How to choose the healthiest vegetable oil correctly? Types of product and subtleties of purchase. The shops are lined with bottles of vegetable oils of various types and manufacturers. The prices are as different as the oils. Therefore, buying an inexpensive but useful product is a real problem. Let's figure out how to choose the healthiest oil.
Vegetable oil is a valuable product. It is obtained from seeds, fruits and other parts of plants. At the same time, all types of oils are rich in nutrients, have a high energy value, are easily digested and are simply a tasty addition to various dishes. However, many of us are only familiar with sunflower and olive oil. But there are several dozen of its varieties. We will find out which vegetable oil is better and how to choose it correctly.
Refined and unrefined vegetable oil
Natural product - unrefined oil. It is obtained from plant materials by cold (without pretreatment) or hot (pressing after roasting) pressing, which retains its taste, aroma and all nutrients. To prevent the oil from going rancid, not darkening, becoming cloudy, and not spoiling the taste and aroma, it should be stored in a cool place (refrigerator) and used exclusively for sauces and salad dressings. The high temperature contributes to the formation of toxic substances. Therefore, the oil is not heated.
Refined oils are not harmful. They only contain less fatty acids and vitamins. But on them you can fry without harm to health, and their neutral smell will not interrupt the taste of the finished dish. Thus, unrefined vegetable oil is healthier, and refined oil is suitable for heat treatment.
Cold and hot pressing of vegetable oil - what's the difference
Unrefined cold and hot pressed oil is sold on supermarket shelves. Cold pressed - obtained from whole seeds using a press. Under the influence of high pressure, the product heats up, while the temperature does not rise above 40–42 ° C, which retains its original benefits. The resulting oil is settled, filtered and packaged. From this it is clear that unrefined cold-pressed vegetable oil is not exposed to high temperatures, therefore it does not contain harmful "chemicals".
With hot pressing, the seeds are processed in a brazier (fried) at 100–110 ° С, then water is added to them and the pressing process is carried out. The product turns out to be darker, with a pronounced taste and smell. Since the processing takes place simultaneously with moisture and heat, the seeds are of poor quality; this does not affect the quality of the oil. Although heat treatment and filtration destroys some of the beneficial properties that it contains.
Obviously, cold-pressed oil is more useful, and unrefined hot-pressed oil outperforms only refined oil.
Which vegetable oil is healthier?
Today there are many vegetable oils: sunflower, olive, linseed, sesame, peanut and it is difficult to choose one. Depending on the desired result, you need to give preference to one or another type. Since all oils are different in their properties:
- For example, masculine strength is a pumpkin. Pumpkin seed oil treats prostatitis well (read about the beneficial properties of Urethramol for male diseases) and prostate adenoma. Sesame oil is good for women's health. It slows down the aging of cells, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.
- The main product for beautiful, strong and healthy hair is flaxseed oil, for smooth and delicate skin of the body and face - peanut oil. And grape seed oil will get rid of cellulite. It is added to the composition of anti-cellulite mixtures, which are rubbed into problem areas.
- Mustard oil - prevention of colds. Mustard treats respiratory, flu and fungal diseases. Walnut - promotes the healing of abrasions, cuts, bruises.
- One of the leading oils for health is olive, it has a beneficial effect on absolutely all organs and systems. Olive oil is recommended for diseases of the digestive system, gallbladder and hepatic bladder, for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system and for improving memory.
- Well, the most common is sunflower oil. These are polyunsaturated acids necessary for the immune system, the formation of new cells, and the synthesis of hormones. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, making them elastic and durable.
From the above, we can conclude that it is impossible to determine the most useful vegetable oil. Each is useful in its own way, since each person has its own benefit. Some people need elements of olive oil, others sesame oil, etc. The main thing to remember is that vegetable oil will be useful if it is prepared in accordance with the necessary standards, stored in the right conditions and does not lose value during processing.
How to choose a healthy vegetable oil: features
- Good vegetable oil is packed in glass containers. This excludes its interaction with the material of the bottle. Although sunflower oil is not sold in glass containers, it is better to prefer olive oil in glass containers.
- A short shelf life of the product is a good sign.
- Average shelf life of unrefined oil is two months.
- You shouldn't use oil that tastes bitter. Oxidized fats are harmful to health.
- The sediment on the bottom of the bottle is not harmful, it consists of minerals and phospholipids.
More information on how to choose vegetable oil, you will learn from the plot of the program "Everything will be fine":
