Cooking oil is the ingredient in your kitchen that your intake daily and do you know that bad quality cooking oil can harm your health? Cooking oils are an integral part of our life, and there are different types of oil available in the market. But not every oil is good for your health.
Today as lifestyle issues are erupting and more and more people are facing this problem, making minor changes in the daily lifestyle, and eating habits can have a significant impact on health. One of the major problems that people, even of the younger generation, are facing is the heart issue. However, one of the smallest changes you can make that has a great impact on your body is to opt for heart-friendly cooking oils. These cooking oils are rich in good fat, which is healthy for your heart. There are different options for the same available in the market. Some of the important ones are discussed I had in the blog.
Olive oil:
When it comes to picking a heart-friendly cooking oil, olive oil is a popular option. It is used by a lot of people now. It has a mild flavour and is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, and this oil also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. All this makes it a perfect choice for your everyday cooking. Besides, olive oil is also good in vitamins E and K and has phenolic compounds, which have several health benefits.Key benefits of olive oil:
As it is rich in antioxidants it improves the health of your heart.
It reduces inflammation too.
It is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acid that helps in improving blood sugar levels as well.
Olive oil may also reduce the risk of cancer.
Extra virgin olive oil has healthy antioxidants and hence should be a primary choice
Canola oil:
The next popular category in our list of heart-friendly cooking oil is canola oil. It is extracted from rapeseed. It has a mild flavour and hence is a popular choice for cooking.Key benefits of canola oil:
It has low saturated fatty acids and is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes it a perfect choice for healthy cooking.
It is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid and is also enriched with omega-3 fatty acids.
It has the lightest colour and has a higher smoking point making it ideal for baking and cooking.
This oil is a great option for processed food for its taste and easy cooking quality.
It also reduces the cholesterol level and thus reduces the risk of heart disease.
It helps in improving cognitive functions, and some studies have found that canola oil can reduce a certain type of cancer.
People having joint pain issues can also consume canola oil.
It enhances the health of the skin as well.
Peanut oil:
Yet another heart-friendly cooking oil that you can add to your kitchen is peanut oil or groundnut oil. Its naughty flavour makes it a popular choice for cooking. The neutral flavour of this oil doesn’t let it in fear or hamper the taste of the food. As it has a higher smoke point it makes it helpful for frying and baking. It has a longer shelf life and is also a cost-friendly option.A key benefit of peanut oil:
Peanut oil is a good source of vitamin E.
It boosts energy levels and improves heart health.
It also reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
It helps protect the body against cell damage.
How to store heart-friendly cooking oils?
These are some of the popular heart-friendly cooking oils that you can add to your kitchen shelf. However, it is important to store the oil well. Some of the key pointers that you need to consider when storing cooking oil are:
Do not stockpile the oil.
Prefer keeping oil in dark places.
Do not overheat oil while cooking as this may produce unwanted chemicals.
Do not reuse heated or once-used oil again.Wrapping it up!
It was a brief discussion on different heart-friendly cooking oils and the right way of using them. Health is wealth, we have heard this phrase many a time, but when it comes to using it in real life we often tend to take or approach a lackadaisical attitude. Make sure that you opt for a good range of cooking oils so that your heart remains healthy. Any of the above-mentioned options can be on your list.