Heating Healthy Oils can Create Unhealthy if you aren’t Careful
Tips to Effectively Use Sesame Seed Oil
How you use Organic Oils is Critical
Heating a healthy organic oil, like flaxseed oil or walnut oil, changes the chemical structure and this is detrimental when you are trying to cook healthy.
Experts at Mayo Clinic, report the healthiest oils are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like unrefined olive oil and vegetable oil; however take note there is still plenty of controversy between professionals on which oils are healthiest.
These healthy fats help reduce the risk of heart disease, when your alternative, saturated and Tran’s fats, increase your risk.
What’s important to recognize is that heating any food could make it “less” healthy. For instance, if you boil the crap out of your broccoli, many of the nutrients are lost. Same goes with cooking fruit, meat, and just about all veggies. I’m sure you’ve had to eat your grandmother’s totally soggy light green broccoli before – Yuk!
VIP – When you are heating oils, some can handle the heat just fine and others just can’t take it!
The smoke point of any given oil gives you the information you need in order to decide how you should eat it. The smoke point is the temperature in which the oil begins to break down and turn rancid; losing many of its vitamins and essential minerals. Not to mention the unpleasant taste that signals your oil is no longer any good.
When the smoke point of an oil is reached it actually emits smoke that is often more toxic than the ruined oil. The reuse of oil is often discouraged in restaurants because of this. Cooking with an oil that has a high smoke point allows you to cook at higher temperatures fairly safely, so the food cooks quickly and soaks up less fat.
Organic sesame seed oil is one of the best.
Oils that handle high heat
Sesame, coconut, sunflower, canola, grapeseed, hemp, safflower, and peanut oil have higher smoke points and handle the heat best.
Oils that can’t take the heat
Flaxseed, wheat germ, olive, and walnut oil should be used in salads, dressings and dips, and not for high heat cooking.
Beware there is a huge difference between refined oil you find in your local grocery store and unrefined organic oil.
Spotlight – Organic Sesame Seed Oil
It’s reported that unrefined sesame seed oil is heart healthy by preventing atherosclerotic lesions because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound sesamol. Sesame is great for your skin internally and externally and contains key compounds that aid in fighting cancer; including phytosterols, phytic acid, and magnesium, according to WebMD.
Other Organic Sesame Seed Oil Benefits
- Strengthens hair
- Triggers bone growth
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps manage depression and anxiety
- Improves infant health
- Supports healthy oral hygiene
- Decreases inflammation and improves your digestive process
Did you know that sesame seed oil is also used regularly in massage parlors because of the powerful benefits it has on the skin?
The high zinc and copper content helps boost metabolism and aid in fat loss. Organic sesame seed oil also has phytate (reduces cancer), magnesium (lowers risk of colorectal cancer), calcium (strengthens bones and teeth), tyrosine (amino acid that gives you that “feel good” feeling), and sesamol and sesamin (lowers cholesterol and reduces plaque buildup in the arteries).
Organic sesame seed oil is excellent for marinating meats, sautéing veggies, flavoring soups and casseroles, and drizzling on salads and other dishes to add flavor and zest. The nutty flavor is strong and makes healthy food that much tastier.
Remember, just 1-2 tablespoons is considered a serving, so you don’t need much.
Word of Warning…
If you happen to be taking blood-thinning medications in particular, you should speak with your doctor before adding unrefined sesame seed oil to your eating plan. It happens to also decrease blood pressure and thin your blood, so combining your medication and sesame seed oil might not be a wise move under certain circumstances.
For the rest of us, you’ve got the green flag to enjoy organic sesame seed oil in moderation, anyway you like it!
