Types of vegetable oils, classification and application

To fully nourish a person needs vegetable oils. These are sources of unsaturated fatty acids and the means that the body needs to assimilate fat-soluble vitamins. Vegetable oils differ in the composition of the raw materials, in the degree of purification and in the features of the technological process. First, you need to understand their classification. In this article we will consider the main types of vegetable oils and their application. Here we note their useful qualities and contraindications to use.

Classification of vegetable oils

Vegetable oils are classified according to the following characteristics:

1. Consistency: solid and liquid. Solid contains saturated fats. These include useful oils (cocoa and coconut) and little-used (palm). Liquid contain monounsaturated (olive, sesame, peanut, avocado, hazelnut) and polyunsaturated (sunflower, etc.) fatty acids.
2. By the way of pressing, cold-pressed oils are distinguished (the most useful ones); Hot (the raw material is heated before pressing, as a result of which it becomes more liquid and the product is extracted in a larger volume); Obtained by extraction (raw material before pressing is processed with a special solvent).
3. Types of vegetable oils by cleaning method:

• Unrefined - obtained as a result of rough mechanical cleaning; Such oils have a pronounced odor, are considered the most beneficial to the body and can have a characteristic sediment at the bottom of the bottle;
• Hydrated - purified by spraying with hot water, they are more transparent, do not have a pronounced odor and do not form a precipitate;
• Refined - oils that have undergone additional treatment after mechanical cleaning, with a weak taste and odor;
• Deodorized - obtained as a result of treatment with hot steam under vacuum, they practically do not have color, taste and smell.

Vegetable Oils for Food

Vegetable oils are widely used in all spheres of human life. Most of them are very useful. Some types of vegetable oils are used in the manufacture of cosmetics, shampoos, hair masks, etc. Some of them are more commonly used as medicines in folk medicine. And yet almost all varieties of vegetable oil are suitable for eating. They bring the body an invaluable benefit.

Among all the existing species are the most useful vegetable oils for food. These include those that contain monounsaturated fatty acids (olive, sesame, peanut, rapeseed, avocado and hazelnut). Such fats are considered healthy, since they help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

One of the most common oils, which is in great demand in all countries of the world, is sunflower.

Benefits and harms of sunflower oil

Sunflower is the most popular and popular in the whole world. Obtain it from the seeds of sunflower oil. In addition to all the useful properties that sunflower oil has, the price for it is one of the lowest in comparison with other varieties, which makes it even more affordable. It is only 65-80 rubles per liter.

Sunflower oil is a source of linoleic acid, important vitamins and a whole complex of unsaturated fats, including Omega-6. Its regular use contributes to the normalization of the work of all body systems, improves the quality of the skin and hair.

Sunflower oil, the price of which is set at one of the lowest levels, is widely used in cooking while making mayonnaise, other sauces, baking confectionery products, etc.

It is not recommended to use this product in excessive quantities for people with gallbladder diseases. It contains polyunsaturated fats, which form when heated free radicals - extremely dangerous for the human body substances.

Olive oil: beneficial properties for the body

Olive is obtained from European black or green olives. When it is made, different methods of spinning and the degree of purification are used. The most common types of vegetable oils are:

• Unrefined first spin - is obtained by mechanically pressing the raw material. This product is considered the most useful, ideal for filling salads and improving the quality and taste of ready meals.
• The refined second spin is obtained as a result of pressing the raw materials left after the first pressing. In the production process, up to 20% of the first-stage olive oil is added to it, so it is also very useful, besides it does not form carcinogens like frying with sunflower during frying.

Olive oil has such properties and characteristics:

• Contains twice as much oleic acid as sunflower;
• Reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood;
• Is used to prevent heart and vascular disease;
• Improves digestion;
• It is necessary for the assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins;
• Contains monounsaturated fatty acids and Omega-6 in small amounts.

The whole use of corn oil

Corn is derived from corn germs. By its useful properties, it exceeds such types of vegetable oils as sunflower and olive oil of the first pressing.

A product based on corn germs is useful in that:

• Is a source of fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated);
• Improves brain function;
• Stabilizes the endocrine system;
• Promotes the excretion of cholesterol from the blood.

This oil is especially recommended for salad dressing, as well as for stewing, cooking sauces. It begins to burn only when exposed to very high temperatures.

Soybean oil

Soy is produced from the seeds of a plant with the same name. It is widespread in Asian countries, where due to its unique chemical composition it is considered one of the most useful. Widely used as a dressing for salads and when preparing the first and second dishes.

The use of soybean oil for the body is due to its composition. It contains essential polyunsaturated fats (linoleic acid, oleic, palmitic, stearic), lecithin, Omega-3 and Omega-6, and vitamins E, K and choline. This product is recommended for use to improve immunity and speed up the metabolism.

Such a useful flaxseed oil

Flaxseed is produced by the method of cold pressing from flax seeds. Thanks to this method of purification, it retains all the beneficial properties and vitamins contained in the feedstock. Flaxseed and some other types of vegetable oils belong to the elixirs of youth, which have the highest biological value. It is considered the record for the number of Omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition, linseed oil has the following distinguishing features:

• Lowers the level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood;
• Improves metabolism;
• Protects nerve cells from destruction;
• Increases cerebral activity.

The product of flax seeds is recommended to be added to salads and ready-made meals, as well as to baking to give a beautiful bright orange color. Flaxseed oil has no contraindications to use.

Sesame oil and its beneficial properties

Sesame is produced by the method of cold pressing of fried or raw sesame seeds. In the first case, the product has a dark color and strong nutty taste, and in the second - a less pronounced color and aroma.

Useful qualities of sesame oil:

• This is the record among other types of oil in terms of calcium content;
• Stabilizes the endocrine and female reproductive system;
• Contains a unique antioxidant squalene, which increases the body's resistance to unfavorable conditions and cleanses blood from toxins and decomposition products;
• Ensures the removal of "bad" cholesterol, preventing its deposition in the vessels.

This product is widely used in Asian and Indian cuisine for marinating foods and dressing salads.

Rapeseed oil: useful properties and contraindications for use

Rape is obtained from the seeds of a plant called "rape". The product obtained as a result of seed processing is widely used for food consumption. In its unrefined form it contains erucic acid, which causes disorders in the development of the organism, in particular, slowing the onset of reproductive maturity. That is why it is recommended to eat only refined rapeseed oil for food.

Useful properties and contraindications are fully contained in its composition. Its use for the body is as follows:

• On the biochemical composition is superior to olive oil;
• Contains a large amount of vitamin E, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated acids;
• Normalizes the work of all body systems.

Contraindicated in the use of unrefined rapeseed oil, which contributes to the accumulation of toxins in the body.

Mustard oil and its benefits to the body

Mustard is extracted from the seeds of a plant with the same name. This oil was first obtained in the 8th century, but in Russia it became popular during the reign of Catherine II. The product has a golden color, a pleasant aroma and a unique, rich vitamin composition. Mustard oil contains unsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 and phytoncides, which fight against viruses and bacteria in the period of colds.

Mustard oil has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, acts as a natural antibiotic, improves the digestive system, improves blood composition, cleansing it.

Palm oil: useful and harmful qualities

Palm is extracted from the flesh of the fruit of a special oil palm tree. It is generally believed that it only harms the body. In particular, this oil consists of a large number of saturated fats, as a result of storage at room temperature turns into margarine, and when ingested it is poorly digested, causing indigestion. The use of such a product in large amounts can lead to serious disruptions in the work of the cardiovascular system, which other types of vegetable oils for food do not bring.

Among the positive qualities of this product can be noted its antioxidant properties, the ability to improve the condition of the skin and hair.