Is Refined Oil Ruining Your Health? Here’s What You Need To Know
Can you imagine your kitchen without a variety of edible oils? Every kitchen stores different types of oils for various culinary purposes – some are used for deep frying food, while others are consumed raw. There are also regional preferences; for instance, Bengalis love mustard oil, whereas people in South India cook their food in coconut oil. But one variety that holds a fixed spot in every pantry across India is a bottle of refined oil. From deep frying your favourite pakoda to marinating meat for a delicious chicken or mutton curry – you can do it all with a bottle of refined oil. However, did you know that it has been a subject of debate since time immemorial? You will find multiple reports on the internet discussing its benefits and side effects, which often leave us utterly confused. Hence, we thought of putting an end to all our confusion once and for all. In this article, we explore the facts about refined oil to find out whether it is safe for consumption (or not!).
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About Refined Oil: A One-Stop Solution For Your Daily Cooking Needs
In simple language, refined oil is defined as one that is artificially processed to achieve a light and non-sticky texture. You will find different categories of refined oil – sunflower oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil, and more, each coming with its unique specifications. But what remains common for all is the fact that they all undergo a purification process where the compounds are altered using some chemicals, and that’s where things go wrong.
Is Refined Oil Safe For Consumption?
According to nutritionist Richa Gangani, refined oil is considered slow poisoning. She broadly categorizes her reasoning into three parts – the refining process, the use of chemicals, and low nutritional value.
Reason 1: Refining process
The refining process includes procedures like bleaching, de-waxing, deodorising, de-gumming, and de-acidification, which further reduce the chlorophyll content, taste, and nutrients in the oil. This results in an increased risk of oxidation and inflammation in the body.
Reason 2: Use of chemicals
According to nutritionist Richa, more than 10 types of chemicals are used during the purification process to extract more oil from the seeds and nuts. Some of these chemicals are harmful in nature, adding various hazardous compounds to our meals.
Reason 3: Increased health risks
Due to heavy processing, the nutritional values are stripped off from the nuts and seeds while extracting oil. This reduces its natural goodness and often leads to heart problems and digestion issues, among others.
Also Read: Ghee Vs Mustard Oil – Which Is Better? Nutritionist Reveals Best Cooking Practices
The Bonus Tip:
While recommending people avoid refined oil, the dietician also gave us a glimpse of the oils that are healthy, according to her. She states that sesame oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and mustard oil are the most suitable options for cooking healthy and hearty meals every day. But always remember, excess of everything is bad for health.