Amazing Health Benefits of Using Groundnut Oil

Groundnut, for most of us, has been a good companion during snack-time hunger, casual strolls in the park, or sheer boredom. Roasted, fried, boiled or salted, they delight the taste buds in a substantial manner. They are a good source of protein and fibre and are certainly a healthier substitute for oily snacks.

The goodness of these legumes can be consumed in an entirely different form as well – groundnut oil (also known as peanut oil). Oil is extracted by pressing harvested groundnuts and is then used for the purpose of cooking.Groundnut oil, especially if it is organic, is considered fairly healthy. The following are the health benefits of groundnut oil:

* Source of unsaturated fats

Groundnuts contain 40 to 50 percent fat, and a tablespoonful of the oil made from them contains 13.5 grams of fat. This fat occurs in the form of different types of fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, etc. Most of this is unsaturated fat (both poly and mono) which is believed to be a good, healthy source of fat. This reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers bad cholesterol levels.

* Maintains heart health

Groundnut oil contains absolutely no cholesterol and therefore does not add unnecessary dietary cholesterol to our daily consumption. Atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque forms around the arteries and leads to thickening, can thus be avoided. It also has a substance called resveratrol that decreases blood pressure and reduces stress on the cardiovascular system.

* Contains antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the body from toxins and free radicals. Groundnut oil contains phytochemicals and vitamin E, both of which are natural antioxidants. It also reduces inflammation if consumed regularly. It is said to keep many diseases like cancer at bay.

* Skin care

The vitamin E helps maintain good skin health, making it look young and healthy. It prevents premature aging, wrinkles, and marks caused by free radicals.

* Slows cognitive disorders

Resveratrol in groundnuts, in addition to decreasing blood pressure, also slows down cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Being an antioxidant, it prevents free radicals from breaking down neural pathways in the brain, thus stopping the progress of the disease.