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Safflower Oil

Safflower Oil is a cooking oil that is found in two main forms; high (up to 75%) linoleic (omega-6 fatty acid) and high (up to 75%) oleic, the main fatty acid in Olive Oil, with about 7% saturated fat content. It is a source of Conjugated Linoleic Acid.

Our evidence-based analysis on safflower oil features 8 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by .
Reviewed by
Examine.com Team
Last Updated:

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Human Effect Matrix

Unlocked for Examine Plus members

The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Safflower Oil has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

Full details are available to Examine Plus members.
Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
C-Reactive Protein
Minor - See study
A decrease in C-RP has been noted with safflower oil consumption
grade-d
HDL-C
Minor - See study
A slight increase in HDL-C has been noted with safflower oil
grade-d
HbA1c
Minor - See study
A slight decrease in HbA1c has been noted with safflower despite no alterations in any other diabetic biomarker
grade-d
Lean Mass
Minor - See study
An increase in lean mass relative to control (CLA) has been noted in obese menopausal women
grade-d
Blood Glucose
- - See study
No significant influence on blood glucose in diabetics
grade-d
Fat Mass
- - See study
No significant reduction in total fat mass, although in obese diabetic women a slight reduction in abdominal fat mass may exist.
grade-d
Insulin
- - See study
No significant influence on fasting insulin levels in diabetics
grade-d
Insulin Sensitivity
- - See study
No significant influence on insulin sensitivity in diabetics
grade-d
LDL-C
- - See study
No significant alterations in LDL-C concentrations
grade-d
Triglycerides
- - See study
No significant alterations in triglyceride concentrations
grade-d
Weight
- - See study
No significant changes in total body weight appear to be visible following ingestion of safflower oil in the diet

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Things to Note

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Carthamus tinctorius

Do Not Confuse With

Sunflower

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Research Breakdown on Safflower Oil

1Controlled Trials

1.1Various Health Effects

1.2Weight
Click here to see all 8 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 8 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Safflower Oil.

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