Safflower
What the research shows
PrototypeNo concerns
none of the findings here link it to harm
4 health findings on this page, 3 in people · See the findings
A plant grown for oil from its seeds.
Its seeds are used to make vegetable oil.
Written from English Wikipedia1
What research says
Studies in people
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Benefit
Artery stiffness2
In people with high-normal or mild high blood pressure, 12 weeks of safflower seed extract improved one measure of artery stiffness.
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Benefit
Belly fat and blood pressure3
In people with metabolic syndrome, safflower oil daily reduced belly fat, blood pressure and blood sugar.
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Benefit
Heart and artery health4
In people, safflower seed extract lowered signs of blood vessel stress and inflammation, though artery stiffness changes were mixed.
Animal and lab studies only
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Benefit
Blood sugar and fat digestion5
In lab studies, safflower petal extract added to yogurt blocked enzymes that break down sugar and fat.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Products
The 6 most-scanned of 2,331 products on Open Food Facts that list safflower.
- MEAT-FREE TASTY SAUSAGES RICHMOND · 304 g 3 additives
- KEFIR YOGURT Passion Fruit Mango and Papaya Graham's · 350 g 0 additives
- Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Pink Salt Potato Chips Kirkland Signature · 32 oz. (2 lb.) 907 g 0 additives
- Maoam Haribo · 250 g 5 additives
- Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Cape Cod · 30 oz 0 additives
- Tangfastics HARIBO · 175 g 6 additives
References
- 1Safflower. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- 2Suzuki K, Tsubaki S, Fujita M, Koyama N, Takahashi M, Takazawa K. Effects of safflower seed extract on arterial stiffness. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2010;6:1007-14. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S13998
- 3Ruyvaran M, Zamani A, Mohamadian A, et al. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil could improve abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022;282:114590. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114590
- 4Koyama N, Suzuki K, Furukawa Y, et al. Effects of safflower seed extract supplementation on oxidation and cardiovascular risk markers in healthy human volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2009;101(4):568-75. doi:10.1017/S0007114508025786
- 5Hong H, Lim JM, Kothari D, et al. Antioxidant Properties and Diet-Related α-Glucosidase and Lipase Inhibitory Activities of Yogurt Supplemented with Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Petal Extract. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2021;41(1):122-134. doi:10.5851/kosfa.2020.e88