Why Is Groundnut Oil Preferable For Cooking?

Who doesn't love to chew salted groundnuts as a healthy evening snack? Groundnuts have been a beloved snack for ages in roasted, salted and boiled forms. In addition to this, groundnut oil has been widely used worldwide for the purpose of cooking. 

You might ask, why is groundnut oil preferable for cooking when there are other forms of edible oils available?

Groundnut oil contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are ideal for keeping your heart healthy. Being highly enriched in vitamin E, it is 100% cholesterol free and helps reduce cholesterol levels. Moreover, it controls premature aging and helps maintain healthy and glowing skin, thanks to its antioxidant properties!

Antioxidants keep the body toxin-free and protect against free radicals. Phytochemicals and vitamin E antioxidants in groundnut oil enhance your body's immunity. They also protect your body from cancer. 

Groundnut oil contains resveratrol that regulates your blood pressure and reduces the risks of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Furthermore, the presence of oleic acid helps regulate the blood sugar level in your body. Oleic acids enhance insulin production that prevents diabetic complications.

Further, research has stated that phytosterols and beta-sitosterol present in groundnut oil could prevent cancer-cell development and can potentially prevent breast, prostate, and colon cancer. The fatty acids in groundnut oil increase the good cholesterol, HDL. HDL reduces LDL, the bad cholesterol that can clog and block arteries. Thus, groundnut oil is a great choice for your healthy heart!

You must be wondering what could be the exceptional nutritional values of groundnut oil that make them so beneficial for health. Let's check them out!

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Groundnut Oil?

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Groundnut oil contains 40-50% of fat, most of which is unsaturated. The sugar, calcium, iron, and sodium levels are zero in groundnut oil.  It is a cholesterol-free oil and thus reduces heart diseases.

Groundnuts are highly nutritious and can satisfy your taste buds in many ways. You can consume it in roasted form or add it to different dishes to enhance their taste. Moreover, you can try out masala peanuts for a salty and spicy punch in your favourite evening snack.  A  blend of nutty and tangy, these mouth-watering peanuts are hard to resist. Besides taste, this legume can also add nutritional value to your food in various forms. You can use peanut butter and groundnut oil to enhance the nutritional value of your daily intakes.

The ‘Masala Mundhiri’ snack from Anandhaas Sweets is a wonderful healthy snack that everyone can enjoy, irrespective of age. Healthy, cooked with groundnut oil and coated with delicious spices, this snack is great for people who are on a diet, those who like to eat healthy, and those who have dietary regulations.

The mixtures that are available at Anandhaas are also made using groundnut oil, so they are relatively healthier options, and come with the delicious goodness that has become synonymous with the house of Anandhaas.

Let’s check out the nutritional value of groundnut oil!

The vitamin and mineral level of groundnut oil is also quite a mention worthy. With 15.69mg of vitamin E, this oil helps rejuvenate your age keeping your skin wrinkle-free. 

Groundnut oil consists of 16.9mg of saturated, 46.2mg of monounsaturated, and 32g of polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

Moreover, oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and omega-6 in groundnut oil improve a body's nervous system and metabolism. With a smoke point of 225°C, this oil is best suited for cooking in high temperatures. Therefore, you can prepare deep-fried snacks easily with this oil. 

Apart from that, the extraction process and chemical-free preparation of groundnut oil extend their shelf life for a longer time. A sealed pack of groundnut oil lasts for 12 months; however, once the pack is opened, it reduces to 6 months. 

You may say several other cooking oils add nutritional value to cooked foods. Then, why is groundnut oil preferable for cooking? Keep reading to know how it makes a difference!

What Sets Groundnut Oil Apart From Other Cooking Oils?

The higher smoke point of groundnut oil maintains the health value of the foods prepared. Moreover, being reusable, they are cost-efficient and can be stored for a longer time. The neutrality in its taste does not interfere with the original essence of the food ingredients cooked in it.

Regular cooking oils have a low smoke point. When you prepare a dish at a higher temperature, it exceeds its normal smoke point. At this point, the oil releases harmful substances that, when mixed with the food items, cause health issues. 

Therefore, foods prepared with these oils are unhealthy and lead to several deadly diseases on regular consumption. Groundnut oil has a high burning point; it doesn’t release harmful substances while deep-frying or cooking in high flames.

Apart from that, it is reusable as it does not burn easily. Therefore, it is used many times after filtration. As a result, your expenses on cooking oil are reduced, and you can save some extra bucks. Undoubtedly a healthy and affordable deal, isn't it?

Though it does not possess any stronger flavour, the mild nutty flavour adds an aroma to your dishes. You can cook fish, chicken, and egg curries in groundnut oil for a mouth-watering flavour. Besides, dishes such as snacks and fries also taste delicious when cooked in groundnut oil.

Groundnut oils are one of the rich natural sources of protein, fibre and vitamin E that improve our eating habits and ensure good health. After knowing its ample benefits, you might be curious about knowing its roots and its emergence as edible oil.

Continue reading to find the answers to all your questions!

What Is The Origin Of Groundnut Oil?

There are diverse opinions regarding the origin of groundnut oil. Though it has native links with South Africa and Brazil, Europeans were the first to extract oil from groundnuts. However, its entrance into India is still a mystery.

Some sources state that the Portuguese introduced this oil to India; others say it came through China. Some sources related the botanical traces of groundnut oil to Africa. In India, groundnuts are cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, South India, and Maharashtra.

Whatever or whoever the source may be, groundnut oil is a popular edible oil in India at present. Though groundnut oil is costly considering its delicate extraction process, its high nutritional value increases its demand. 

Agricultural and farming authorities are implementing advanced methods to improve the quality and taste of groundnut oil. Being rich in nutrients, they are used in the medical industry as well. Therefore, researching new ways to further unlock its beneficial value can help us to find more ways to use this oil for our well-being.

Groundnut oil's nutritional value and health benefits also depend on its extraction process. There are different ways in which oil is extracted from groundnuts— cold-pressed, refined, and unrefined are some of them.

We can conclude the best process of extraction by drawing differences between some of them. The segment below differentiates the two common methods of groundnut oil extraction. Let's continue to find them out!

Are Cold-pressed Groundnut Oils Better than Refined Ones?

Cold-pressed groundnut oil differs from refined groundnut oils in various ways. Colour, flavour, and aroma are the  basic differences. Being refined, they undergo chemical changes that induce certain impurities in them.

To draw the differences in a better way, we are explaining the two under the mentioned parameters:

1. Appearance: Cold-pressed groundnut oils are rich in colour, essence and aroma compared to refined ones. Being dark yellow brings a golden effect to their appearance; however, refined oils are light yellow in colour and comparatively thinner in texture.
2. Taste: Cold-pressed oils produce a nutty flavour and aroma. Moreover, they are sweet in taste, resembling the original nutty taste. However, refined groundnut oils are neutral in taste and do not bring about any nutty flavour or essence.

Note: If you do not prefer the flavours and aroma of legumes, then a refined version can be a considerable choice for you.

1. Extraction Procedure: The traditional extraction process using wooden blocks in case of cold-pressed oil helps to retain the necessary nutrients and health factors. On the other hand, refined ones undergo chemical procedures to remove impurities. However, due to this, refined oils create free radicals while cooking, which can cause diseases like cancer. It also affects heart health and boosts ageing signs.
2. Requirement: As cold-compressed groundnut oils facilitate higher smoke points, they do not burn easily. Therefore, you can use less oil for cooking your dishes. However, refined groundnut oils oxidise while cooking. Therefore, the consumption level for refined groundnut oil is high.

Considering the above parameters, cold-compressed groundnut oil steals the show for its added benefits. However, if you are more concerned about the taste of your food, then you must read the segment below!

How Does Groundnut Oil Affect The Taste Of Your Food?

Generally, groundnut oil is neutral in taste and does not mix with the originality of the cooked dish's flavour. However, cold-pressed oils are slightly nutty and sweet in taste, which may add a nutty flavour to your dishes.

If you love munching on groundnuts, the flavour might be pleasant. Moreover, we often add groundnut paste to enhance the taste of various dishes like chicken curry, paneer pasanda, etc. Do note, that the taste of groundnut oil does not make a considerable difference in your delicacies.

On the other hand, if you don't prefer the flavour of groundnut, then you can choose the refined version of this oil. Being neutral in taste and aroma, they do not add any flavour to your dishes. The authentic taste of the cuisine prepared remains the very same. Therefore, you can enjoy lip-smacking healthy food without changing its flavour.

Groundnuts are irresistibly tasty for most people who love a healthy substitute for snacks. There are more ways to explore the benefits of this legume seed: groundnut oil being one of them. Considering the tremendous health benefits of groundnut oil, it is clear why groundnut oil is preferable for cooking. If you are looking for healthy cooking oil, then groundnut oil is the answer! 

Moreover, you can try crushed groundnuts in your recipes to enhance their flavour. You can also try masala peanut and roasted peanuts to enjoy a flavourful nutty snack. Thus, switch your cooking oil to groundnut oil to make your daily recipes nutritious. Groundnut is in itself a massive source of vitamins, so you can start to get its benefits by including either groundnut oil or the nuts in its legume-form into your daily diet!