Tag: Hazelnut Oil

Are Refined Oil Products Good For You?

There are several different kinds of oils on the market, and some are healthier than others. It all depends on how they are processed.  To understand the different types, you first need to know how each of them is made. It is equally important to know which are ideal for each cooking situation. Some are better for cooking and others for skincare. Here is an overview of the various kinds of oils and what they are used for.

Unrefined Oil

The difference in refined and unrefined oils, all depends on the process in which it is made. Unrefined oils are cold, or expeller-pressed oils that have not been bleached or deodorized. They do not go through the high-heat processes that refined oils go through. This means that it retains most of its nutrients. It also keeps most of the flavor from the vegetable that it derives from. Unrefined oils include oils such as raw, pure, virgin, or extra virgin oils. This is determined by how many times the materials were pressed to extract the oil. Depending on the type of unrefined oil, the process can vary.

Unrefined oils are better used in low to no heat situations. High heat cooking will ruin the integrity of the oil, making it lose its nutritional value and flavor. This makes them ideal for making a salad dressing or vinaigrette. However, they can be added to a dish afterward to enhance the flavor. A great example of this is adding an unrefined oil to a pasta dish.

Most tree oils can do wonders for your skin. Unrefined oils specifically provide high levels of vitamins B and E, as well as antioxidants. This helps in enhancing the texture and quality of the skin. It also helps to protect the skin from eczema and helps to prevent the acceleration of the aging process. A few teaspoons a day should do the trick.

Great Unrefined Oils

Almond Oil
Almond oil is high in unsaturated fats. This makes it ideal for reducing heart disease and obesity. Mainly, it is high in monounsaturated fat. This type of fat helps to lower high blood pressure. Monounsaturated fat has been known to increase HDL levels, which is the good kind of cholesterol. Almond oil is also said to lower your bad cholesterol, due to its low LDL (low-density lipoproteins). LDL is considered bad cholesterol because it clogs the arteries. Almond oil has a mildly sweet and nutty taste, with a hint of butter. Plus, its smoke point isn’t as low as many of the other tree oils. Almond oil is great outside of the kitchen as well. It boasts great benefits for your skin, hair, and is even excellent for aromatherapy.

Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is made through the expeller pressing process. There is a refined version available, but it isn’t as nutritionally valuable. The smoke point of avocado oil is quite high at 520-degrees Fahrenheit. This means that it can be used for high-temperature cooking. However, it is still best suited for salad dressing or a bread dip. The unrefined version has a buttery flavor, with a grassy hint. Avocado oil decreases inflammation and improves your cholesterol.

Canola Oil
Canola oil is made from rapeseed and goes typically through the expeller process. It is suitable for baking and stir-frying, with a smoke point of 400-degrees Fahrenheit. It is also a good base for making mayonnaise. This is because its flavor is neutral and doesn’t stand out too much. Canola oil’s benefits include lowering your LDL and triglyceride levels, as well as improving your insulin sensitivity. This makes it great for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Refined Oil

Refined by definition means to purify, but there isn’t much purity when it comes to refined oils. During the extraction process, refined oils have a variety of chemicals added to them. These chemicals can be very harmful to us as opposed to unrefined oils. In an attempt to avoid oxidation, they are bleached and deodorized. Refined oils go through a high-heat process that rids the oil of a lot of the nutrients that would otherwise be found in them. They are lacking in fatty acids, antioxidants, the anti-inflammatory benefits found in unrefined oils.

Refined oils are better for high-temperature cooking than unrefined oils. This is because their smoke point is usually a lot higher. However, this also takes away from much of the sumptuous flavor found in unrefined oils. Finally, they do not boast the skin benefits that you get from unrefined oil, but if you must, I would recommend finding an organic version. Refined oils are actually a bit less expensive than unrefined oils. So, there is that. Aside from price, unrefined oils are definitely the better option.

Great Refined Oils

Walnut Oil

Walnut oil contains a large amount of omega-3 fats, which is one of the good kinds of fat. It is also rich in antioxidants. These two factors contribute to its viability in heart health and the prevention of cancer. Walnuts have also been known to improve brain function. Studies have shown that consistent consumption of walnut oil reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease. This is also linked to the notable presence of antioxidants in walnut oil. The potassium found in walnut oil has also been known to defend against hair loss, speeding up the process of hair growth. It also has plenty of vitamins such as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, and E. However, walnuts are among the most allergenic foods. So, you should be sure that you are not allergic before consuming walnut oil. The smoking point of refined walnut oil is 400-degrees Fahrenheit.

Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is extracted from the inner husk of rice grains. It has the right balance of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats. This means it is considered pretty heart-healthy. Rice bran oil contains a large amount of vitamin E tocotrienols and vitamin K. Tocotrienols help fight damage to the gastrointestinal system. Rice bran oil also lowers LDL levels and reduces the risk of cancer. Its smoke point is 490-degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it excellent for high-heat situations, such as stir-frying, grilling, and sautéing.

Hazelnut Oil

Hazelnut oil is best used for cold dishes, similar to walnut oil. So, if you are making a vinaigrette or dressing, then this is the way to go. It has a pleasant nutty taste, and its smoke point is relatively decent at 430-degrees Fahrenheit. Hazelnut oil is great for salads and pasta dishes.

Refined vs. Unrefined

The verdict is in, and unrefined oil is the clear winner. It has many more health benefits and is much more versatile than refined oils. Refined oils are still better for high heat cooking and are more cost-friendly. However, if you are concerned about your health, I would recommend splurging on unrefined oils.

Is Walnut Oil Healthy?

 

When it comes to oils, there are so many available options. Some are good for you and can help improve your heart health while others or not so good for you. Even if not edible, you can find other uses and benefits for the oil. But first, if you plan to use the oil for cooking, baking or splashing some on your salad you need to know if it will clog your arteries. As you know there is a very close relationship between the fats and oils in the food we love to eat and cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack. Some oils are better for you when not heated or when used for low temperature cooking.

Nut oils such as walnut oil has it place in the kitchen cabinet and medicine cabinet. However, you are here to find out if walnut oil is healthy.

Walnut oil is one of those oils that you don’t hear about very often. Most don’t use this oil in their day to day lives, but perhaps they should. Walnut oil is made from dried nuts, typically Persian walnuts. This is what gives it a very nutty scent and flavor. If it is good quality, it should be topaz in color. It is usually produced in either France, New Zealand, California, or Australia. The oil can be a bit on the expensive side, but if you use it properly, it should last a long time. Walnut oil has many uses that are not limited only to cooking. I know it can be challenging to keep up with all the different oils on your supermarket shelf But what you really want to know is if walnut oil is healthy?

How is Walnut Oil Made?

To make walnut oil, first, the nuts must be roasted to loosen the oil and enhance the flavor. Next, the nuts are cold-pressed in order to draw out the oil from them. You need five pounds of walnuts to make one liter of oil. The oil can be either unrefined or semi-refined, but most of the time, it is unrefined. You can do this process on your own with a walnut oil extraction machine, but beware. The extraction machine can be quite pricey, but they are well worth it in the long run. Nonetheless, walnut oil needs to be refrigerated and kept away from the light once opened. When exposed to light, the oil becomes rancid.

Refined vs. Unrefined

The difference in refined and unrefined oils, all depends on the process in which it is made. Unrefined oils are cold-pressed oils that have not been bleached or deodorized. While unrefined oils include oils such as raw, pure, virgin, or extra virgin oils. This is determined by how many times the materials were pressed to extract the oil. Extra virgin oil means that the oil was extracted after the first pressing. If your oil doesn’t taste like the product it was derived from, then you have a refined oil.

Nutritional Value

Walnut oil contains a large amount of omega-3 fats, which is one of the good kinds of fat. It is also rich in antioxidants. These two factors contribute to its viability in heart health and the prevention of cancer. Walnuts have also been known to improve brain function. Studies have shown that consistent consumption of walnut oil reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease. This is also linked to the notable presence of antioxidants in walnut oil. The potassium found in walnut oil has also been known to defend against hair loss, speeding up the process of hair growth. It also has plenty of vitamins such as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, and E. However, walnuts are among the most allergenic foods, so you should be sure that you are not allergic before consuming walnut oil.

Nutritional Facts

One tablespoon of walnut oil contains:
• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total Carb: 0g
• Protein: 0g

What is Walnut Oil Used For?

Walnut oil can be an excellent tool for cooking, but that isn’t all that it is suitable for. Here are a few uses that will encourage you to keep it in your home:

Cooking

We will start with the most apparent use for walnut oil. Walnut oil is excellent to use in cold sauces or to add a twist to certain desserts. It is also useful for adding flavor to fish or steak, as well as a nice pasta. Most of all, it is perfect for making salad dressings and vinaigrettes. However, be sure not to attempt to use it for frying. This will destroy the oils unique flavor.

Skin Care

Like most tree oils, walnut oil can do wonders for your skin. Walnut oil provides high levels of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, vitamin E, and niacin. This helps in enhancing the texture and quality of the skin. It also helps protect the skin from eczema. A few teaspoons a day should do the trick. Finally, the high levels of antioxidants in the walnut oil help to prevent the acceleration of the aging process. Why wouldn’t you want to postpone wrinkles?

Hair

Walnut oil also has anti-fungal properties. This makes it an excellent option for protecting the health of your scalp and relieving irritation. It adds shine to your hair and fights off dandruff. The potassium found in walnut oil has also been known to defend against hair loss, speeding up the process of hair growth.

Wood Finishing

Walnut oil has been traditionally used in France as a furniture polisher. This is because it is non-toxic and has a natural resistance to water and alcohol. After the surfaces have been cleaned and dusted, it is time to bring out the walnut oil. Use a brush or cloth, and your surface will be nicely polished.

Smoke Point

The smoke point (burning point) of an oil is the temperature in which the oil begins to smoke.  This is an approximate number but is important to know because the oil becomes unhealthy somewhere around this number.  When using walnut oil, you must be very wary of the smoking point. If you allow the oil to burn, it will ruin its flavor entirely. The smoking point of walnut oil depends on whether it is unrefined or refined. Either way, the smoking point is not very high, which is why walnut oil isn’t a suitable choice for high-temperature cooking. The smoking point of refined walnut oil is 400-degrees Fahrenheit, while the smoking point for unrefined walnut oil is 320-degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should keep in mind that most of the available walnut oil is unrefined. If you are planning on using oil for high-temperature cooking, you are better off using avocado or pecan oils.

Drying Time

When using walnut oil to polish wood, you must pay attention to the drying time. Typically, you want to let walnut oil layers dry for at least 24 hours between coats; longer if possible. If you need it to dry more quickly, then you can heat it in a pot less than one-third full until you begin to see fumes. However, it needs to be done carefully. If cooked too long the oil will become flammable.

Alternative to Walnut Oil

As stated, before walnut, oil can be quite expensive. So, if you don’t have any in your home, if you are allergic to nuts, or simply don’t like walnut oil, then there are alternatives that you can use in its place. Here are a few of your other options:

Olive Oil – Olive oil can be used as a substitute for walnut oil in most recipes. If you are using it in a recipe that requires high heat, then use regular or light olive oil. If not, then you should go for extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil has a pleasant fruity taste to it.

Hazelnut Oil – Hazelnut oil is best used for cold dishes, just like walnut oil. So, if you are making a vinaigrette or dressing, then this is the way to go. It has a nutty taste that is similar to walnut oil, which makes it one of the best alternatives. Hazelnut oil is great for salads and pasta dishes.

Almond Oil – Almond oil is another nut oil that is rich with flavor and great for salads. Just like walnut oil, it is high in vitamin E. It is also great for desserts but doesn’t quite have the same effect as walnut oil. However, it does have a higher smoking point than walnut oil, so it can be used for recipes with a higher heat requirement.

Sunflower Oil – Sunflower oil has a much milder taste to it than walnut oil, so I wouldn’t count on it for flavor value. Like almond oil, it can be used for higher temperature cooking but is also good for cold dishes. It is high in vitamin E and low in saturated fat, which makes it an excellent alternative to walnut oil.

Is Walnut Oil Healthy?

Walnut oil is high in heart-healthy fats as well as antioxidants. It reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. The oil can even be used for hair and skin treatment. Overall, it is safe to say that walnut oil is safe to consume but for cooking.