What is the difference between soya lecithin and lecithin

Read on to learn the benefits and disadvantages of sunflower lecithin vs soy lecithin. This information will help you choose the best one for your health.

Sunflower lecithin refers to the fatty substances extracted from sunflowers. It is a collection of phospholipids that are extremely essential for our health. Sunflower lecithin contains natural antioxidants and some volatile compounds. These compounds help to improve health and reduce the risk of diseases. The phospholipids present in sunflower lecithin include phosphatidylcholine, choline, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol.

According to the study published in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society , sunflower lecithin offers a rich source of phosphatidylcholine and essential fatty acids.

The primary function of these compounds is to protect the integrity of the cell membranes. Soy lecithin is the extract obtained from raw soybeans. The extraction process involves the use of a chemical solvent like hexane.

Later, the crude soy extract passes through a degumming process until the lecithin is hydrated. Later, it is separated from the oil. The composition of soy lecithin can vary depending on the manufacturer and intended use. Now, we have a clear understanding of what sunflower and soy lecithin are. So, let us dig deeper and learn, which one is safe to include in your regular diet. We will also take a look at the effectiveness of both these sources to help you choose the best one for improving your health and controlling the risk of disorders.

Sunflower lecithin can be extracted naturally without the use of chemicals. Hence, it is a safer and healthier choice compared to soy lecithin. Also, the purity of phospholipids in Sunflower lecithin is comparatively higher than soy lecithin due to the differences in their extraction methods. This makes Sunflower lecithin more effective in the management of disorders compared to soy lecithin. Sunflower lecithin provides a higher amount of choline than soy lecithin.

According to the study published in the Nutrition Reviews , choline plays a role in several physiological processes occurring in the body. Hence, sunflower lecithin can improve your likelihood of preventing the deficiency of Choline.

This will help you avoid the hormonal imbalances associated with soy lecithin. According to a study published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology , soy lecithin contains a higher level of estrogens. It increases the risk of hormonal problems in women such as infertility, menstrual irregularities and menopausal symptoms. A number of studies have found high estrogenic activity in soybean lecithin, but this is due not to our known genesin but to the previously unknown compound.

The alternative - lecithin from sunflower seeds. The other crop that contains high levels of lecithin is sunflower. Some prefer sunflower lecithin to soybeans because it does not hide the potential for GMO and allergic reaction. A major advantage in sunflower lecithin is the way it is obtained - by cold pressing without the use of chemicals. It has all the benefits of soy lecithin, plus a few more: - does not contain phytoestrogens; - contains antioxidants and slows aging; - improves the process of healing of both internal and external wounds; - helps with nervous system disorders; - promotes better sleep; - Reduces the risk of arthritis, improves joint movement.

How can you take lecithin? Due to its neutral taste, lecithin is also suitable for salted salads, dippers and soups. Here is our recipe: Comparative characteristics of soybean and sunflower: Fatty acid content: Palmitic acid soya - 16; sunflower - 17 Stearic acid soybeans - 5; sunflower - 6 Oleic acid soya - 19; sunflower - 19 Linoleic acid soya - 53; sunflower - 63 Linoleic acid soybeans - 6; sunflower - 1 Phospholipid content: Phosphatidylethanolamine soybeans - 8; sunflower - 7 Phosphatidylcholine soya - 12; sunflower - 15 Phosphatidic acid soya - 3.

Added items to compare Compare Clear. Your favorite products Clear. Phone orders:. Cleaning preparations Laundry detergents. Soybean or sunflower lecithin? Therefore, the commercial extraction of lecithin can be done from soybeans and sunflowers.

However, the extractions and quality of lecithin may vary based on the source. Hence, this article mainly focuses on the difference between soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin. Overview and Key Difference 2. What is Soy Lecithin 3. What is Sunflower Lecithin 4. Soybean is a popular source for the extraction of lecithin. In fact, it is a cost-effective source of lecithin. Hence, lecithin extraction from soybean commonly is done in many countries.

The extraction of lecithin from soybean involves chemicals such as acetone and hexane. However, consuming soy-derived lecithin is less healthy than sunflower lecithin since most of the soybean crops are genetically modified.

Moreover, the extraction is not natural, unlike sunflower lecithin. Despite having the above-mentioned facts, soy lecithin is one of the most widely used food additives. Sunflower lecithin is a type of lecithin we derive from sunflower. Sunflower lecithin is becoming popular over soy lecithin due to several reasons.