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The past few years have brought major changes in food consumption patterns across the world. It has become evident that the pandemic has changed the way we live forever, from our work arrangements to our leisure manners to our social lives. While physical fitness has become a topmost priority, consumers are also taking conscious decisions of choosing healthy and sustainable products for daily use. One such healthy decision is to use olive oil for cooking.
Active and regular fitness regimes lead to good health, maintain a healthy weight and enhance mental wellness. In addition to that, eating better and healthy food further lowers the chances of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, kidney disease or cardiovascular diseases. While we give utmost importance to the diet being followed everyday, we tend to overlook or ignore one of the most essential parts of the food which includes the oil we choose for cooking. Choosing the right oil is the foremost step for cooking good food and achieving good health.
Health Shots spoke to diet Mukesh Ghuraiya, who listed various benefits of including olive oil in cooking.
“During the pandemic, people took a lot of interest in the kitchen and many utilized their time to understand the science of cooking and became aware of how the usage of cooking oil affects our digestive system. Although we gained some knowledge about the significance of cooking medium, we still need to get accurate information about the right choice of oil especially for everyday cooking. While virgin olive oil is supposed to be eaten raw and not heated, pomace olive oil can be used as a cooking medium. Pomace oil has a high oxidative resistance and does not combine with oxygen when heated,” says Ghuraiya.
Here are 5 benefits of using olive oil for cooking:
1. Neutral flavour
Olive pomace oil is one such oil which is processed with an extremely high quality refining technique, has a neutral flavor and is the perfect choice for all types of cooking. Olive pomace oil is extracted using organic solvents and subsequently refined using state-of-the-art equipment. It can be added to various salads and pasta dishes and can also be used to make Indian delicacies and cuisines.
2. High smoke point
It has a high smoke point which makes it ideal for deep frying. It is rich in nutrients like Vitamin E and K, providing a healthy diet to suit a healthy lifestyle. Enriched with MUFA and essential vitamins, it strengthens the body with good fat and lowers the effects of bad cholesterol. Olive pomace oil has the goodness of Vitamin E which shields the body from infections and helps in healing tissues. One of its important ingredients- Vitamin K, sustains normal levels of blood clotting proteins in the body and improves bone density and strength. It also helps digest and absorb meals easily.
3. Strengthen immune system
According to Ghuraiya, “With more variety on the platter, olive pomace oil is looked at as the panacea to all health problems, without compromising on taste. With the current testing times, it is imperative that we take care of our health and try to strengthen our immune systems by using olive oil for cooking.”
We must provide our body with the right nutrients for a healthy body and mind. So, let’s shift to a healthier cooking medium to accomplish a better living for tomorrow!
