New on the Market Is Nusun , a Mid-Oleic Sunflower Oil That Contains About 60% Monounsaturated

SCIENCE BACKGROUNDER

Lipid-lowering effects of NuSun™ sunflower oil in moderately hypercholesterolemic men and women

Experimental Biology Meeting

April 2003

Contact: Kristen Elliott

703-841-1600

New on the market is NuSun™, a mid-oleic sunflower oil that contains over 90% unsaturated fat (approximately 60% monounsaturated fat and approximately 30% polyunsaturated fat) and less than 10% saturated fat. Because NuSun™ is higher in monounsaturated fat than traditional sunflower oil, it does not require hydrogenation for commercial baking and frying and is naturally trans fat free.

Clinical Trial

To test the heart-health benefits of NuSun™ sunflower oil, researchers at The Pennsylvania State University compared healthful diets with either NuSun™ or olive oil, to the average American diet. The NuSun™ sunflower oil and olive oil diets were moderate in total fat (30%), low in saturated fat (about 8%), and low in cholesterol (less than 300mg). The average American diet contained 34% total fat, 11% saturated fat, and 300 mg cholesterol.

The study consisted of a group of men and women with slightly elevated cholesterol levels. Each participant followed each of the three diets for four weeks.

The researchers conclude that:

Participants lowered total and LDL cholesterol with the NuSun™ diet versus the Average American, whereas participants on the Olive oil did not show significant cholesterol-lowering results1.

Practical Applications

These results emphasize that an optimal balance of fats in the diet is key to cardiovascular health. Current recommendations call for up to 20%2 monounsaturated fat, 5-10%3 or up to 10%2 polyunsaturated fat, and less than 7%4 saturated fat. NuSun™ is a natural oil with a healthful balance of fats—it contains monounsaturated fat as well as adequate amounts of polyunsaturated fat, and is low in saturated fat.

NuSun™ sunflower oil was developed by standard breeding techniques and is therefore, a natural, non-transgenic cooking oil. This oil works extremely well in commercial cooking and frying with a smoke point of 450˚ and a clean light taste. In addition, the natural stability of NuSun™ sunflower oil enhances product fry-life and shelf-life.

References:

1. Abstract 7930 (revised). Experimental Biology 2003, San Diego, CA.

2. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001;285(19):2486-97

3. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). 2002.

4. National Institutes of Health News Release: NCEP Issues Major New Cholesterol Guidelines (2001, May 15). Retrieved May 18, 2001, from the World Wide Web:

For more information on sunflower seeds or NuSun sunflower oil, contact:

National Sunflower Association

4023 State Street • Bismarck, ND 58503

701-328-5100 ph • 701-328-5101 fax