My friend lost two sizes just by cooking with safflower oil instead of canola. Could it work for me?
Yes! In an Ohio State University study, postmenopausal women who supplemented with 1 2/3 tsp of safflower oil daily lost an average of 6.3 percent of their abdominal fat in 16 weeks. What’s more, follow-up research suggests the same dose of safflower oil increases insulin sensitivity by 2.7 percent, boosts levels of “good” HDL cholesterol by 14 percent and curbs inflammation by 17.5 percent in 16 weeks. The credit goes to polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oil that rev the production of the fat-burning hormone adiponectin.
It’s important to note, though, that the healthy fats in safflower oil break down when exposed to heat and oxygen. So while using safflower oil in your favorite recipes can help you slim like your friend, you’ll see more impressive results if you use 2 to 3 tsp. of oil raw in salad dressings or drizzled over vegetables daily.
