Creating Health & Nutrition Oils: What’s Cooking? BigStock.com impact the nutrition and a type of omega-3 fatty rated fats. Canola and Tip: cooking uses of oils. acid found in plants, safflower oils are also Read the label of the such as walnuts, flax very high in omega-9. In Smoke Point seed, and leafy greens. omega-9, the first double oil you are using to This refers to when Common cooking oils bond from the end of the cook with to help you the temperature of the that are good sources fatty acid is at carbon make healthier choic- oil exceeds safety, are canola and soybean atom 9. es. Choose an oil causing the release of oil. In omega-3, the first that is low in saturated free radicals that react double bond from the Unrefined Oils end of the fatty acid is at fat and high in poly- with oxygen-forming These oils occur exactly compounds that can carbon atom 3. as they do in plants. and monounsaturated harm your body. It is also The oils have a full, rich fatty acids. the temperature at which Omega-6 flavor and are higher in the oil will burn. Linoleic acid is a poly- nutrients such as antioxi- unsaturated essential dants and polyphenols. Nutrition Ratio of Fatty Acids fatty acid found mostly Information Fatty acids are the in plant oils. Common Refined Oils A growing number of building blocks of fat. cooking oils that are Oils are extracted from cooking oils are avail- Cooking oils have highest in omega-6 the plant using a solvent. able, but which oils are different amounts of are sunflower, corn, These types of oils have the best for cooking omega-3, omega-6, soybean, and cotton- a higher yield and and provide the most and omega-9 fatty seed. In omega-6, the are easily preserved healthful benefits? Let’s acids. These fatty acids first double bond from because of a lower risk explore a variety of impact the physical and the end of the fatty acid of rancidity. Refined cooking oils and how to nutritional qualities of is at carbon atom 6. oils also contain fewer evaluate them for use in cooking oils. Omega-3 polyphenols due to the the kitchen. To assess the and omega-6 fatty Omega-9 manufacturing process. nutritional and cooking acids are both essential Oleic acid is a main Polyphenols help protect qualities of different oils fatty acids for humans, component of olive oil cells from oxidative we will look at smoke meaning they must be and other monounsatu- damage. point, ratio of fatty acids, obtained through the and refined versus unre- diet. fined oils. Let’s define these terms to help Omega-3 understand how they can Alpha-linolenic acid is Now let’s compare the origin, production, fatty acid composition (Table 1), and smoke point of different cooking oils (Table 2). Table 1. Common Cooking Oils Origin and Production Information Canola Oil The oil is pressed from the seeds from the flower of the plant. Canola oil is one of the most common cooking oils in America. The canola plant belongs to the same family as mustard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Olive Oil There are specific standards of production and purification that olive oil producers must meet before selling their olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is oil made from cold-pressed olives. EVOO is the highest-quality oil from first pressing using no heat or chemicals. “Lite olive oil” means the oil is refined, not that it is low in fat; color may be lighter, lacking the flavor of olives—use when flavor is not needed. The fat and calories are the same in all grades of olive oil. Olive oil does not get better with age. Look for the furthest out “best by date” when purchasing. Store olive oil tightly covered in a cool, dark place; under these conditions, it should remain fresh for about 18 to 24 months. An open bottle of olive oil can also be refriger- ated to extend its shelf-life; this is especially recommended in hot, humid environments. Refrigerating olive oil may cause the oil to become cloudy and even solidify; this will not affect the flavor or quality. At room temperature, the oil will return to its normal consistency and color. When stored properly, olive oil will be safe to consume after the “best date.” Oil should be discarded if an off odor, flavor, or appearance is detected. Olive oil is very high in monounsaturated fats and contains a modest amount of vitamins E and K. True extra virgin olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, some of which have powerful health benefits. Peanut Oil Peanut oil production is traditionally hot pressed but can also be cold pressed. The hot-pressing process can denature or alter the chemical components found naturally in the oil. Coconut Oil Coconut oil is produced from the milk or meat of the coconut. The oil is higher in saturated fat and therefore resistant to oxidation and rancidity. Avocado Oil Avocado oil is made by mashing the flesh and undergoing heat processing to remove the oils. After processing, the oil appears bright green because of a higher chlorophyll content. Sesame Oil Sesame oil is pressed from a fully ripe sesame seed. The oil has high sesamol content, a phenol antioxidant that prevents the oil from turning rancid. Palm Oil Palm oil is a vegetable oil from the palm fruit or mesocarp (red pulp) of an palm oil tree. Palm oil is highly saturated and therefore semi-solid at room temperature. This low-cost oil is used largely for frying applications due to its oxidative stability. BigStock.com Table 2. Smoke point and fatty acid composition of common cooking oils. Smoke point (°F) Fatty Acids Composition (%) Oil Unrefined Refined Omega-9 Omega-6 Omega-3 Saturated Fat Canola Oil 400 470 61 21 11 7 Olive Oil 320 420 75 9 1 15 Peanut Oil 320 450 48 33 0 19 Coconut Oil 350 450 7 2 0 91 Sesame Oil 410 450 42 40 0.20 17 Avocado Oil 480 520 60–80 7–20 1 12 Palm Oil 255 455 39 10 0 51 Be sure to read our size, and help contain sunflower, corn, and soy. are considered unhealthy “Omega Fatty Acids” an infection or reduce Saturated fats, unlike fats. Foods like butter, Creating Health and bleeding. polyunsaturated fatty palm and coconut oils, Nutrition fact sheet if you acids, don’t contain cheese, and red meat are interested in more Common vegetable oils any double bonds. have high amounts of detailed information on that are high in polyun- Saturated fats are most saturated fat. omega-3 and omega-6 saturated fats include often solid at room fatty acids. canola, peanut, sesame, temperature. These fats Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsat- urated fatty acids. These Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus fatty acids can form (with Fennel) hormonelike compounds 2 garlic cloves, minced INGREDIENTS called eicosanoids in 1 tsp kosher salt the body that can have 1½ pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed (add ½ tsp pepper juice possible health benefits some strips of fresh fennel) 1 Tbsp lemon by helping to regulate 1½ cups grape ½ cup grated bodily functions. tomatoes, halved Parmesan cheese 3 Tbsp pine nuts 1 tsp grated The omega-3 eicosa- 3 Tsp olive oil, divided lemon peel noids tend to reduce inflammation and protect DIRECTIONS against heart attacks, Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place pre-rinsed asparagus, tomatoes, strokes, and inflam- and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15-inch x 10-inch x 1-inch baking matory diseases such pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt, and pepper; add to as arthritis, lupus, and asparagus and toss to coat. Bake 15–20 minutes and reaches asthma. a minimum temperature of 135°F. Drizzle with remaining oil and lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon peel. Toss to The omega-6 AA forms combine. eicosanoids that increase NUTRIENT INFORMATION the inflammatory Serving size: ½ cup (128 grams), servings per container: 8 response to injury, stress, Per serving: calories 100, total fat 8 g, saturated fat 1.5 g, infection, and disease. sodium 300 mg, carbohydrate 6 g, fiber 2 g, protein 4 g. These increase clotting, Recipe source: Taste of Home restrict blood vessel Shopping Use oils with a higher Tips Impacting Tips smoke point (see Table Different Age Look at the label to see 2) for frying or other Groups high-heat cooking. Use whether the oil is “unre- As we age, our arteries oils with lower smoke fined,” “cold pressed,” stiffen. Choosing points for cold items, or “virgin.” This oil will unrefined cooking oils such as salad dressings have higher nutrition with less saturated fat and pasta salads, or because the compounds and that contain poly- seasoning already have not been altered phenols can help protect cooked items. with heat processing. your heart and arteries. BigStock.com Examine Your Choices Food Source What I Buy What I Plan to Buy/Change Example: Oil Omega-3 canola oil Margarine Canola oil or butter/canola or olive oil blends My goal: _____________________________________________________________________________ Sources ABC Machinery. Healthline. “How to Optimize Your Schmid, Katherine M., and John B. Wong, Marie, Cecilia “Peanut Oil Production.” Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio.” Ohlrogge. “Biochemistry of Lipids, Requejo-Jackman, and Allan Woolf. http://www.bestoilmillplant.com/ https://www.healthline.com/ Lipoproteins and Membranes.” “What Is Unrefined, Extra Virgin peanut-oil-production.html. nutrition/optimize-omega-6- In New Comprehensive Biochem- Cold-Pressed Avocado Oil?” omega-3-ratio#section4.