticides. For cooking applications, completely refined corn oil is required.

Corn oil contains no protein or carbs and is entirely made up of fat. Per tablespoon, it contains more than hundred calories, some vitamins and around fourteen grams of fat. During the production of corn oil from corn, many additional natural vitamins and minerals are lost. But even after that, there is a substantial amount of vitamin E present in corn oil. Vitamin E is important for our diet because it is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps the body fight inflammation. Antioxidants are chemicals that counter dangerous free radicals, the most common substances behind type II diabetes and heart disease.

Ingredients of Corn Oil

Let’s discuss all the main ingredients of corn oil in details.

We already know about the presence of Vitamin E in corn oil. Apart from that, linoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid are some of the other components in corn oil. Among these, linoleic acid is particularly important as this essential fatty acid is not naturally produced by the human body.

Linoleic acid

The two principal fatty acids necessary in our daily diet are linoleic acid, also known as omega-6 fatty acid, and alpha linolenic acid, generally known as omega-3 fatty acid. Fatty acids, which make up a significant amount of our body’s lipids, are essential energy sources. Corn oil provides both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Foods with low quantities of linolenic acid are recommended because they are less likely to go sour.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a component that is required for the proper functioning of our vital organs. It’s a potent antioxidant as well. This means it helps to slow down cell damage. Vitamin E is naturally found in a variety of animal and plant-based foods. It’s also obtainable as a supplement, but a well-balanced dietary plan which is rich in fruits and vegetables is always preferred over supplemental vitamin tablets.

Palmitic acid

Palmitic acid, also known as hexadecanoic acid, is the most common saturated fatty acid found in plants and animals. Palm oil contains a large amount of natural palmitic acid, but it is also produced by a range of other plants and animals, albeit in smaller amounts.

Oleic acid

The fatty acid oleic acid belongs to the omega-9 family of fatty acids. Unlike linolenic acid, oleic acid is produced naturally by our bodies. It’s also found in a variety of everyday foods. Oleic acid is found abundantly in olive oil and other vegetable oils. Oleic acid-rich oils are used to substitute saturated fats in the diet.

Stearic acid

Stearic acid, also referred to as octadecanoic acid, is a long-chain fatty acid found in both organic vegetable fats and animal fats, though animal fat contains significantly higher amount of stearic acid than vegetable fat. It’s a thick, opaque substance that’s almost water insoluble.

Corn Oil Uses

Corn oil has a wide range of applications as detailed below.

Table of Contents

Corn oil for deep frying

Corn oil is most well known for its use as frying oil. Corn oil has a higher smoke point than most vegetable oils. The temperature at which oil begins to burn is known as the oil’s smoke point. The high smoke point of corn oil makes it perfect for deep-frying without burning the food. Corn oil is a popular choice for home cooking since it is so readily available and relatively cheaper than other vegetable oils. It can also be found in mass produced baked goods and in salad dressings.

Corn oil is used in the cosmetics industry

Corn oil is sometimes used in soaps and shampoos in the cosmetics sector. Some people, however, employ organic corn oil for medical or topical purposes, sometimes as massage oil as well. The health benefits of corn oil for these purposes are determined by the oil’s source and processing system.

Corn oil is used in the paint industry

It’s applied as a cleaning oil and grease in the paint business. It can also be utilized for the production of fuel and energy.

Corn oil can reduce allergic reactions

Some of the chemicals found in corn oil have been shown to lessen allergic sensitivity in the body. Although corn oil is seldom used as topical oil, it has been found that in some cases, when applied directly to the skin, it can assist in controlling allergic reactions.

Corn oil helps to reduce inflammation

When taken in moderation, both omega-3 and omega-6 are known to help the body fight inflammation. This can aid with various arthritis symptoms, as well as migraine headaches, gastrointestinal issues and even chronic skin inflammation.

Corn oil can help in balancing the cholesterol levels

The body needs both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats because they can help regulate inflammation and high cholesterol levels. In most forms of corn oil, both of these fats are present in balanced proportion. As a result, corn oil can lower blood pressure and balance cholesterol. But always use it in moderate amounts in cooking.

Corn oil can help prevent some chronic diseases

Antioxidant qualities can be found in flavonoids, vitamin E, polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, all of which can help lower oxidative stress in the body. That is why corn oil, when taken in moderation, can help to avoid chronic disease and make the skin appear and feel younger.

Corn oil can help your vision

Corn oil has other elements besides lipids, such as flavonoids and antioxidants like lutein, which can help the body minimize free radical activity. Lutein, in particular, has the ability to safeguard eye health and prevent the onset of cataracts.

Corn oil for natural skin care

Corn oil’s antioxidants can help prevent skin infections and soothe skin irritation and chronic acne when applied directly on the skin.

These are the main uses of corn oil. You should always remember that this oil is abundant in calories and fat, and should be taken in moderation, regardless of its positive effects.

Benefits of Corn Oil

Although there is some debate regarding corn oil’s health impacts, the nutritional facts are evident, and when consumed in moderation, this oil can provide the body with some essential elements. Organic corn oil contains high quantities of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Linoleic and oleic acids are among them, but the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in corn oil is far from optimum. Omega-6 fatty acids are roughly fifty times more abundant than omega-3 fatty acids present in corn oil, the optimum ratio is one is to one.

The high quantities of vitamin E in this oil, as well as the presence of xanthins and vitamin A, and trace amounts of other antioxidant chemicals, can help you feel healthier. It also contains phytosterols, which can aid with a variety of health problems. Plant-based compounds with a structure similar to animal cholesterol are known as phytosterols. It has anti-inflammatory characteristics, and eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help prevent heart disease and other conditions. Corn oil has a notably high phytosterol level when compared to other culinary oils like olive oil or canola oil. Additionally, phytosterols have been shown to help the body avoid cholesterol absorption. As a result, they are able to help with cholesterol reduction. High cholesterol is a great risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Downsides of Corn Oil

Corn oil has a number of negative effects, including a higher risk of coronary heart disease, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal problems, an increased risk of getting cancer and weight gain. Corn oil is often avoided by consumers looking for a healthy vegetable oil, even when they intend to use it in reasonable quantities. If you’re going to use this oil, make sure it’s organic corn oil, because it’ll have less harmful ingredients.

Although corn oil contains some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio is highly skewed, and this oil is heavy in fat. A single tablespoon provides almost twenty percent of your daily fat requirement. It can raise cholesterol levels in people who use too much of it, especially those who already have serious health problems. If you are looking to drop a few pounds, corn oil will further worsen your state.

There is a risk of toxicity in corn oil due to the high amount of pesticides and herbicides used in some production techniques. This can harm your kidneys or liver. Knowing where your corn oil was produced and refined is critical.

Healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are vital and should be included in one’s diet because the body cannot generate them. But they must be consumed in the correct ratio. According to a research report, consuming too much omega 6 compared to omega 3 might promote chronic inflammation, which can lead to various malignancies.

Although corn oil has some health benefits, it is also heavy in calories. Olive oil, which is considered a healthy vegetable oil, contains about forty calories per tablespoon whereas corn oil contains more than a hundred calories per tablespoon. As a result, consuming too much of this oil might drastically increase your daily calorie consumption without you even realizing it.

Several studies have linked linoleic acid, an omega-6 lipid present in corn oil, to improved health when taken in moderation, but the linoleic acid level present in corn oil may not be optimum for your health. Omega-6 fats, on the other hand, may be downright harmful if consumed in large amounts. This imbalance has been associated with cardiovascular disease, extreme weight gain and could also be linked with a possible decline in mental health.

Another potential health problem of corn oil is that it is mostly generated from genetically modified corn. The majority of corn grown now has been genetically modified to resist insects and various forms of herbicides such as glyphosate. The accumulation of glyphosate in the body has the potential to become harmful.

During its extraction procedure, corn oil undergoes extensive refinement. It also goes through a lengthy chemical operation after the oil is extracted, to make the oil edible. As a result of this process, corn oil is more susceptible to become oxidized. If you consume products that have been oxidized, it can increase your risk of acquiring ailments later in life.

Now that we have discussed the various uses of corn oil and considered the potential pros and cons, it’s evident that even though corn oil has a number of potential benefits, including the ability to provide fatty acids and vitamin E, there are many negative side effects to consider. Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, extreme weight gain and other toxic effects are all very serious health issues. That’s why it’s better if you consider all your options before starting to use corn oil.