Oil has been a significant part of our lives, be it for cooking or for external use on our bodies. The refined oil that we have grown used to consume on a daily basis, however, is not completely equipped to benefit our health in the long run. When you compare the wide variety of refined oils present in the market today, you will find out that they are not as efficient as traditional wood-pressed oils. Why is that so? It all comes down to the manufacturing process of the different oils, which gives a natural and nutritious advantage to wood-pressed oils.
But before we can understand what makes them so good for our health, we must first understand “what is wood-pressed oil?”.
What Are Wood Pressed Oils?
Wood Pressed Oils are slowly becoming a popular household choice for cooking oils. Preferred to be a better choice over modern refined oils, wood pressed oils can bring you and your family a number of health benefits. But what are they, and how are they different?
While it is common knowledge that oil extraction happens from the seeds of a plant that holds the oil, there is so much more to the process of wood pressed oil than one can imagine. Wood-Pressed Oils are extracted from these seeds with the use of wooden pestles (wooden Ghani, Chekku, or Kolhu) that rotate on an axis at really slow speeds. What this does is that it achieves oil extraction at really low temperatures as the heat generated in the process is absorbed by the wooden Ghani, saving the nutrients in the oil from getting denatured.
The modern process of refined oil extraction, which makes use of heavy machinery, adds heat and solvents into the crushed pulp of seeds to extract the entirety of the oil content. As a result, the heat breaks down the molecular structure of the nutrients in the oil, while the solvents introduce toxic chemicals into our oil. Wood-Pressed Oils retain their nature on the very molecular level.
What Makes Wood Pressed Oils Good For Us?
For those of us who grew up in the previous generation or listened to our elders' stories about the quality of their life back in the day, we realise so much has changed. And yes, while it may be hard to believe, the same applies to the quality of oil we consume today. The category of refined oil that we consume today is readily available and at really affordable prices, but wood-pressed oils have a number of benefits for our health. Here are a few important benefits of wood pressed oil that you must know about.
- They retain all their nutrients, which include proteins, vitamins, lecithin, phospholipids, and fibre. These are important for our overall health as they keep our bodies functioning at their optimum levels.
- Wood pressed oils, especially groundnut oil, are rich in natural antioxidants. Oxidation of the nutrients and elements in our bodies results in the accumulation of toxins. Antioxidants protect the cells in our bodies from the effects of harmful oxidants and free radicals.
- Wood-pressed oils have a lower overall cholesterol level because they are extracted at a lower heat. It promotes the level of good cholesterol (HDL) while reducing the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.
- The vitamin E in wood pressed sesame oil gives it natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This way, wood-pressed oils are good for topical application as well.
- Because they are made without any solvent, wood-pressed oils are completely free of any harmful substances, including hexane, hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, bleaching agents, preservatives, and trans fat.
- Wood Pressed Oils (like mustard oil)retain their original flavour and freshness, which is something highly appreciated in today’s time.
- Most importantly, wood-pressed oils are a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) that are beneficial for our cardiovascular health.
Wood-Pressed Oils are made with a lot of intense manual labour, which is why people often consider refined oil made by machines. Remember that while they may cost less in terms of money, modern refined oils balance it out with their lack of health benefits in the long run.
Modern households are becoming sensitive to what they put into their bodies, which is why fresh ingredients and healthy cooking options have begun to take precedence. At Nayesha Mills, we give mindfulness priority, which is why every batch of our Wood pressed oil is extracted from high-quality materials through the use of natural methods and is 100% free from any type of adulteration. Head to our shop section to place your order for one of our excellent range of products.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between wood-pressed oils and regular oils?
A: Regular oils are extracted using machines and high heat, which can damage the nutrients. Wood-pressed oils are made by gently pressing the seeds using wooden pestles without added heat or chemicals. This process keeps the nutrients intact.
Q: Why are wood-pressed oils considered healthier?
A: Wood-pressed oils retain their natural nutrients like vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. They don't contain harmful substances like solvents or preservatives that regular oils might have.
Q: Can wood-pressed oils be used for cooking?
A: Yes, wood-pressed oils are excellent for cooking. Since they have a higher smoke point and don't break down easily, they are suitable for frying, sautéing, and other high-heat cooking methods.
Q: Are wood-pressed oils more expensive?
A: Wood-pressed oils are generally more expensive than regular oils because the extraction process is labour-intensive and done manually. However, the health benefits they offer make them worth the extra cost.
Q: How should wood-pressed oils be stored?
A: Wood-pressed oils should be stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and heat. This helps preserve their flavour and nutritional value for a longer time.
