Groundnut oil, also referred to as peanut oil, is one of the most famous cooking oils. It is used everywhere in the world, not only for frying but also for salad dressings apart from sautéing. But does it help with heart health? This is what many people want to know- can groundnut oil lower cholesterol levels? In this blog, let’s get to know more about its impacts on heart health.
What is Groundnut Oil?
It is peanut oil. Peanuts are a type of legume. Peanut oil contains good fats and it contains unsaturated fats. The grade may vary from different kinds like refined oil, cold-pressed, wood-pressed oil. However, cold-pressed groundnut oil does not involve any heat to preserve the nutrients. Wood-pressed oil also is the ancient method used to extract it. Even that will retain more nutrients than refined oils.
The Role of Cholesterol in Heart Health
Cholesterol is very vital for the body, but high cholesterol causes heart disease. Cholesterol exists in two forms-LDL, termed as bad cholesterol, and HDL, termed as good cholesterol. However, high levels of bad cholesterol cause blocked arteries, therefore causing more attacks of heart problems and stroke. It is important to maintain your healthy cholesterol levels in maintaining a healthy heart.
How does Groundnut oil affect your cholesterol?
Groundnut oil consists of unsaturated fats and thus is good for cardiovascular health. These fats lessen the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). However, they may raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL). From these factors, groundnut oil may be a healthy choice for the heart.
An important benefit of cold-pressed groundnut oil is its ability to retain more nutritional content than refined oils. Since it is extracted in the absence of heat-a process that can damage several essential fatty acids-it contains more heart-helping benefits.
Groundnut Oil and Heart Disease
Amongst the major causes of death is heart disease. Diet has always been one of the best preventive ways of heart disease. The use of healthier oils, such as groundnut oil, reduces the risk. Cold-pressed groundnut oil is also known to contain antioxidants. Therefore, these help protect the heart in several ways by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress that help keep the blood vessels and circulation healthy.
Benefits of Groundnut Oil for Heart Health
Groundnut oil has multiple benefits that are helpful with heart health:
- High Monounsaturated Fats: Groundnut oil is quite rich in monounsaturated fats. These have been determined to reduce bad cholesterol in the body. They have also been known to raise good cholesterol levels.
- Good Source of Antioxidants: Cold-pressed groundnut oil contains antioxidants. It helps fight free radicals that can injure the heart and other blood vessels.
- Improves Heart Function: Groundnut oil improves the cholesterol levels of the body, therefore enhancing overall heart function. It inhibits the buildup of plaque in the artery, hence inhibiting heart disease.
- Reverse Inflammation: The healthy fats present in groundnut oil also reverse inflammation within the body. Furthermore, chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Thus, consuming groundnut oil will also help protect against that.
How to Use Groundnut Oil for Heart Health?
In moderation, use groundnut oil to enjoy its heart-healthy benefits. Replace unhealthy oils such as vegetable oil with groundnut oil. Additionally, groundnut oil can be used for frying, sautéing, or just drizzled over a salad. Look for cold-pressed or wood-pressed oil. These have minimal processing and more nutrient retention.
Moreover, the essential thing to note is they should not be overused. Healthy oils aren’t about overindulgence. It’s rather about balancing it out between the rest of the health-rich fats and heart-friendly dietary nutrients, just like in an avocado and olive oil.
Considerations When Choosing Groundnut Oil
Not all groundnut oils are the same. Refined groundnut oil is processed, which removes some of its nutrients. Cold-pressed oils retain more of their natural compounds. Another traditional method that may have health benefits is wood-pressed oil. Always check labels when buying groundnut oil. Choose cold-pressed or wood-pressed options for maximum health benefits.
Conclusion
Finally, groundnut oil can be good for your heart. It makes the bad cholesterol levels minimal and increases the good cholesterol. For that reason, cold press and wood press oils are also considered better because they don’t lose much of nutrients. Using groundnut in cooking regularly can help an individual have a healthy heart and lower the risk of contracting heart disease. However, proper usage of oil in all foods and as part of meals is essential. It will also help you make the right decisions about the oils you are choosing for consumption and, in turn, protect your heart and well-being.
