The Benefits of Peanut Oil

Nutritional Profile of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil, also known as groundnut oil, is renowned for its nutritional profile:

1. Healthy Fats:

Peanut oil is a rich source of healthy fats, offering a specific breakdown of 20% saturated fat, 50% mono-unsaturated fat (MUFA), and 30% poly-unsaturated fat (PUFA). This profile ranks peanut oil favourably on the nutrition chart over many other edible oils. The high MUFA content, particularly oleic acid, offers potential benefits for cardiac health and blood sugar control when consumed in moderation.

2. Vitamin E:

The vitamin E in peanut oil is a potent antioxidant which helps protect cells from oxidative damage, prevents the development of chronic diseases, strengthens the immune system, improves healthy red blood cell production, and enhances cognitive function.

3. Phytosterols:

These plant compounds have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, supporting cardiovascular health.

4. Caloric Content:

Peanut oil is energy-dense, providing around 120 calories per tbspn.

While a moderate amount of saturated fat is part of a balanced diet plan, peanut oil's favourable fat profile with lower saturated fat content and vitamin E makes it a perfect value addition to your diet.

Benefits of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil offers several benefits, making it a popular choice for both culinary and health purposes. Using this oil for cooking can provide potential health benefits including:

1. Improved Heart Health:

With high levels of Vitamin E and unsaturated good fats, peanut oil could be good for the heart and contribute to a lower risk of heart disease.

2. Better Diabetes Control:

Few studies show that unsaturated fats can help improve blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. The polyunsaturated fats can also improve insulin secretion, which helps keep blood sugar levels low.

3. Lower Cholesterol levels:

The mono-unsaturated fats can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases and stroke.