It is quite unfortunate that edible oils in India have received a bad name over the past couple of years. Of course, you have been told that healthy fats and oils are necessary for the body. Yet there is immense confusion about what is healthy and unhealthy. This makes it very restricting to consume fats and oils. Besides that, every year a new variety of oils enters the food industry and tries to convince users that it’s healthy.
These patterns and confusions give rise to new myths related to the consumption of healthy cooking oils in India. In turn, it leads to the rise of us avoiding oils that are healthy and necessary for our bodies. Therefore, to avoid such misunderstandings, we’ve put together a list of myths and facts about oils.
Use this as a guide while consuming edible oils produced in India.
Myth: Our Diet Does Not Necessarily Eequire Fatty Acids
Fact: Our Bodies Need Fatty Acids for Proper and Adequate Functioning
Fatty acids are an essential component that the human body depends on for adequate functioning. The truth is that fatty acids are our biggest source of energy and it is particularly important for kids.
Here’s why your body needs fatty acids –
- Assists the body to absorb vitamins in a better way
- Helps carry out hormone functioning
- Paves the way for bright and glowing skin
- Fatty acids help healthy brain functioning
Now that you’re aware of the importance of edible oils in India, be sure not to cut it off completely on your next diet. Your body and brain need moderate amounts of oils and fats as it is essential. Keep this in mind and follow a diet accordingly.
Myth: All Forms of Fatty Acid is Bad
Fact: Not All Forms of Fatty Acid is Bad for Health
Fatty acids are categorised as bad and good. Under the category of bad fatty acids exist trans and saturated fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are extremely harmful to your health. This is because it is made by the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. This process raises bad cholesterol which has the potential to clog arteries. It also lowers good cholesterol and is found in processed food.
Good fatty acids are necessary for your health and it is found in the form of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Some of the healthy cooking oils in India that contain good fatty acids are –
- Refined Soybean Oil
This oil contains omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. It is also rich in alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid which are forms of fatty acid. These components assist in the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Besides that, Soybean oil also imparts immunity nourishing vitamins A, D & E into your diet. - Refined Sunflower Oil
It is a ‘light’ low cholesterol cooking oil that is rich in omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. It also contains linoleic acid to help maintain cholesterol levels. Along with these existing healthy elements, it is also rich in Tocopherols, a form of natural antioxidant. Sunflower oil is ideal for cooking fried crispies and bhajis but can also be used for salads and other dishes. - Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is a healthy cooking oil that is extremely popular in India. It brings with it the goodness of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and Tocopherols. It also helps maintain cholesterol levels due to the presence of alpha-linolenic acid. Kachi Ghani mustard oil also contains aromatic flavours that make dishes authentic. - Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil
It is packed with antioxidants such as Oryzanol, Tocopherols and Tocotrienols and its properties. It also contains omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which helps maintain cholesterol. Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil also has a high smoke point making it ideal for deep frying. This aspect helps keep the nutrients of the oil and food intact despite being deep-fried.
Myth: You Should Consume Only One Kind of Oil
Fact: Your Oil Consumption Should be Rotated
Every oil has its own unique properties and benefits which are absent from other oils. Therefore, by rotating and switching between oils, you balance out the benefits you receive. This ensures that you obtain the goodness of each oil, without depriving your body of essential nutrients it needs. For instance, you can use Doctors Choice Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil for cooking curries. On the other hand, Doctors Choice Refined Sunflower oil would go perfectly with salads.
Myth: You Can Reuse edible oils in India
Fact: Reusing Cooking Oil is Not Recommended for Health Purposes
You might have probably assumed that reusing cooking oil is fine and that it prevents wastage. Deep frying fritters in oil and saving the leftover oil for later is practised very often and widely. But the truth is that oil once used increases the fat content of the food if it is used again. Besides that, oil when heated to very high temperatures for a long period of time breaks down to form toxins. Reused oil also develops a bad odour and also changes in thickness and colour. Therefore, it is best to throw used cooking oil once it has served its purpose.
Myth: Oil Has an Unlimited Shelf Life
Fact: All Healthy Cooking Oils in India are Perishable
Why is it that we keep of track expiry dates with eatables but don’t do the same with the cooking oils we use? The same way other eatables degrade with time, so does cooking oils. The oils we use turn rancid in terms of flavour and smell and this is very evident. In some cases, the colour and texture of the oils change too once it is past the expiry date. The best way to increase the shelf life of oils is to store them in a cool, dark and dry place. Other than that, it is also advisable to use them before the mentioned expiry date.
Using these informative facts will help you make the most out of the edible cooking oil that you use. We hope that from now onwards, you discard the myths regarding oils. Instead, replace them with healthy cooking habits and Doctors Choice range of unadulterated oils!
