16 Questions About Cooking Oil Which No Companies Answers You

I cannot do without my range of cooking oil. From regular olive oil to rice-bran oil, coconut oil, and mustard oil, my pantry is fully stocked at all times. Since oil is one of the essential things seen in the kitchen, we often forget to pay much attention to it. Over the years cooking has taught me not just about taste and flavors but also the importance of using the right oil at the right time. I have also learned by spending many hours in the kitchen, reading cookbooks and browsing the Internet several interesting facts about cooking oil.

So here I am listing 16 questions about your daily cooking oil in a Q&A manner

1. Can Cooking Oil Go Bad?

Oil packages come with a ‘best before’ date but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the oil will go bad after that date. In fact, you can continue using the same oil for quite some time after that as well. But yes, it can go bad after some time, especially if you have opened the packaging. An unopened pack can last two to three years, by rough estimation.

2. Can Cooking Oil Be Reused?

Reusing cooking oil is a common practice but it can pose certain health hazards. Reused oil can get spoiled, have strange flavors and may also contain carcinogenic free radicals. When I have to reuse it, I make sure to always drain the oil through cheesecloth to remove any food particles floating. I make sure never to over-heat the oil, especially if I have plans of reusing it and I never mix two types of cooked oil together. I do not use iron or copper pots and pans if I plan on reusing oil as these metals can accelerate rancidity.

3. Can Cooking Oil Catch Fire?

Yes, the oil can catch fire if it becomes too hot. Therefore I never leave the kitchen if I am heating oil for deep-frying. I always keep a kitchen thermometer handy so that I know at what temperature the heat can get dangerous. Learning about the smoking points of different types of cooking oil is advisable.

4. Are Cooking Oil Gluten Free?   

Cooking oils generally do not contain gluten – a grain protein mostly found in rye, wheat, and barley. If you are gluten intolerant, it means that it can cause mild to serious damage to your digestive tract. Though cooking oils are gluten-free, they may contain traces of it if the oil is manufactured at a facility that makes gluten-containing foods.

5. How Much Cooking Oil is Healthy?

I being very particular about my family’s oil intake had done a quick research and found this. According to RDA (Research Data Alliance), a person must have a 20-30 g intake of oil every day. Since almost every food item has a certain percentage of fat content, that must be taken into account when you plan your meals.

6. Which Cooking Oil is Best for Diabetes?

Diabetes is on a rise in India and if you or a family member is affected by this slow killer disease, making healthy diet choices is a necessity. Every type of cooking oil comes with its own set of health benefits but for diabetes, you must keep in mind the oil’s effect on a person’s glucose and fat metabolism. Some of the best cooking oils for diabetes include –

• Almond oil
• Canola oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Macadamia nut oil
• Olive oil
• Sesame oil
• Walnut oil

7. Which Cooking Oil Repairs Memory?

If brain health is one of your main concerns while choosing cooking oil, switch to regular olive oil. As a plant-based oil, it is known for its high polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids – both of which are linked with good cognitive health. However, you must keep in mind that olive oil is high in calories so using it in small quantities is advisable. Moreover, olive oil’s benefits are reduced when heated which means it is ideal for cooking chicken and making salads.

Using too much of oil while cooking can adversely affect the heart and brain. If you want to strike a balance between healthy food and tasty food, choosing the right oil is essential. I have used the following types of healthy cooking oil and have seen their health benefits firsthand.

• Canola oil
• Light olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Refined coconut oil
• Rice-bran oil

9. Which Cooking Oil Can Best Be Used at High Heat?

Not all cooking oils can handle heat equally. While some lose their nutritional value on high heat, others can withstand it and add flavor to the meal cooked. Sesame, peanut, corn, soybean oils have high smoke points and are ideal for stir-frying and high heat frying. Olive, canola, and grape seed oils have moderate smoke points and are ideal for sautéing over medium-high heat. Flaxseed and walnut oil have low smoke points and can ideally be used as salad dressings and in dips.

10. Which Cooking Oils Gets The Hottest?

Mustard oil has one of the highest smoking points at 480°F. If you like to cook your food on heated oil and can tolerate its strong flavor, mustard oil is almost perfect for you. Almond oil also has a high smoking point at 430°F and is a healthy choice for those battling high cholesterol.

11. Which Cooking Oil Can Cure Diabetes?

Coconut oil is being regarded as an ideal oil for those suffering from diabetes, though vegetable oils and regular olive oil are also considered good alternatives.

12. Which is The Ideal Cooking Oil for Weight Loss?

Losing weight means keeping your calorie intake in control. On average, a tablespoon oil has about 120 calories. While choosing the right cooking oil can help in weight loss, it is equally important to be mindful of servings and portions. Olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil and tea seed oil are good for weight loss.

13. Which Cooking Oil is Best for Frying?

Coconut oil is considered the best cooking oil for frying. Even continuous deep frying doesn’t hamper its quality. This is because 90% of coconut oil is saturated making it resistant to heat.

14. Which Cooking Oil Can Reverse Diabetes?

Extra virgin olive oil is effective in reversing diabetes. Since it contains anti-inflammatory and glucose stabilization benefits, it works advantageously for those with Type-2 diabetes.

15. Which Cooking Oil is Good for Pregnancy?

Olive oil has multiple benefits both for pregnant women and their babies. Women who have olive oil during pregnancy helps their newborn improve height, weight, behavior and psychomotor reflexes.

16. Which Cooking Oil is Good for PCOS?

PCOS is one of the common health problem faced by many women. Plant-based oils are believed to be powerful healers as they can restore hormonal balances, release emotional stress and relax the body. Especially beneficial are Clary sage, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, and Lavender.

So here were some quick answers to help you clear your doubts regarding your cooking oils. If you have any more questions you can leave your comments below. If you find this article useful do share it with your friends and family.