That may change, pending the results of the human study expected to start this month at Penn State University. The study will examine NuSun sunflower oil's effect on blood cholesterol levels. The monounsaturates mean the oil is stable, it has great taste, and because of no hydrogenation, no trans fats are created. Through traditional plant breeding, a mid-oleic or monounsaturated sunflower oil was developed. Later called NuSun, the oil combines excellent taste with health benefits.
Proponents say it works well in commercial applications such as frying.
It's already the oil used to make Pringles potato chips. The National Sunflower Association says about 35 percent of last year's oilseed sunflower acres were NuSun varieties. With positive results from the human diet study, producers could have reason to grow even more. There's a 50 to 70 cent per hundred weight premium for NuSun growers. The goal is to build new markets and increase return to sunflower growers.