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Good health is directly linked to good food and good nutrients. As such, it is imperative that your diet has all the basics, and then some more, if you are to bolster your immunity and stay away from non-communicable lifestyle-induced diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and cholesterol. Cooking oils are crucial when it comes to health and nourishment. While many Indians cook their food in refined oil, it is advisable to skip it for healthier alternatives. Refined oil can aggravate your existing health conditions like diabetes and cholesterol. Instead, you can switch it with three other oils that are gaining a lot of attention lately, owing to their health benefits. Read on.
Taking to Instagram, nutritionist Lovneet Batra listed three healthy alternatives to traditional oils, which are: cow milk ghee, mustard oil, and extra virgin olive oil.
According to Batra, cow milk ghee has a high concentration of butyric acid, which can 'promote gut health' by supporting the growth of 'beneficial bacteria' in the digestive system. It can help to lower inflammation and has a 'high smoke point' that means it can be 'heated to higher temperatures without breaking down'. This is what makes it suitable for cooking styles like 'frying' and 'saut ing', the nutritionist mentioned.
Mustard oil, she explained, contains a high level of 'monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats' that can lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise good HDL cholesterol levels, thereby promoting heart health. In addition to that, it contains compounds like 'allyl isothiocyanate' and 'erucic acid', which possess 'antibacterial' and 'antifungal' properties. All of this can be useful in fending off various infections, when used topically or consumed orally.
Finally, your kitchen must have extra virgin olive oil, which is a rich source of antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E that 'help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals'. According to the nutritionist, it can contribute to a person's overall health and well-being, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Do you prepare your food in these aforementioned oils?