Could the secret to improving the health of your brain lie in the cooking oil you use? When it comes to our food, we typically make healthy choices, but when it comes to cooking oil, we frequently fail to do so. Long prized for its high smoke point and nutty flavor, groundnut oil is now known for its ability to improve brain function.
What Brain-Healthy Ingredients Are in Groundnut Oil?
Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), which are abundant in groundnut oil, are also associated with brain and cardiovascular health. These are the same “good fats” that have long been associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment and are found in avocados and olive oil.
It is brain-friendly for the following reasons:
- A MUFA, oleic acid, lowers oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain.
- Antioxidant vitamin E protects brain cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Plant sterols are compounds that may lower cholesterol, which is indirectly linked to better blood flow to the brain.
- Resveratrol is neuroprotective and has been studied for the prevention of age-related brain diseases, despite its low levels.
The Relationship Between Fat and Brain
Nearly 60% of your brain is made of fat, and for it to work well, it needs the appropriate kind of fat. MUFAs, like those in groundnut oil, facilitate communication between brain cells and assist preserve the integrity of brain cell membranes.
Diets high in monounsaturated fat have been linked to improved memory, less cognitive decline, and even a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Diets rich in MUFA improved memory performance and increased brain volume in learning-related areas, according to a study published in Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience.
However, increasing groundnut oil is not enough; you also need to swap out unhealthy fats like trans fats and too much saturated fat for better ones.
Vitamin E Supplements and Brain Fog
Your brain may be experiencing oxidative stress, a condition in which free radicals outnumber antioxidants in the body, if you frequently feel intellectually exhausted or easily forgetful. This is where groundnut oil’s essential substance, vitamin E, comes in.
In elderly people, especially those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, vitamin E has been shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline. It helps protect nerve cells, improves blood flow to the brain, and helps prevent neuroinflammation.
What About Allergies, However?
Yes, that is a legitimate worry. There are those who are allergic to groundnuts, and this oil is strictly prohibited for those people. However, some people with peanut allergies may be able to take highly refined groundnut oil because it contains little to no peanut protein. Nevertheless, you should always consult an allergist first.
How to Make the Most of It
Because of its high smoke point, groundnut oil is ideal for Indian cookery, including deep-frying and tadkas. Here’s a tip, though: avoid heating it too much as this could destroy the healthy fats and create harmful substances.
Try utilizing it for:
- Curry leaves and turmeric are added to stir-fried veggies.
- For extra richness, pour over poha or upma.
- To achieve a nutty flavor, cook dal or khichdi.
Bottomline
Although groundnut oil is not a panacea, including it in a well-balanced diet may provide a mild improvement in brain function. It functions as a clever switch that promotes long-term cognitive health, focus, and memory. Therefore, groundnut oil may be the nutritious partner your brain has been longing for the next time you are choosing an oil for your stir-fry or sabzi.
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