When the health and fitness wave took over, a lot of Indians turned to western ingredients for their kitchen, a lot of them swapped their regular cooking oil for not traditionally Indian ingredients like olive oil for example. But recently, numerous urban Indians are going back to their roots after research has shown that traditional Indian fat substances like groundnut oil are quite useful for your health.
My parents themselves have switched to groundnut oil for all kitchen purposes, and they say that it is one of the best decisions that they’ve made for their health and wellbeing.
So, what is groundnut oil and what is so special about it?
Groundnut oil or peanut oil is the oil extracted from peanuts. It is a mild, nutty tasting vegetable oil that is mostly used for cooking. Groundnut oil is used often in Chinese, South Asian, and South-East Asian cuisine. Groundnuts are rich in fats, so this oil is obtained by pressing harvested groundnuts to extract their fat – which is about 40% to 50%.
Plant-based oils do not contain cholesterol; groundnut oil is no different.
Some Benefits of Groundnut Oils
Majority of the health benefits of the peanut oil comes from the diverse types of fatty acids it has. Usually, unbalanced levels of fatty acids can be harmful to your body, but groundnut oil has a very safe balance that can help boost your health in various ways.
- Rich in unsaturated fats – Groundnut oil is rich in unsaturated fats. Many studies have shown that consumption of unsaturated fats is better than the intake of saturated or trans fats; use of unsaturated fats reduces the risk of heart disease. Monounsaturated fats help lower bad cholesterol, and groundnut oil has an abundance of it.
- No cholesterol – Our bodies naturally produce cholesterol, so there is no necessity for an intake of cholesterol through the diet. And groundnut oil has no cholesterol.
A diet high in cholesterol can increase the amount of plaque that builds up in your arteries, increasing your chances of developing atherosclerosis, better known as hardened arteries. Moreover, groundnut oil also reduces the current levels of body cholesterol due to the presence of plant sterols. - Anti-cancer – Studies show that groundnut oil also contains phytosterols which can protect one’s body from colon, prostate and breast cancer. Some studies suggest that these natural plant compounds can inhibit carcinogen production and cancer-cell growth.
- Lowers blood pressure – Resveratrol is a chemical found in peanuts which plays a vital function in the body. It cooperates with various hormones that influence blood vessels, which in return reduces stress on the cardiovascular system.
- Delays signs of aging – Groundnut oil is plentiful in Vitamin E which has become an essential element in skincare. It protects the skin from free radicals that cause wrinkles and fine lines, making the skin look younger and beautiful.
- Treats dry skin – Groundnut oil has moisturizing properties. Application of this oil on your skin can help in the treatment of it being dry and rough.
List of Best Groundnut Oils in India:
Like I mentioned earlier, many people have switched to groundnut oil for their cooking and other uses. If you want to do the same, then worry no more because we have listed the seven best groundnut oils you can buy in India.
Puvi Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
Puvi groundnut oil is best for cooking; it has a high smoke point and a mild nutty flavor. Peanuts are cold-pressed to extract the oil, so it is rich and full of nutrients. Puvi Oil is high in HDLs and has no cholesterol which is essential for maintaining the health of your heart.
This oil is rich in anti-oxidants which help in reducing your body’s bad cholesterol. Puvi Groundnut Oil comes in different sizes, and you can grab yourself a bottle (or two) from Amazon.
Daana Premium Organic Groundnut Oil
Daana Oil is the perfect balance between health and flavor. They use the cold-pressing method to extract their oil as other brands do. The peanuts are pressed under high pressure which draws out the oil without any involvement of unwanted chemicals or toxins. ]
Daana Groundnut Oil has a nutty flavor and a distinct aroma that ensures to enhance the taste of the food. You can use this oil for all purposes in the kitchen, deep-frying, grilling, sauteing or baking. Daana Groundnut Oil is sold in different quantities, and you can get one for yourself here on Amazon.
Gramiyum Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
This versatile groundnut oil can be used for cooking as well as on your body. It is produced by using the traditional process of Tamil Nadu, Marachekku.
The oil is also unfiltered; these processes help ensure that the original nutritional value of the groundnuts is retained inside the bottle. The makers assure that Gramiyum Oil 100% organic without any added preservatives or artificial flavoring.
The delicious aroma and taste you will get from this oil are entirely unadulterated and natural. You can get your own from Amazon.
Indic Wisdom Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
This oil is entirely natural and unfiltered. It has a fresh, delicate aroma which intensifies the taste of the food you cook with it. It is a pure and organic oil which has been extracted without the use of machinery that could alter its nutritional value.
The oil is not put through any chemical process, heating or bleaching. A wooden churner made from the finest of wood is used to extract oil from the groundnuts. Indic Wisdom Oil is unfiltered and maintains its real nutritional value.
Indic Wisdom Groundnut Oil is also sold in various quantities, and you can order one for yourself via Amazon.
Amrutva Extra Virgin Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
Amrutva Oil is made from high-quality peanuts using the cold-pressing method which enhances the nutritional value of the oil. It is not refined through machinery, only filtered through a cotton cloth so that the original richness and raw nutrition of the peanuts are held.
This makes sure that the oil is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, proteins, and essential minerals. Amrutva Groundnut Oil has zero added preservatives and guarantees a beautiful aroma and an incredible flavor to your food. You can try it yourself by buying a bottle on Amazon.
Pure & Sure Organic Groundnut Oil
Pure & Sure Oil is made from groundnuts of the most exceptional quality that are sourced from all over India. These groundnuts are cultivated in farms with controlled organic farming practices.
The oil is 100% cold-pressed and contains its real nutritional value even after it is packed into a bottle. The groundnuts are grown without the use of any chemicals, and this results in the best quality of the oil. Pure & Sure Oil is wholly organic and promises to live up to its expectations. You can buy a bottle for yourself on Amazon.
24 Mantra Organic Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
This oil is best for cooking because of its pleasant aroma and flavor. 24 Mantra is a brand that believes in organic farming which is why they do not use any sort of chemicals or pesticides while growing the groundnuts.
They think that going organic is taking a step towards a better tomorrow for the earth and our next generation. The peanuts they use are of the best quality and are rich in anti-oxidants.
The cold-pressing method doesn’t use any harmful or artificial refining agents. 24 Mantra assures you the best culinary experience with their Groundnut Oil. You can try it yourself by buying it from Amazon.
SatVyk Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil
Extracted using the traditional Indian method of cold-pressing, the wooden Ghani, this oil is abundant in nutrients and guarantees to take great care of your health. The peanuts used are carefully selected and come from farms that use organic and eco-friendly techniques of cultivating. The oil is refined and brings out an excellent taste in your food. You can order yourself a bottle from their website itself!