With time, the consumption of wood-pressed oils has gradually increased due to their natural processing and health benefits associated with them. These wood-pressed oils are not refined, unlike other oils which are treated with different kinds of chemicals; rather, these are traditionally extracted, which tends to preserve the nutrients and natural flavour of the oil. For cooking purposes, kachi ghani mustard oil and cold pressed groundnut oil will be a good option because these both oils are considered the healthier one.
In this blog, we’ll tell you the nutrition Facts also discuss its benefits and uses.
What is Wood-Pressed Oil?
Wood-pressed oil is one that undergoes extraction using a slow, traditional method mainly dealing with a wood mortar and pestle. This process is known as cold pressing, which avoids heat applications and keeps its nutrients and flavour. Compared to refined oils, these wood-pressed oils retain all the essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, which get destroyed during the process of refining.
Nutrition Facts of Wood-Pressed Oils
Best thing is that wood-pressed oils are highly rich in healthy fats, mainly unsaturated fat, which keeps the heart fit and fine. In fact, wood-pressed oils are very good sources of varied vitamins like vitamin E and acidity including both omega-3 and omega -6.
Healthy Fats: Majorly, the constitution of wood-pressed oils contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. As a matter of fact, these are ‘good’ fats in that they lower the level of bad cholesterol within the body and are hence beneficial to the heart.
Antioxidants: Cold-pressed oils like kachi ghani mustard oil and cold-pressed groundnut oil contain antioxidants too, which help neutralise free radicals in the body. This is a major component of these oils and aids in preventing oxidative stress and inflammation in human bodies.
Vitamins: Vitamins, especially Vitamin E, are also present in these cold-pressed natural wood oils, which are useful in skin and immunity system-related aspects.
Omega Fatty Acids: It has omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in it; it is thus good for the brain and heart.
Health Benefits of Wood-Pressed Oils
This extraction method, mainly used in the case of wood-pressed oils, retains the nutrients within the oil. Hence, this category of oil is much healthier for cooking and everyday purposes. Now let’s look at some of the major health benefits associated with them in brief:
- Heart Health
In wood-pressed oils, like cold-pressed groundnut oil and kachi ghani mustard oil, the presence of unsaturated fats in small amounts helps in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol or low-density lipids and raising the level of good cholesterol or high-density lipids. This can reduce incidences of heart diseases and generally improve cardiovascular health.
- Improved Digestion
Retaining the nutrients necessary for digestion, wood-pressed oil is generally light on the stomach and does not commonly lead to digestive problems when compared with refined oils.
- Rich in Antioxidants
These wood-pressed oils are rich in antioxidants, which delay the causes of oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidants protect the cells and reduce chronic diseases, cancers, and heart diseases. Vitamin E herein promotes skin health and boosts immune function.
- Help in Weight Loss
Believe it or not, addition of the right kind of fats actually helps in shredding those extra pounds. Wood-pressed oil is a source of healthy fats that are good for one’s body metabolism. These keep you fuller for a longer period of time and hence, reduce the chances of overeating.
- Better for Diabetics
Since wood-pressed oils are rich in healthy fats and low on harmful trans-fats, they form part of the beneficial class of oils for people suffering from diabetes. These help in managing blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Uses of Wood-Pressed Oils
Ranging from cooking to medicinal purposes, wood-pressed oils serve multiple uses both in daily diet and lifestyle. Certain common usages of these oils are as follows:
- Cooking
Cold-pressed oils are very good for use day in and day out. Cold-pressed groundnut oil or kachi ghani mustard oil has a high smoking point, so this can be used for frying, sauteing, or deep-frying. Their natural flavour increases the taste of the dishes.
- Salad Dressing
The variety of wood-pressed oils is so varied that it is just perfect for salads, if not anything else, for those who like their oil raw. Drizzling a small amount of wood-pressed oil across your salad enhances the flavour of your salad, and the meal also gets enriched with much-needed nutrients.
- Skin Care
Wood-pressed oils are rich in vitamin E; hence, they are perfect for skincare. These oils can be directly applied to the skin to make the skin texture and tone better and eliminate dryness, making the skin glow with health.
- Hair Care
Traditionally, wood-pressed oils, of which kachi ghani mustard oil is a variety, have been applied to the scalp for hair care. This application nourishes hair, reduces dandruff, and generally improves the quality of hair.
Conclusion
The two best varieties are Kachi ghani mustard oil and cold-pressed groundnut oil, in the wood-pressed oil variants that serve as healthier alternatives to refined oils. Rich in nutrients, the traditional extraction method makes it all the more superior for cooking and personal care purposes. Be it heart health and digestion or skin and hair, wood-pressed oils have a number of benefits that make them such an important part of our life.
The inclusion of wood-pressed oils into one’s daily life creates a way of living that is healthier and full of balance. Next time you select a cooking oil, switch over to wood-pressed oils owing to their nutrition-packed advantages and natural flavour.
