Healthy Cooking Oils
Which oil is healthiest for cooking? With all the information out there about hidden dangers in certain types of 'traditional oils' that have been used in cooking, this question begs for answer. Some oils and fats used in cooking are actually harmful, while others are healthy. Many people believe that anything labeled "vegetable oil" is healthy for those who want to lose weight. The truth is vegetable oil is not very healthy for people who want to lose weight.
Here is the reason.
Most of the oils labelled vegetable oil are refined soybean, cottonseed, corn oil or other oils produced under the impact of high heat, pressure and industrial solvents. Oils processed under this industrial conditions are UNHEALTHY for you. The problem with so called vegetable oil processed under these conditions is that these oils contain a type of fat called, polyunsaturated fat which is the most reactive type of fat which releases free radicals when subjected to the pressure of heat and light, and hence is prone to oxidation.
Polyunsaturated fat, which, due to their nature of high reactivity under heat and light causes the most inflammation inside the human body tissues when consumed, thus bringing about ill-health effects like heart disease, diabetes and other degenerative diseases under prolonged usage. Take note that what makes the so-called vegetable oil unhealthy for fat burning is the production process it undergoes. In other words, the natural materials that these oil come from in their natural or unprocessed state is healthy. So even though a polyunsaturated fat source like nuts and seeds can be eaten without any unhealthy effects as long as it is not subjected to a certain degree of heat and light, then it is not inflammatory.
When polyunsaturated fats are eaten in their natural state, they become a healthy source of polyunsaturated fats. That is why it is always better to eat nuts and seeds in their natural state to avoid the oxidation of polyunsaturated fats which happens when nuts and seeds are roasted. Now you may be wondering, this polyunsaturated fat, what is it really about? Here is a little explanation for a better understanding.
Fats are classified in the following forms:
1. Polyunsaturated Fat
This is the fat found mostly in nuts, seeds, fish, algae, leafy greens.
2. Monounsaturated Fat
The fat found in nuts including peanuts, walnuts, avocado, and olive oil. The foods containing monounsaturated fats reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while possibly increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
3. Saturated Fats
This fat is found mostly in coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil. In contrast to what we all believe and what most dieticians will tell you, Saturated fats is the best source of cooking oil and hence the healthiest.
Reason?
Saturated fats are more stable in nature and do not produce as much inflammation in the body tissue when exposed to heat and light. That is why commonly overlooked oils like palm oil and coconut oil are the best oils for cooking. These oils have little polyunsaturated fats and contain more of natural saturated fats which are not reactive under heat, light and pressure and hence no oxidation which cause the inflammation in body tissues.
This is also the reason why natural butter (not Blue Band Margarine), is one of the best oils for
cooking in addition to palm oil and coconut oil. This information might be contrary to what you hear from dieticians and health professionals who do not fully understand the biochemistry of fats and who believe that saturated fat is bad for you.
The truth is, saturated fat oils from tropical zones like Africa are good for you because according to findings, they contain an element called (MCT) Medium Chain Triglycerides which is known to strengthen the immune system and which is lacking in so many people's diets because they hardly use palm oil or coconut oil.
To recap, your best cooking oils are palm oil, coconut oil or natural butter (shea butter, almond butter, etc). Vegetable oil which is industry processed oil from soybean, cottonseed, corn oil, etc are less healthy for cooking or baking. However, as with everything in life, there should always be moderation. Even when you cook with saturated oils, use minimally as too much use of it can actually aid fast fat gain. As much as possible reduce your oil intake.
Here is the reason.
Most of the oils labelled vegetable oil are refined soybean, cottonseed, corn oil or other oils produced under the impact of high heat, pressure and industrial solvents. Oils processed under this industrial conditions are UNHEALTHY for you. The problem with so called vegetable oil processed under these conditions is that these oils contain a type of fat called, polyunsaturated fat which is the most reactive type of fat which releases free radicals when subjected to the pressure of heat and light, and hence is prone to oxidation.
Polyunsaturated fat, which, due to their nature of high reactivity under heat and light causes the most inflammation inside the human body tissues when consumed, thus bringing about ill-health effects like heart disease, diabetes and other degenerative diseases under prolonged usage. Take note that what makes the so-called vegetable oil unhealthy for fat burning is the production process it undergoes. In other words, the natural materials that these oil come from in their natural or unprocessed state is healthy. So even though a polyunsaturated fat source like nuts and seeds can be eaten without any unhealthy effects as long as it is not subjected to a certain degree of heat and light, then it is not inflammatory.
When polyunsaturated fats are eaten in their natural state, they become a healthy source of polyunsaturated fats. That is why it is always better to eat nuts and seeds in their natural state to avoid the oxidation of polyunsaturated fats which happens when nuts and seeds are roasted. Now you may be wondering, this polyunsaturated fat, what is it really about? Here is a little explanation for a better understanding.
Fats are classified in the following forms:
1. Polyunsaturated Fat
This is the fat found mostly in nuts, seeds, fish, algae, leafy greens.
2. Monounsaturated Fat
The fat found in nuts including peanuts, walnuts, avocado, and olive oil. The foods containing monounsaturated fats reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while possibly increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
3. Saturated Fats
This fat is found mostly in coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil. In contrast to what we all believe and what most dieticians will tell you, Saturated fats is the best source of cooking oil and hence the healthiest.
Saturated fats are more stable in nature and do not produce as much inflammation in the body tissue when exposed to heat and light. That is why commonly overlooked oils like palm oil and coconut oil are the best oils for cooking. These oils have little polyunsaturated fats and contain more of natural saturated fats which are not reactive under heat, light and pressure and hence no oxidation which cause the inflammation in body tissues.
This is also the reason why natural butter (not Blue Band Margarine), is one of the best oils for
The truth is, saturated fat oils from tropical zones like Africa are good for you because according to findings, they contain an element called (MCT) Medium Chain Triglycerides which is known to strengthen the immune system and which is lacking in so many people's diets because they hardly use palm oil or coconut oil.
To recap, your best cooking oils are palm oil, coconut oil or natural butter (shea butter, almond butter, etc). Vegetable oil which is industry processed oil from soybean, cottonseed, corn oil, etc are less healthy for cooking or baking. However, as with everything in life, there should always be moderation. Even when you cook with saturated oils, use minimally as too much use of it can actually aid fast fat gain. As much as possible reduce your oil intake.
Culled and edited. Images: Google
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