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Seed oils for cooking
Rich in healthy substances, seed oils have a number of properties and are used in cooking in a variety of ways. The all-important thing is to buy organic oil only. Here’s why.
Technically, seed oils are obtained by mechanical pressing and solvent extraction of oily seeds and are then involved in the industrial refining process in order to become edible. The manufacture of seed oils influences the quality of the product. The oils obtained through solvent extraction don’t contain the right amount (50-70 percent) of essential fatty acids, while mechanically extracted or cold extracted oils do. The seed oil processing also lowers the content of vitamin A, D, E and group B, lecithin, mineral salts and trace minerals. It is better to consume organic seed oils obtained through a pressing system impervious to light that guarantees high standards of quality. Organic oils are unrefined, for this reason they are also tastier than those obtained through solvent extraction.
How to use them
It is better not to cook them. If you cook them, , they lose their flavour and, due to high temperatures, they develop unhealthy substances such as benzopyrene, acrolein and acrylamide.
Corn oil
It is widely used in cooking, but few people know that its beneficial properties depend on its quality. Actually, only if it is not produced through the use of solvents and if it is unrefined, it will preserve the essential fatty acids and all those substances, including lecithin, that make it effective to lower cholesterol levels. Unlike other seed oils, it endures high temperatures and it is stable until 170° C. It is suitable for people who suffer from celiac disease.
Wheat germ oil
It is recommended to people suffering from stress, athletes and in all cases of psycho-physical fatigue. It is one of the most concentrated natural sources of vitamin E, that’s why it prevents fatty acid oxidation and it removes toxic chemicals, thus slowing down the ageing process. It also prevents arteriosclerosis, it lowers cholesterol levels and it strengthens the heart and muscles. When cooked, it loses its content of vitamin B12, which is rarely found in vegetables and precious for vegetarians. It is not suitable for people who suffer from celiac disease.
Sunflower seed oil
Tasty and versatile in cooking, it contains fatty acids as well as many vitamins, including vitamin E, which makes it a beauty elixir for skin and hair. In cooking, it can replace or can be used along with olive oil in many food preparations such as sauces, salads, fish or cereal recipes. It should be stored in the fridge in a dark bottle.
Hempseed oil
It is extracted from Cannabis Sativa seeds, it is green and it tastes of hazelnut. Hempseed oil is rich in carbohydrates, crude fibre and mineral salts including iron, calcium, manganese and phosphorus. It also contains lots of vitamins: A, E, PP, C, and group B. It has a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mostly Omega-3 and Omega-6, in a 3:1 ratio. In cooking it is used to season salads, sauces, cereals and soups. It is used in medicine to treat psoriasis, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, menopause, diabetes, depression, memory and learning deficit, respiratory problems, and degenerative diseases of the immune system.
Linseed oil
The ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids it contains is balanced: if the Omega 6 had been more, the positive effects of the Omega 3 would have disappeared. Linseed oil protects from cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and some kinds of cancer. It is highly recommended to consume cold-extracted linseed only and to keep it in the fridge in an opaque bottle, because when exposed to warm room temperatures it loses its nutrients. It is sufficient to put a few drops of this oil on your dishes if you want to feel its benefits.
Sesame oil
Derived from sesame seeds, this oil is rich in vitamins and minerals, it boosts the immune system, it is restorative and relaxing. It has an intense flavour, resembling that of almonds, and it is suitable to season ethnic dishes, sauteed vegetables and biscuits. Its content of lecithin, a phospholipid that dissolves fat and that makes blood more fluid, avoids fat and cholesterol storage in the arteries. Industrial sesame oil has a sweetish taste which is absent in the organic product. Sesame is produced in countries with low-cost labour, because it is still gathered by farmers. India and China are the major producers in the world.
Safflower oil
Safflower is an annual plant which is mainly grown in India; it can be found even in Spain and Portugal. From its seeds, an oil rich in Omega 6 and vitamin K is derived. Vitamin K triggers the production of prothrombin, an essential component of the blood-clotting mechanism, and osteocalcin, a protein found in bones implicated in calcium ion homeostasis. Safflower oil – a scented yet not-so-tasty oil – is used raw to flavour salads and cooked vegetables.
Pumpkin seed oil
A natural antioxidant, it is considered a really effective remedy for prostate disorders. It is very high in linoleic acid, an essential fat that our body doesn’t produce, and it contains cucurbitin, a substance that can eliminate parasitic worms. The pumpkin seed oil is also used to treat inflammation and it is recommended to alleviate urinary tract infections. It’s a source of minerals and all fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin E. It is advisable to use 2-3 spoonful of pumpkin seed oil every day.
Grapeseed oil
It is derived from the small seeds of grapes, which are very high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is used both in cosmetics and cooking because it lowers cholesterol levels. It is rich in polyphenol antioxidants and it protects the cardiovascular system. It is excellent when used to marinate fish and to season fresh cheese and it is one of the main ingredients of margarine. It should be kept in the fridge, away from light and heat.
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