Groundnut oil, a very commonly used oil worldwide is also called as peanut oil or Arachis oil. Almost all the food makers, may it is a roadside stall or a restaurant, use ground oil for cooking. It is used especially for frying purposes. It has a strong flavour as well as the aroma. Ground nut oil is available in two forms- refined and filtered form. Filtered oil has more nutritional benefits. It is made from edible peanut seeds of the plant. The seed actually develops underground and thus they are named as groundnuts.
Nutritional values:
Peanuts are rich in protein, fat and various healthy nutrients. It also helps in weight loss and reduces the risk of heart disease. A single tablespoon of peanut oil contains 119 calories, fat content is 14 grams and saturated fat is 2.3 grams. The only vitamin present is vitamin E up to 11%. Vitamin E is an antioxidant residing in many health benefits. Peanut oil is high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and also has oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid,etc.No carbohydrates are present in groundnut oil.
Health Benefits:
Groundnut oil has a high smoking point so it is suitable for frying purpose because the formation of harmful substance due to heating occur beyond the smoking point. It is a source of unsaturated fats reducing the risk of heart disease and lowers bad cholesterol level. Atherosclerosis can be avoided using this oil regularly. Atherosclerosis is a medical condition in which a thick layer of plaque forms around the arteries thus increasing blood pressure. Vitamin E content maintains good skin health and prevents premature aging, wrinkles, etc. The antioxidant in groundnut oil is the main asset of it.
How to include in diet?
Groundnut oil can be used regularly for cooking meals. It is also good for frying stuff due to its high smoking point. Roasted peanut and peanut butter can also be added to our diet for health benefits. Indian and Chinese food is mostly fried so instead of using ordinary oil, one can prefer groundnut oil for frying. Fish and chicken can also be fried in groundnut oil for better taste.
