Wheat is one of the best known and most consumed cereals in the world. It responds to the scientific name of Triticum vulgare and the plant belongs to the botanical family of Poaceae. From the germ of the wheat seed, we extract a vegetable oil very famous in cosmetics. Focus on the properties and benefits of this oil.
Contents
The properties of oil
Generally, thewheat germ oil is yellow-brown in color. It has an oily liquid appearance with a texture that is both creamy and thick.
It has a characteristic smell and taste of cereals. In other words: both pronounced, sweet and bitter.
Its biochemical composition
Wheat germ oil essentially contains lipids. It contains Fatty acids saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
There is also a significant presence of vitamin E. Indeed, a quantity of 100 g of oil contains 255 mg. The other components are:
- Vitamins D, B1, B6, B2, B9, C, D, K and provitamin A
- Carotenoids
- Squalenes
- Lutein
- Betasitosterols
That vegetable oil also contains trace elements such as zinc, iron and magnesium.
Details of fatty acid composition
Fatty acids are the main constituents of wheat germ vegetable oil. Here is the breakdown:
- Linoleic acid or omega-6: 50 to 59%
- Palmitic acid: up to 19%
- Omega-9 or oleic acid: 13 to 21%
- Linolenic acid or omega-3: up to 10%
The other active and unsaponifiable principles occupy less than 5% of the total composition.
Manual
For cosmetic uses, wheat germ oil is applied through the skin. It is also used as an ingredient for a preparation ofmassage oil. For this, it is mixed with a few drops of essential oil.
In cooking, it is mainly used as a seasoning and sometimes as a cooking oil.
The benefits of this oil in cosmetics
Due to its richness in vitamin E which is a antioxidant, wheat germ oil is the anti-aging treatment par excellence. It is particularly suitable for sensitive, dry and mature skin. Indeed, it makes it possible at the same time to nourish, to soften, to firm and tone the skin.
On the other hand, it also nourishes and strengthens nails and hair. It is particularly effective for brittle and fragile nails as well as for damaged and dry hair.
Its main benefits
Wheat germ oil has properties that are beneficial to the body.
Firstly, thanks to the presence of vitamins K and E, it constitutes a ideal preventive measure against anemia and jaundice. These vitamins make it possible, in fact, to limit the destruction of red blood cells. Moreover, because of this anti-anemic property, this vegetable oil is then to be prescribed to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Secondly, thanks to its hypocholesterolemic activity, it protects the cardiovascular system diseases like stroke.
Finally, it helps solve the problems of impotence and sterility.
[HighProtein-Foods.com]
