Pure Groundnut oil refers to peanut oil; it is made from the seeds of the peanut plant. It is called groundnut because it is developed underground. Peanut oil has a wide range of flavours that varies from mild, sweet, strong and nutty.
There are many different types of peanut oil which are made from different techniques:-
- Refined peanut oil-This is a refined type of peanut oil that is refined to remove the allergic parts of the oil. It is especially safe for those with peanut allergies.
- Cold-pressed peanut oil In this method, the peanut is crushed to extract the maximum oil from it full of flavours. This is a very slow healing process. It is more nutritious than refined oil.
- Peanut oil blends-peanut oil is blended with soybean oil which is similar in taste. This makes the oil a bit less expensive. This type of oil is more affordable for consumers and is sold in bulk in the market.
- Gourmet peanut oil-this type is an unrefined and roasted oil. It is an intense flavour and is deeper than refined oil. It gives a strong, nutty flavour to the dishes like stir-fries, etc.
Peanut oil is mainly used for frying food items.
NUTRIENT COMPOSITION
One tablespoon of Pure Groundnut oil contains:-
- Calories-119
- Fat-14 gms
- Saturated fat-2.3gms
- Monounsaturated fat-6.2grms
- Polyunsaturated fat-4.3grms
- Vitamin E-11%of the RDI
- Phytosterols-27.9mg
Peanut oil contains a high amount of omega-6 fats, which may not be a good thing. These fats cause inflammation and have been linked to health problems. On the other hand, peanut oil is a good source of Vitamin E. This antioxidant has many health benefits, like it protects the body from radical damages and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
BENEFITS OF PEANUT OIL
- Good source of vitamin E-Pure Groundnut oil is a good source of Vitamin E. It has many health benefits as it reduces the risk of heart diseases and lowers blood sugar levels. Vitamin E is from a group of fat-soluble compounds that have many functions in the body to perform. Mainly vitamin E is an antioxidant; it protects the body from harmful substances called free radicals.
Free radicals cause damage to our cells as if the number of them increases higher in our body. They will link to serious chronic diseases like cancer and heart diseases.
Vitamin E helps to keep our immune system strong, which protects our body from bacteria and viruses. It is essential for cell signalling, red blood cell formation and prevents blood clots.
- Reduces heart disease risk-peanut oil is high in polyunsaturated (PUFA) fat and monounsaturated (MUFA) fat; both have been researched extensively in reducing heart diseases.
Many studies have shown that replacing saturated fats with MUFAs or PUFAs may reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.
It is unclear if adding these fats to your diet without changing your other dietary components will positively or negatively affect heart health.
Other than peanut oil, other nutritious options are higher in polyunsaturated fats like walnuts, flaxseeds, and sunflower seeds.
- Improves Insulin Sensitivity:- Consuming any fat with carbohydrates helps slow down the absorption of sugar in the digestive tracts. It also leads to a slower rise in blood sugar in the body. However, MUFAS and PUFAs fats play a bigger role in blood sugar controls, and peanut oil is a good source of these fats.
Insulin helps the cells to absorb glucose and keeps our blood sugar low. Peanut oil helps to control insulin sensitivity and blood sugar in people who have diabetes.
- High in omega-6 fats- Omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is a double bond of six carbons from the omega end of the fatty acid molecules. It is essential for our body as it provides energy. Omega-6 play a vital role in the development of the brain.
Peanut oil is a good source of omega-6 acids, but it is said that in our body there should be a balance in both the acids omega-6 and omega-3. If one consumes peanut oil, it will increase the quantity of omega-6 acid in the body, which will harm us. So, one should also intake omega-3 with it. The products rich in omega-3 are lettuce, salmon, hazelnut, etc.
- Maybe prone to oxidation-oxidation means a reaction between a substance and oxygen that causes harmful components and free radicals. This is very common in unsaturated fats, while saturated fats are resistant to oxidation.
Peanut oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and has also been used as a high heat oil. So, it is more prone to oxidation. Western diets are already high in these fats, and using peanut oil always as cooking oil may increase the risk of certain diseases.
- Helps in hair growth- Applying Pure Groundnut oil on hair helps build a barrier due to its emollient components. The barrier prevents the loss of protein from hair as you wash your hair. Barrier protection also protects your hair even as you heat style them. It has been said that groundnut oil has a high smoking point, which makes it more suitable for heat treatments for hair.
Vitamin –E present in groundnut oil helps in improving scalp health and overcoming dryness. It has anti-dandruff capabilities. It may treat serious scalp infections such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. It also processes anti-inflammatory properties.
- Skincare- Groundnut oil is a rich source of vitamin E, which is always said as the best therapy for skin. It keeps our skin looking young and healthy. It also prevents wrinkles, ageing and marks, which are caused by free radicals. It maintains good skin health.
Groundnut oil is a very popular oil worldwide but commonly used by Chinese, South Asians and Southeast Asians cooking. It is a rich source of antioxidant vitamin E, which helps in reducing heart diseases. It may also balance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar in people with diabetes. At the same time, it has some disadvantages as it has pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, so it is more prone to oxidation. But this can be balanced by intake of omega-3.
With so many health benefits and fewer potential health risks, it might be a good choice over other harmful oils available in the market for cooking.
Author Bio:
Alisha is a marketing manager at Shopgulab . She specializes in
Social Media Marketing and Branding of the company.
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