What Is Cottonseed Oil Used For?

Seeds from several species of cotton plants are harvested to make cottonseed oil. The oil is used in cooking, feed for animals and nonfood items, and as an ingredient in chips and snacks.

Function

Cottonseed oil is good for frying, cooking and as a salad oil because it is lower in cholesterol and costs less than other oil choices. It is used in margarine and shortening.

Potential

A compound in cottonseed oil called “gossypol” is being explored as an anti-cancer drug. Gossypol is able to inhibit growth of a wide range of cancer cells both in a lab dish and in mice and other lab animals.

History

Cottonseed oil throughout history has been used in many nonfood products such as cosmetics, explosives, insecticides, rubber and soap.

Considerations

Cottonseed oil can be the culprit when people react in an allergic fashion to pets. It may be the cottonseed oil and other oils in pet foods that could be causing the allergy symptoms, and not the pet.

Warning

Andrew Weil, M.D., wrote about the dangers of cottonseed oil in his book “Eight Weeks to Optimum Health,” stating that cottonseed oil contains natural toxins and unacceptable levels of pesticide residues.