Did you know that Groundnut oil is one of the world's healthiest oils? Why do so many doctors and nutritionists advocate Groundnut oil?
When you heat oils, the majority of them transform into trans-fat but groundnut oil, on the other hand, has a comparatively high smoke point of 437℉ or 225℃. This property helps it retain vitamins, minerals, and beneficial nutrients. As a result, it's the ideal cooking oil.
Is Groundnut Good for Health?
Wondering how is groundnut good for health? Short answer - Yes, Groundnut is good for health.
Groundnuts are high in protein, fat, several vitamins, and minerals. According to studies, groundnuts lower the risk of heart disease and may also help with weight loss. These tiny nuts are rich in fat, with mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Groundnuts are a good source of plant-based proteins and are low in carbohydrates. This makes them a healthy dietary option for diabetes.
Biotin, copper, niacin, folate, manganese, vitamin E, thiamine, phosphorus, and magnesium are some minerals in these nuts. Moreover, antioxidants like coumaric acid, resveratrol, and antinutrients like phytic acid, are also found in groundnuts. Antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals and toxins, thereby safeguarding the heart.
Nutritional Value of Groundnut Oil
The seeds of the groundnut plants are used to extract groundnut oil. The following table shows the estimated nutritional contents of one tablespoon of Groundnut oil.
In addition, the nutritional value of ground nut oil includes omega-6 fatty acids and fatty acids in a balanced ratio that helps the metabolism and nervous system.
Oleic acid, often known as omega-9, is the common monounsaturated fat in Groundnut oil. It also includes a lot of linoleic acids, an omega-6 fatty acid, and palmitic acid, which is saturated fat.
Vitamin E content in Groundnut oil is 11%, Vitamin K is 1%, iron is 1%, and choline is 1%.
Groundnut Oil Benefits
Incorporating groundnut oil into one's regular diet is beneficial in many ways. Continue reading to learn about the groundnut benefits for your health.
1. Lowers Risk of Heart Ailments
If you are thinking is groundnut good for cholesterol, then the answer is yes.
Groundnut oil has a significant amount of vitamin E, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, collectively known as good fats.
According to research, substituting these forms of unsaturated fats for saturated fats reduces the risk of heart disease. Vitamin E helps to protect the heart from the effects of free radicals in the body.
2. Keeps Blood Pressure Under Control
Studies show that Resveratrol lowers blood pressure and reduces the load on the cardiovascular system. Groundnut oil has no cholesterol. Thus, it does not contribute extra dietary cholesterol.
3. Prevents Arthritis
Due to its high anti-inflammatory characteristics, groundnut oil can be used in cooking to keep arthritis at bay. It also helps to strengthen the joints and alleviate joint discomfort. Cold-pressed oil helps relieve joint pain by reducing inflammation in the joints.
4. Abundant in Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your body from toxins and free radicals. Groundnut oil contains phytochemicals and vitamin E, which are natural antioxidants and help reduce inflammation.
5. Keeps a Check on Cholesterol Levels
If you are thinking, why is groundnut good for cholesterol? Here is your answer. Groundnut oil is cholesterol-free. Phytosterols compete with cholesterol absorption in the stomach and gut, lowering cholesterol levels. Fatty acids raise HDL, or good cholesterol, which helps lower LDL or bad cholesterol.
6. As Body Massage Therapy
A groundnut oil massage is soothing and energising and can help relieve muscle pain. When applied regularly, this provides excellent comfort for painful muscles and joints. Groundnut oil is a good way to nurture your baby's skin. It is used in aromatherapy. Groundnut oil benefits as a relaxing and rejuvenating massage oil.
7. Prevents Cognitive Disorders
Studies show that Resveratrol in groundnut oil benefits by slowing the cognitive decline in conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. As an antioxidant, it stops free radicals from destroying neuronal connections in the brain, halting disease progression.
8. Enhances Blood Circulation
Linoleic acid, found in Groundnut oil, is a precursor to prostaglandins. Prostaglandin is essential for several vital functions, including the contraction and dilation of blood vessels and other muscles.
9. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Groundnut oil is good for the health of diabetes patients. This is due to the high quantity of unsaturated fats in groundnut oil that improves insulin sensitivity.
A study has shown unsaturated fats increase glucose levels in diabetes. Insulin secretion can also be improved by eating polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated fats. According to studies, oleic acid increases insulin production to counteract the inhibitory effect of insulin.
10. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
This oil is rich in antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to your everyday diet. Antioxidants, vitamin E, and polyphenols help reduce inflammation and battle cancer cells. Phytosterols and beta-sitosterol have been shown in studies to protect the body from colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
11. Helps You Deal With Gut Issues
Groundnut oil aids in the prevention of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. As a result, it's an excellent remedy for conditions like constipation, digestive issues, and diarrhoea.
12. Groundnut Oil Benefits for Skin
Groundnut oil benefits for skin are not confined to one issue. Among them are:
- Anti-ageing- Although ageing is inevitable, groundnut oil can help slow it down! Groundnut oil has anti-ageing benefits and is high in vitamin E. This oil helps diminish signs of ageing such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin, and pigmentation. It protects free radicals from causing premature ageing, wrinkles, and blemishes.
- Anti-acne action- Groundnut oil will undoubtedly help you if you've been suffering from acne. It fights any inflammation that might lead to acne. Groundnut oil is often a remedy for dry skin and works wonders by preventing blackheads on your skin.
- Hydrates your lips- Groundnut oil is excellent for moisturising the lips. It contains vitamin E, which softens lips and restores their natural pinkish tint. This is another one of the many groundnut oil benefits for skin.
13. Groundnut Oil for Weight Loss
Many people use groundnut oil for weight loss, as it helps speed up metabolism.
In fact, according to research, those who eat groundnuts or groundnut oil have a two-fold increased chance of reversing their metabolic syndrome.
14. Benefits of Groundnut Oil for Hair
There are many benefits of groundnut oil for hair. It contains vitamin E, which helps strengthen hair follicles, reduces damage, and prevents dandruff. Moreover, groundnut oil thickens hair, provides moisture to split ends, and regenerates damaged hair by reducing protein loss. It also helps to keep the scalp from flaking.
How to Make Groundnut Oil at Home?
Although brands offer groundnut oil, you can actually make it at home. Following are some of the ingredients you'll need for this oil preparation.
- 4 cups uncooked groundnuts
- 14 cup of water
Method:
- Roast the groundnuts in a heavy-bottomed skillet until they emit a pleasant scent.
- Turn off the flame and allow the groundnuts to cool.
- Remove the outer coating of the roasted groundnuts.
- In a blender, add the roasted groundnuts with the water. Grind into a smooth paste.
- Keep the resultant groundnut paste in the refrigerator for a day.
- Separate the oil from the paste and store it in a clean glass bottle.
You can use this homemade groundnut oil in any way you like.
Side-effects & Allergies of Groundnut Oil
The side effects of utilising groundnut oil are minimal. It is safe for most when consumed in food, applied to the skin, or administered rectally in medical doses. However, it may induce a severe allergic response or anaphylaxis in people with hypersensitivity to groundnuts, soybeans, and other leguminous plants.
If a person with a groundnut allergy mistakenly ingests or uses it, they may experience severe side effects like vomiting, abdominal discomfort, swollen lips and throat, trouble breathing, and chest congestion.
Summing Up on Groundnut Oil Benefits
Groundnut oil is widely used all over the world. It contains a wellspring of minerals, vitamins, and organic elements that are less filtered so that they can keep up with the nutty flavour.
It's high in the antioxidant vitamin E, which may help lower the risk of heart disease. It helps in diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. It improves gut health, can prevent cancer, and benefit hair and skin.
FAQs
Is Groundnut Good for Cholesterol?
Yes, groundnut is good for cholesterol. Several components of nuts, particularly groundnuts, offer beneficial oils, protein, and fibre, all of which can help lower cholesterol. They are high in monounsaturated fat, which is a heart-healthy lipid that helps decrease LDL levels.
Which Is Better, Groundnut or Sunflower Oil?
In terms of dietary energy, groundnut and sunflower oils have roughly 884 kcal (kilocalories) per 100 grams of energy. Groundnut oil has 32 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to 65.7 grams in sunflower oil. Groundnut oil has 46.2 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) compared to 19.5 grams in sunflower oil.
While both oils appear good for your heart, groundnut oil has a higher Omega-6 fatty acid concentration, making it a healthier choice.
Which Oil Is Best for the Heart?
- Canola oil: It is a great option for people with heart disease or high cholesterol. It has high omega 3 and monounsaturated fat content, which are good for the heart.
- Groundnut oil: It is a good source of good fats. In addition, replacing saturated fat with these types of unsaturated fats reduces heart disease risk.
- Extra virgin olive oil: It is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which benefit heart health.
- Sunflower oil and flaxseed oil: These are safe for cardiac health.
- Walnut oil: It has a low smoking point and omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acid ratio, making it heart-friendly.
References
- Evros K Vassiliou, June 2009; Oleic acid and peanut oil high in oleic acid reverse the inhibitory effect of insulin production of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha both in vitro and in vivo systems - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19558671/
- Teng Ma, November 2014; Resveratrol as a Therapeutic Agent for Alzheimer's Disease - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261550/
- Johannes M. Breuss, March 2019; Resveratrol and Its Effects on the Vascular System - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6479680/
- Yanping Li, October 2015; Saturated Fat as Compared With Unsaturated Fats and Sources of Carbohydrates in Relation to Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4593072/
- Shamim Akhtar, February 2014; Physicochemical Characteristics, Functional Properties, and Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Oil: A Review - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260442441
- Nuts for the Heart - https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/nuts-for-the-heart/
