Vegetable oil has been used for food, beauty and health for many centuries. Depending on the geographical location, each people had their own familiar oils. In Russia it was hemp, in the Mediterranean - olive, in Asia - palm and coconut. An imperial delicacy, a cure for a hundred diseases, a natural pharmacy - as soon as they were not called in different times vegetable oil. What are the benefits of vegetable fats and how are they used today?

The huge energy potential of vegetable fats is explained by their purpose. They are found in seeds and other parts of the plant and represent a building reserve for the plant. The amount of fat in oilseeds depends on the geographic area and its climatic conditions.

Sunflower oil is one of the varieties of vegetable and purely Russian product. It began to be obtained from sunflower seeds at the beginning of the 19th century, when the plant was brought to our country. Today Russian Federation- the world's largest supplier of this product. Vegetable oils are divided into two categories - base and essential. They differ in purpose, raw material and method of obtaining.

Table: differences between base and essential oils

	vegetable	Essential
Class	fats	ethers
Feedstock	kernels; seeds; fruit;	leaves; stems; rhizomes;
Organoleptic properties	do not have a pronounced odor; oily heavy base; pale colors - from light yellow to greenish	have a rich aroma; flowing oily liquids; the color depends on the raw material and may be dark or bright
How to obtain	pressing; extraction	distillation; cold pressing; extraction
Scope of use	cooking; pharmacology; cosmetology; industrial production	aromatherapy; pharmacology; perfume industry
Method of application in cosmetology	transport oil; base for the preparation of oil mixtures; as an independent agent in undiluted form	only in combination with base oils

According to the consistency, vegetable oils are of two types - liquid and solid. Liquids make up the vast majority.

Solid or butter oils are oils that retain a liquid consistency only at temperatures above 30 ° C. Butters of natural origin - coconut, mango, shea, cocoa and palm oil.

How to get

Vegetable oils differ in the technology of their extraction from plants. Cold pressing is the most gentle way of processing raw materials (it must be of the highest quality). The seeds are placed under a press and squeezed at high pressure. Further, the resulting oily liquid is settled, filtered and bottled. At the output of raw materials, no more than 27% of the fats contained in it are obtained. This is the healthiest product called cold pressed oil.

Pressing after heat treatment allows the use of seeds of any quality. They are preheated in a brazier, then squeezed. Yield - 43%. In this case, some of the useful properties of the oil are lost.

Extraction is the most productive and cheapest way to obtain organic oil. It is used to work with low-oil raw materials. The extraction method uses the ability of vegetable fats to dissolve under the influence of chemicals. Oil products (gasoline fractions) are used as a solvent. Then they are evaporated, and the residues are removed with alkali. Get in this way harmless vegetable oil impossible, some of the chemicals remain in it even after the most thorough cleaning.

Photo gallery: types of vegetable oils

The frozen butter is used for children and diet food Refined oil is widely used in cooking Unrefined oil can only be consumed cold

The extracted oil is converted into refined oil by several stages of purification:

• hydration is a method of removing phospholipids from crude oil, which, during long-term storage and transportation, precipitate and make the oil cloudy;
• alkaline neutralization is used to remove free fatty acids (soaps);
• waxes are removed by freezing;
• physical refining finally removes acids, removes odor and color.

The freezing method is used not only for refined oils.

Vegetable fats obtained by pressing and then purified by freezing are used in baby and diet food.

The best frozen vegetable oils are sunflower and olive. Olive contains monounsaturated fatty acids that do not lose their beneficial properties when heated.

What are the benefits of vegetable oils

The biological value of vegetable oils is determined by their fatty acid composition and the amount of related substances:

1. Saturated fatty acids predominate in butter, sesame, soybean and cottonseed oils. They give the product antiseptic properties, inhibit the growth of fungi and pathogenic microflora, promote the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Some of them are used as an emulsifier in skin care cosmetics and medicinal ointments and creams.
2. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) - oleic, palmitoleic (omega 7). Oleic acid is found in large quantities in olive, grape, rapeseed and rapeseed oils. The main function of MUFA is to stimulate metabolism. They prevent cholesterol from sticking to the walls of blood vessels, normalize the permeability of cell membranes, and have hepatoprotective properties.
3. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) - linoleic (essential PUFA), alpha-linoleic (omega 3) and gamma-linoleic (omega 6). Contained in linseed, sunflower, olive, soybean, rapeseed, corn, mustard, sesame, pumpkin, cedar oil. PUFAs improve the structure of the vascular walls, participate in the synthesis of hormones, and prevent atherosclerosis.
4. Concomitant substances in vegetable oils are vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2 and nicotinic acid (PP). An obligatory component of vegetable fats is phospholipids. Most often they are found in the form of phosphatidylcholine (formerly called lecithin). The substance promotes the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients, normalizes cholesterol metabolism, and prevents the accumulation of fats in the liver.

In Russia, as an edible oil, sunflower and olive oil are the most popular. In addition to them, there are more than a dozen vegetable fats that have excellent taste and beneficial properties.

Table: useful properties of vegetable oils

Name	Benefit
olive	prevents cardiovascular diseases; contains antioxidants; has a laxative effect; promotes healing of ulcerative lesions of the stomach; reduces appetite
Sunflower	prevents the development of atherosclerosis; strengthens blood vessels; stimulates brain activity; normalizes work digestive system; strengthens bones and is used in the treatment of joints
Linen	thins the blood; protects blood vessels; improves the conduction of nerve impulses; has antitumor properties; helps with skin diseases (acne, psoriasis, eczema)
Sesame	increases resistance to viral and infectious diseases; treats cough; strengthens the gums; has antifungal and wound-healing effect
soybean	reduces the risk of myocardial infarction; improves liver function; normalizes the functioning of the nervous system; restores working capacity
Cedar	reduces the consequences of exposure to harmful environmental and production factors; improves immunity; improves eyesight; increases the level of hemoglobin; treats skin diseases; slows down aging; saturates the body with vitamins
mustard	used to treat anemia; useful in obesity and diabetes; normalizes digestion, eliminates constipation; promotes wound healing; improves brain activity
Palm	has a powerful antioxidant effect; useful for people who monitor their weight; lowers cholesterol levels; promotes the reproduction of the visual pigment of the retina

Rating of usefulness of vegetable oils

Nutritionists advise expanding the range of vegetable oils and keeping 4-5 types on the kitchen shelf, alternating their use.

olive

The leader among edible vegetable oils is olive oil. In composition, it competes with sunflower, but it has one indisputable advantage. Olive oil is the only vegetable fat that can be used for frying. Oleic acid - its main component - does not oxidize when heated and does not form harmful substances. Olive oil has fewer vitamins than sunflower oil, but its fat composition is better balanced.

Sunflower

Next to olive oil, the place on the podium is deservedly occupied by unrefined sunflower oil. Nutritionists consider it necessary product in the diet. Sunflower oil is the leader in the content of vitamins, especially tocopherol (one of the most powerful antioxidants).

Linen

Flaxseed oil is the lowest calorie, it is equally useful for women and men. It is recommended for use in breast and prostate cancer, it is good for skin and hair. The oil is taken as medicine, dressed with salads and used externally.

mustard

Mustard oil is a home doctor and a natural preservative. It contains bactericidal esters, which gives it the properties of a natural antibiotic. Products seasoned with mustard oil stay fresh longer. Heating does not deprive the product of useful qualities. Mustard oil baked goods stay fresh longer and do not go stale.

Sesame

Sesame seed oil is the leader in calcium content. It is useful to use it for gout - it removes harmful salts from the joints. Oil dark color use only cold, light is suitable for frying.

Benefits of vegetable oils for women and men

Cedar and mustard oil in the diet of a woman is not only "food" for the mind and beauty. They are good for women's health. Substances in their composition help:

• normalize the balance of hormones, especially in the premenstrual and menopause;
• reduce the risk of infertility;
• prevent the formation of fibroids;
• improve the course of pregnancy;
• increase the number breast milk and improve its quality.

For men, mustard oil will help protect against prostate diseases, increase fertility (the ability to fertilize).

Photo gallery: oils for women's and men's health

Mustard oil normalizes hormonal balance in women Cedar oil improves reproductive function Linseed oil increases potency

Flaxseed oil is another product for maintaining beauty, youth and women's health. Its constant use helps to push back the period of withering thanks to phytoestrogens. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of a woman during pregnancy, improves the condition of blood vessels, preventing the development of varicose veins.

Flaxseed oil is a “male” product that allows you to achieve a stable increase in potency. Improving erection is achieved by a beneficial effect on the elasticity of the vessels of the penis and their blood supply. In addition, flaxseed oil promotes increased testosterone production, improving the male reproductive function. Pine nuts, black cumin, pumpkin and olive oils have a similar effect.

Vegetable oils for children

A child needs vegetable fats no less than adults. They are added to the first complementary foods in vegetable purees. home cooking(it has already been added to vegetable mixtures of industrial production). Start with 1-2 drops of oil per serving. A one-year-old child is given at least 5 g, distributing this amount in daily diet. Oils useful for children:

• sesame is ideal for baby food due to the easily digestible form of calcium;
• cedar is recommended by pediatricians to prevent rickets and iodine deficiency;
• olive has the most balanced composition for baby food;
• unrefined sunflower is rich in vitamins;
• flaxseed contributes to the proper formation of brain tissue;
• mustard - the champion in the content of vitamin D;
• walnut oil has a rich mineral composition, suitable for weakened children and during the recovery period after an illness.

Saturated with fragrances and dyes, children's creams are replaced with vegetable oil.

To care for diaper rash and folds, sunflower oil boiled in a water bath is used. Coconut, corn, peach and almond are allowed to massage babies.

Consumption rates

On average, an adult man needs from 80 to 150 g of fat per day, a woman - 65–100 g. A third of this amount should be vegetable fats (1.5–2 tablespoons), and for older people - 50% of the total consumed fat (2-3 tablespoons). The calculation of the total amount is based on the need for 0.8 g per 1 kg of weight. The daily requirement of the child:

• from 1 to 3 years - 6–9 g;
• from 3 to 8 years - 10–13 g;
• from 8 to 10 years - 15 g;
• over 10 years old - 18–20

One tablespoon is 17 g of vegetable oil.

The use of vegetable oils

In addition to cooking, vegetable oils are used in medicinal, cosmetic purposes and for weight loss.

Treatment and recovery

In order for the oil to benefit health, it is taken on an empty stomach:

• constipation is relieved by any edible vegetable oil taken in the morning (use no more three days contract);
• with gastritis, colitis, biliary stagnation and stomach ulcers, it is recommended to drink 1 teaspoon of oil before meals two to three times a day;
• relieves hemorrhoids by taking one teaspoon of oil 3 times a day an hour before meals.

1. Pumpkin seed oil is taken in a tablespoon before meals three times a day for two weeks.
2. Flaxseed oil is taken orally three times a day for a teaspoon before meals. Another teaspoon can be added to the salad. Additionally, the oil is used in microclysters - a tablespoon of the product is added per 100 ml. An enema is done at night, while it is advisable not to empty the intestines until morning.
3. Castor oil in combination with cognac is considered an effective remedy against helminths. The same amount of cognac is added to the oil heated to body temperature (50–80 g). The time of taking the mixture is morning or evening. Treatment is continued until the feces are cleared of worms.
4. Unrefined olive oil (1/2 liter) is infused for three days in a cool place with 500 g of garlic. Then 300 g of rye flour is mixed in there. The course of treatment - 30 days on a teaspoon three times a day.

Why is it good to rinse your mouth with vegetable oil?

Healing oil rinses were practiced several centuries ago in India. In the last century, doctors recognized this method of cleaning the oral cavity. Pathogenic microbes have a fatty membrane that dissolves upon contact with vegetable oils. In this way, oral cavity is disinfected, inflammation of the gums is reduced and the risk of caries is reduced.

Rinsing is done with sunflower, olive, sesame and linseed oil. To do this, take two teaspoons of the product and roll it in your mouth for 20 minutes. The oil mixes with saliva, increases in volume and becomes thick. Then they spit it out, rinse their mouth with warm water and only then brush their teeth. You need to start the procedure from 5 minutes. Linseed oil is enough to rinse your mouth for 10 minutes.

Rinsing helps not only to preserve the health of teeth and gums, they make breathing easier and relieve sore throats.

Using olive oil in this way, you can cure a sore throat. Coconut oil also whitens teeth.

Video: how to be treated with vegetable oil: grandmother's recipes

Vegetable oils for weight loss

The effect of losing weight with the help of vegetable oils is achieved by gently cleaning the body, saturating it with useful substances and increasing their absorption from other foods. In addition, oils have the ability to reduce appetite. For weight loss, olive, linseed, castor and milk thistle oils are used.

Flaxseed oil is drunk on an empty stomach in a teaspoon. For the first week, its volume is gradually brought to 1 tablespoon. The course is two months. One teaspoon of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach will additionally increase the body's defenses and heal the skin.

Castor oil is good for colon cleansing. You can take it for no more than a week, 1 tablespoon half an hour before breakfast. A week later, the course can be repeated. Milk thistle oil is also taken on an empty stomach, 1 teaspoon, washed down with cold water.

The use of oils in cosmetology

In addition to edible oils, there are many vegetable fats used exclusively in cosmetology. They successfully replace creams, ready-made masks and other skin and hair care products.

Skin care

Avocado, macadamia, grape seed, olive oil restores and moisturizes dry, flaky skin. Corn and cedar oil gives elasticity to aging skin. Jojoba oil nourishes and smoothes the epidermis. They can be used in their pure form or prepare masks based on them.

Nourishing and moisturizing mask for aging skin includes heated cocoa butter (1 tbsp), rosehip and sea buckthorn (1 teaspoon each) and vitamins A and E (4 drops each) added to 1 tbsp. cream spoon. Step-by-step care will help to cheer up tired skin:

• wash your face with water mixed with corn oil (for 1 liter of water - 1 teaspoon);
• make a compress with a weak solution of soda;
• apply cabbage leaf gruel to the skin;
• wash off the cabbage mask with warm water.

Hair care

Oil masks are especially useful for dry and weakened hair. They eliminate dandruff, restore the hair shaft, nourish the scalp and hair follicles. For oily hair, grape seed and almond oil is suitable. Dry hair prefers burdock, coconut and olive oil. From dandruff helps jojoba, burdock, grape seed oil and castor oil.

If you take a tablespoon of linseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach, your hair will become lush and shiny.

Damaged hair is treated with a cottonseed oil mask. It is rubbed into the scalp, hair is wrapped in a towel and kept for an hour. Then the hair is rinsed with warm water. Heated olive oil (2 tablespoons) in combination with 1 tbsp will relieve split ends. a spoonful of vinegar and a chicken egg. The mixture is applied to the ends of the strands and aged for 30 minutes, then washed off with water.

Care for nails, eyelashes and eyebrows

Oils are an excellent care for nail platinum, they prevent delamination, strengthen and make it less brittle:

• to strengthen the nails, prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons of almond oil, 3 drops of bergamot ether and 2 drops of myrrh;
• a mask of olive oil (2 tablespoons), lemon esters (3 drops), eucalyptus (2 drops) and vitamins A and E (2 drops each) will accelerate the growth of the nail plate;
• Jojoba oil (2 tablespoons), eucalyptus ether (2 drops), lemon and rose esters (3 drops each) will add shine to the nails.

For various reasons, eyelashes can fall out, and areas of alopecia appear on the eyebrows. Save the situation three "magic" oils - olive, castor and almond. They will provide nutrition to the hair follicles, enrich the skin with vitamins. Daily massage of the brow arches with one of the oils will make hair growth thicker. Oil is applied to the eyelashes with a thoroughly washed mascara brush.

Herbal oils for massage

For massage, vegetable oils are suitable, which do not thicken when heated and do not leave a greasy film on the body. You can use one oil or prepare a mixture, but no more than 4-5 components. The most useful are those obtained by cold pressing. They are rich in vitamins that are beneficial for the skin.

Oil from flax seeds and wheat germ soothes the skin and heals wounds, carrot oil is suitable for aging skin. Cocoa, jojoba, peach, palm and safflower oils can be used for all skin types.

Contraindications and possible harm

Unrefined vegetable oils are harmful if used for frying. The compounds contained in them are oxidized and turn into carcinogens. The exception is olive oil. Vegetable fats are a high-calorie product, they should not be abused by people with obesity and a tendency to it. Medical contraindications:

• acute pancreatitis;
• cholelithiasis (you can not use the oil in its pure form);
• thrombophlebitis and heart disease (sesame oil is not allowed);
• allergy (peanut butter).

Harm causes oil with improper storage and exceeding the expiration date. Nutritionists advise not to abuse rapeseed and soybean oil, since GMOs can be raw materials.

Video: vegetable oil - the choice of a nutritionist

There is a heated debate around the benefits and harms of vegetable oils. One thing is obvious - they are necessary for our body, but in moderation. And they will benefit only if properly stored and used.

Coconut oil hemp oil Sesame oil Linseed oil Almond oil Sea buckthorn oil Olive oil Sunflower oil Milk thistle oil camelina oil Soybean oil pumpkin seed oil Black cumin oil

The benefits of vegetable oil

Fats play an important role in the life of the body, they are the main structural components of cell membranes, serve as the main source of energy, form a reserve of energy material, and protect internal organs from hypothermia. When the body is dehydrated, adipose tissue serves as an internal source of water.

Natural unrefined vegetable oil of the first cold pressing has unique beneficial properties. All valuable biologically active substances are preserved in cold-pressed vegetable oils: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Vegetable oil is used not only for food and cosmetic purposes, but also for the treatment and prevention of various diseases.

Vegetable oil enriches our diet with valuable unsaturated fatty acids that cannot be synthesized in our body, without which the formation of new cells and the normal functioning of the nervous, immune, reproductive and cardiovascular systems is impossible. Many vegetable oils are rich in tocopherols (vitamin E), natural antioxidants that are involved in the processes of cell renewal and regeneration, heal and rejuvenate the body.

Vegetable oil supplies us with energy, nourishes brain cells, maintains the strength and elasticity of blood vessels, improves blood composition, prevents the formation of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaques, prevents the development of cancer cells, activates smooth muscle fibers and protects the gastric mucosa, stimulates the formation and separation of bile, improves hormonal background, reduces inflammation, cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, relieves constipation, improves skin condition, strengthens teeth, hair and nails.

Of particular value is the polyunsaturated linolenic acid Omega-3, which enters our body with food less and less. Most people's diet consists of saturated fatty acids, which increase blood cholesterol levels. The consumption of linolenic acid has a positive effect on human health. Omega-3 has a beneficial effect on atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity, chronic allergic and inflammatory diseases, in Alzheimer's disease, reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, some cancers, prevents the development of cardiac arrhythmias and dysbacteriosis. Essential linolenic acid is necessary for the growth and proper development of the brain in children, the organ of vision, the gonads, kidneys, skin, hair and nails.

On many websites, there is often information that oils contain many vitamins and minerals, but this is not true, since oil is a fat and main value are unsaturated fatty acids. Do not confuse oil with the crops from which the oil is pressed. The main vitamin found in some oils is vitamin E, other vitamins may be present, but in very small quantities.

Comparative table of vegetable oils on the content of Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and vitamin E per 100 g of oil

Vitamin E	mg	Omega 3	%	Omega 6	%	Omega 9	%
Cedar oil	55	Linseed oil	53.3	grape seed oil	69.6	Sunflower oil	82.6
Sunflower oil	41.08	camelina oil	38	Milk thistle oil	62	Olive oil	71.2
camelina oil	40	hemp oil	21.5	walnut oil	52.9	Almond oil	69.4
Almond oil	39.2	pumpkin seed oil	14	Cedar oil	46.2	Peanut butter	44.8
grape seed oil	28.8	walnut oil	10.4	Black cumin oil	42.7	Sesame oil	39.3
Peanut butter	15.6	Mustard oil	5.8	Sesame oil	41.3	Cocoa oil	32.6
Olive oil	14.35	Soybean oil	5.1	pumpkin seed oil	39	pumpkin seed oil	32
Soybean oil	8.18	Black cumin oil	1	Peanut butter	32	Cedar oil	25.2

Cold pressed vegetable oil

Production of medicinal vegetable oil

Natural vegetable oil is a chemically active substance that interacts with air, light and metal. In the process of such interaction, many useful substances are destroyed in the oil. Ideally, the first cold-pressed oil should not come into contact with metal, immediately after pressing it should be placed in a glass dish and protected from sunlight, otherwise it will become ordinary edible oil.

Press for cold pressing oak oil

How to use vegetable oil

Vegetable oils are high in calories, so any vegetable oil should not be consumed in large quantities. Enough 1-2 tablespoons of oil daily or several times a week.

Most unrefined vegetable oils cannot be used for frying. For frying, use ghee, as well as unrefined sunflower oil.

Why you can fry in cold-pressed sunflower oil

Where did the slogans about not using cold-pressed sunflower oil for frying come from? After all, this is an advertising campaign for refined sunflower oil! And all because it is much cheaper and faster to produce refined oil than unrefined oil. Think about it, before there were no technologies for the production of refined oil, and our grandmothers used natural sunflower oil with a smell. And refined oil is a surrogate in which, after so many stages of processing, nothing useful for the body remains. In addition, it is produced using petroleum products, which are not completely removed during oil refining, and we use them together with oil. Eating refined sunflower oil is bad for your health!

If you want to fry something, then use cold-pressed sunflower oil. The downside is that when heated, many useful substances are lost and some may not like that the products are saturated with the smell of sunflower oil. But it is better to use unrefined oil than refined refined oil that is harmful to health.

Of course, the best oil for frying is ghee. You can also fry in coconut, olive, soy, mustard oils. For example, Italians fry everything in extra virgin olive oil. The main thing is not to heat the oil to 100 ° C. It is enough to heat it up until the first bubbles appear.

The three enemies of all vegetable oils are light, heat and air, which increase the oxidation process, so do not store the oil on the windowsill, near the stove, or in an open bottle.

How to store vegetable oil

The three enemies of all vegetable oils are light, heat and air.

Try to buy vegetable oils in small glass bottles, as after opening and contact with air, the shelf life of the oils decreases. Cold pressed oil is recommended to be used within 1-4 months.

It is good to store the oil in a container made of food steel, since during such storage the oil is protected from light.

Introduce different oils into your diet so that you do not use the same oil for a long time, but stick to a varied diet.

To get the maximum benefit from the use of vegetable oils, it is worth buying unrefined oils obtained by cold pressing. The maximum of natural vitamins and microelements is contained only in cold-pressed oil.

The vitamins listed on the package in refined oil are of synthetic origin; they enrich the oil already purified from impurities.

Most unrefined vegetable oils are not intended for frying. Vegetable oil should be added to ready meals.

How to choose vegetable oil

When buying vegetable oil, read the label carefully.

First of all, when buying vegetable oil, pay attention to the shelf life of the oil - the smaller it is, the more natural the oil is.

Manufacturers often write vociferous statements to advertise their product and get the attention of buyers.

It’s good if the label has the “PCT” icon or the phrase “Technical regulations for oil and fat products”. It is even better if the oil is certified in accordance with the requirements of the international quality standard ISO 9001. This proves that the product has passed the certification procedure and meets safety and quality standards, including the content of pesticides, heavy metals and other environmental indicators. And the phrases “Natural”, “Increased environmental cleanliness”, “Obtained in an environmentally friendly way” and similar expressions do not mean anything. In our country, the law allows such statements to be written on the label.

The phrase “Oil without preservatives and dyes”, which is popular in our time, can be written on the label. Vegetable oils usually do not have artificial colors or preservatives added, as most are water-soluble and do not mix with the oil. Therefore, this phrase applies to all oils and has no meaning. The same applies to B vitamins. They are water-soluble and cannot be contained in pure vegetable fat.

Very often, manufacturers write on the label "Does not contain cholesterol." The fact is that there is no cholesterol in any vegetable oil, since this substance is synthesized only in the body of animals and humans. So this is another publicity stunt. Plant oils contain phytosterols.

It is often written on refined oil that it contains fat-soluble vitamins A or E. This is a pure lie, since there are no natural fat-soluble vitamins in refined oil - they, like most other useful substances, are removed during the refining process.

• The sediment formed during storage of cold-pressed oil is not harmful to health and consists of minerals and phospholipids useful for the body.
• Rancid-tasting vegetable oils are not suitable for human consumption, except for some naturally bitter oils such as olive or linseed. Oils that have undergone oxidation contain toxic compounds that can cause numerous diseases.
• Do not use in food oils that have expired.
• Since salt does not dissolve in vegetable oil, before filling with oil a salad of fresh vegetables and herbs, the dish is first salted, waiting for the vegetables to give juice, and only then poured with oil.

Contraindications

Despite the many beneficial properties of vegetable oils, people with:

• stones in the biliary tract and gallbladder, as oils can cause the stones to move and block the ducts;
• violations of the separation of bile;
• recent removal of the gallbladder;
• diarrhea of ​​any origin, as oils have a laxative effect;
• hepatocellular insufficiency observed in cirrhosis and hepatitis.

Nevertheless, even in these cases, you should not completely eliminate vegetable oil from the diet, you should only limit its daily consumption. A complete rejection of oils can cause serious hormonal disorders, disorders of the nervous system, hypovitaminosis and other malfunctions in the body.

M many vegetable oils have remarkable beneficial properties and are an indispensable element of a balanced diet. Moreover, each of them has its own distinctive useful features that other oils do not have. Therefore, it is recommended to eat several types of healthy oils.

Exist different kinds oils according to feedstock, technological processes of production and consistency.

1. unrefined - passed only mechanical cleaning. With this method, the beneficial properties of vegetable oils are preserved to the maximum, they acquire the taste and smell characteristic of the product from which they are obtained, and may have a sediment. This is the most useful vegetable oil;
2. hydrated - Cleaned with hot water spray. It is with a less pronounced odor, without sediment and not cloudy;
3. refined - neutralized with alkali after mechanical cleaning. Such a product is transparent, with a weak taste and smell;
4. Deodorized - cleaned with hot steam under vacuum. This product is almost odorless, tasteless and colorless.

Oil extraction methods:

• cold pressing - such oils have the greatest benefit for the body;
• hot pressing - the raw material is heated before pressing, so that the oil contained in it is more liquid and subject to extraction in a larger volume;
• extractionI- the raw material is treated with a solvent that extracts the oil. The solvent is further removed, but some small part of it may remain in the final product, which may be harmful to the body.

Vegetable oils usually consist of a combination of fatty acids from all three categories. Depending on which fatty acids predominate in a given type of oil, we classify it into one category or another.

1. Solid, consisting of saturated fatty acids: coconut, cocoa butter, palm.
2. Liquid, consisting of unsaturated fatty acids:

• with monounsaturated acids in the composition (olive, peanut, avocado oil);
• with polyunsaturated fatty acids (sunflower, sesame, soybean, rapeseed, corn, cottonseed, etc.).

If you choose it in the store, it is worth remembering that the most useful will be unrefined. Which unrefined vegetable oil is better? Cold pressed. It is in such a product that has not undergone thermal and chemical treatment that vitamins and biologically active substances are better preserved.

Any vegetable oil is subject to oxidation in the light, so it must be stored in a dark place. The optimum storage temperature is from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius without sudden temperature changes. Unrefined oils should be stored in the refrigerator. It is better to use a glass storage container with a narrow neck, but not a metal one.

The shelf life of vegetable oil can be long - up to 2 years, provided that the temperature is observed and there is no light. An open bottle should be used within a month.

Consider the types of vegetable oils according to the feedstock, their use and benefits for the body.

Everyone knows about the benefits of vegetable oils. But not everyone knows about the unique properties of each of them.

SESAME OIL

Sesame oil is obtained from raw or roasted sesame seeds by cold pressing. Unrefined oil made from toasted sesame seeds is dark brown in color with a rich sweet nutty taste and strong smell. No less useful is the oil obtained from raw sesame seeds - it is light yellow in color and has a less pronounced taste and smell.

Light in texture and sweet in taste, sesame oil is rich in vitamins, zinc and especially calcium. Therefore, it is successfully used for the prevention of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Sesame oil, also known as "Sesame", was very popular in ancient times and has always been valued for its healing, gastronomic and cosmetic properties. In the canons of medical science "Abu-Ali-Ibn Sino (Avicenna) gives about a hundred recipes based on sesame oil. It was also widely used and is still used in Ayurvedic recipes. Finally, everyone knows about the widespread use of this oil in folk medicine.

Sesame oil is a valuable food and excellent medicinal product:

• effective for various pulmonary diseases, shortness of breath, asthma, dry cough;
• recommended for patients with diabetes;
• increases the number of platelets and improves blood clotting;
• with obesity promotes weight loss and strengthens the body;
• in the treatment of increased acidity of gastric juice;
• prevents the formation of blood clots, opens blockages;
• helps with gastrointestinal colic, nephritis and pyelonephritis, kidney stones;
• used for anemia, internal bleeding, hyperthyroidism;
• used as an anthelmintic.

It should be noted that unrefined sesame oil is not suitable for frying, and it is recommended to add it to hot dishes only before serving, preferably in a cooled dish. When heated, most of the beneficial substances that make up this oil are destroyed.

LINSEED OIL

This vegetable oil is considered feminine, as it helps the production of its own estrogen. It is also a strong antioxidant.

Flaxseed oil was known for its beneficial properties in ancient Russia. It was consumed internally and was also used externally for skin and hair care.

It must be present in the diet of pregnant women: linseed oil contains the most a large number of Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (than in all known fish oils) necessary for the proper development of the child's brain. It is also reliably known that the use of flaxseed oil in food reduces the risk of stroke by 40%.

Flaxseed oil also contains a large amount of vitamin E, which is a vitamin of youth and longevity, as well as vitamin F, which prevents deposits of "bad" cholesterol in the arteries, is responsible for the good condition of hair and skin. Vitamin F promotes weight loss by burning saturated fat. Vitamin F in flaxseed oil interacts easily with vitamin E.

Flaxseed oil also contains vitamins necessary for our body, such as vitamin A, which rejuvenates our skin cells, making it more even, smooth and velvety, and promotes hair growth, as well as B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on nail growth, skin health and balance of the nervous system.

If you take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil in the morning on an empty stomach, your hair will become more lush and shiny, and your skin color will be more even.

You can also make hair masks from linseed oil. To do this, the oil warmed in a water bath should be applied to dry hair, covered with a film and a heated towel, left for three hours, then washed off in the usual way. This mask makes dry hair less brittle, promotes hair growth and shine.

When eating linseed oil, it should be borne in mind that this product should be consumed without heat treatment, since when exposed to high temperatures it deteriorates: an unpleasant odor and a dark color appear. Therefore, it is best to fill salads with linseed oil or use it in its pure form.

When buying linseed oil, do not forget that you need to store it in the refrigerator, in a dark bottle, and its shelf life is limited.

MUSTARD OIL

Mustard oil several centuries ago could only be tasted at the royal court, in those days it was called the "imperial delicacy". Mustard oil contains absolutely all fat-soluble vitamins, it has a specific aroma and spicy taste, it is perfect for dressing salads, it emphasizes the taste of vegetables. In addition, salads with such a dressing retain freshness longer. Any pastry, which contains this product, turns out to be lush and does not get stale for a long time.

In terms of its dietary and gastronomic properties, it is significantly superior to our popular sunflower: only one vitamin D "imperial delicacy" contains one and a half times more. It contains a lot of vitamin A, which promotes the growth of the body and enhances immunity, vitamins K and P, which improve the strength and elasticity of capillaries, the general strengthening substance carotene. In addition, mustard oil contains vitamin B6, which plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism and the processes of synthesis and breakdown of amino acids in the body.

Many naturopathic nutritionists consider the "imperial delicacy" a ready-made remedy. Due to its antiseptic and bactericidal properties, this vegetable oil is perfect for the treatment of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and colds. Some doctors recommend that their patients drink a tablespoon of mustard oil every morning on an empty stomach as a prophylactic.

CORN OIL

Corn oil is the most useful of the oils available and familiar to us. Especially good corn oil is suitable for frying and stewing, because it does not form carcinogens, does not foam and does not burn. Due to its beneficial properties, corn oil is widely used in the production of dietary products and baby food.

The main factors that determine the dietary properties of corn oil are its high content of unsaturated fatty acids (vitamin F) and vitamin E.

A large amount of vitamin E in corn oil helps to strengthen the human immune system. This vitamin is also called the "vitamin of youth", since it is an antioxidant and slows down the aging process in the body, affects metabolic processes, cholesterol levels in the blood, improves the functioning of the liver, intestines, and gallbladder. Vitamin E in corn oil is indispensable in the treatment of "female" and nervous diseases.

Unsaturated fatty acids contained in corn oil increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases and favor the removal of excess cholesterol from the body. Unrefined corn oil has long been used in folk medicine to treat migraines, the common cold, and asthma.

OLIVE OIL

The great Homer called olive oil "liquid gold". Olive oil has been used since Ancient Egypt. The olive has been a symbol of peace and purity, and has always been valued for its many health benefits.

Olive oil is considered the healthiest of all vegetable oils. It normalizes blood pressure, improves the functioning of the heart and digestive organs. There is evidence that with regular use of olive oil, the risk of breast cancer is several times reduced. When applied externally, it has disinfecting and rejuvenating properties.

Extra virgin olive oil is the best. It is best to add it to salads as a dressing. In such olive oil, the acidity usually does not exceed 1%, and it is believed that the lower the acidity of the oil, the higher its quality. Even more valuable is olive oil "cold pressed" (first cold press), although this concept is rather arbitrary - the oil is heated to one degree or another even during "cold pressing".

Olive oil is one of the best oils for frying. it retains its structure at high temperatures and does not burn

(due to the low content of unsaturated fatty acids). Therefore, lovers of a healthy diet can safely use it to prepare all kinds of dishes - warm up, sauté, fry - and at the same time enjoy a pleasant natural aroma.

But remember that dishes cooked with a crispy crust are no longer healthy. In addition to frying, there are other methods of heat treatment, such as stewing, baking or steaming. They are more suitable for a healthy lifestyle.

The taste of olive oil deteriorates over time, so it is recommended to consume the entire supply of the product during the year.

PUMPKIN OIL

This oil contains a large amount of biologically active substances: phospholipids, vitamins B1, B2, C, P, flavonoids, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids - linolenic, oleic, linoleic, palmetic, stearic. Pumpkin seed oil has an amazing smell.

Per healing properties pumpkin seed oil is popularly called "Pharmacy in miniature".

Pumpkin seed oil is most often used as a salad dressing. It is not recommended to heat it: in this case, it loses a significant part of its useful properties. Store pumpkin seed oil in a tightly stoppered bottle in a dark, cool place.

CEDAR OIL

Oil from Siberian cedar- a natural product, which is a natural concentrate of vitamin E, and contains a large amount of polyunsaturated acids that are not synthesized in the body, but can only come from food.

From traditional medicine it is known that cedar oil:

• has a general strengthening effect
• contributes to the elimination of chronic fatigue syndrome
• increases the mental and physical capabilities of the human body
• restores the strength of the body

Siberian cedar oil in the old days was called a remedy for 100 diseases. Its healing properties are recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine. The results of the tests carried out indicate the high efficiency of cedar oil in complex therapy in the treatment of the following diseases:

1. pancreatitis, cholestitis;
2. varicose veins, trophic ulcers;
3. peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach;
4. superficial gastritis;
5. prevents baldness, brittle hair, nails;
6. improves blood composition, increases hemoglobin;
7. regulates lipid metabolism, i.e. lowers blood cholesterol levels
8. effective for various skin diseases, burns and frostbite.

Cedar oil has always been considered a delicacy. It is easily absorbed by the body, has high nutritional and healing properties, and is unusually rich in vitamins and microelements. Pine nut oil contains a wide range of substances useful for the human body: polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, vitamins A, B, E, D, F, 14 amino acids, 19 trace elements.

The use of Siberian cedar oil for massage in a bath or sauna gives the effect of skin rejuvenation, makes it firm and elastic, and also ensures the prevention of skin diseases.

COCONUT OIL

This oil of tropical origin has a unique chemical composition. Mined Coconut oil from edible coconut meat.

• strengthens the immune system and protects the body from viruses and bacteria. It also reduces the ability of viruses to adapt to antibiotics!
• helps get rid of excess weight, because it speeds up metabolism without turning into fat reserves. It is not deposited in the human body as fat, unlike many other oils.
• normalizes metabolism and thyroid function.
• reduces cholesterol levels, cleanses blood vessels and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (unlike saturated fats of animal origin). Scientific studies have shown that the lauric acid in coconut oil helps keep cholesterol levels in the normal range.
• improves digestion and promotes bowel cleansing.
• reduces the risk of cancer.
• contains 10 types of fatty acids medium length carbon chain. Each of them is a nutrient in itself, and also improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods.
• contains many antioxidants and is the best oil for maintaining and restoring health and youth.

Coconut oil has a completely unique beneficial property: during heat treatment, it does not emit any carcinogens harmful to the human body, which distinguishes it from other oils and makes it indispensable for cooking various dishes.

All of the above benefits of coconut oil apply to its ingestion: coconut oil is great for sweet dishes and pastries, it can be added to cereals, vegetable dishes, salads and drinks.

In addition, the beneficial properties of coconut oil can be used for cosmetic purposes:

• applied along the length of the hair, restores their structure, eliminates brittleness and split ends, moisturizes excessively dry hair, gives them volume and strength. Only unrefined (most useful) coconut oil should not be rubbed into the scalp - it can cause irritation.
• can be used as part of masks and face creams, or you can simply lubricate the skin with it. It helps to get rid of acne, pimples and various skin rashes. It perfectly moisturizes dry skin, eliminates flaky spots, makes the skin soft and tender to the touch.
• considered one of the best massage tools, it perfectly warms the skin and improves blood circulation.

PEANUT BUTTER

Due to the high content of easily digestible vegetable proteins and fats, peanut butter is a valuable dietary product and has long been successfully used as a component of vegetarian nutrition.

Peanut butter is obtained from the fruit of the peanut, also called peanuts. The most useful is unrefined peanut butter, obtained by cold pressing, and not subjected to any chemical processing. It has a red-brown hue and has a rich peanut flavor. Unrefined peanut oil is not recommended for frying, as toxic compounds are formed in it when heated.

In contrast, refined and deodorized peanut butter has a milder taste, aroma, and light yellow hue. Losing some useful properties due to processing, it becomes more resistant to high temperatures, so it is more suitable for frying. At the same time, peanut oil is required 2-3 times less than refined sunflower oil. Still, peanut butter is not the healthiest for frying. Ideally tolerates high temperatures and retains the beneficial properties of only coconut oil.

Peanut butter is also often referred to as a paste made by grinding peanuts. Pasta differs in consistency and composition from butter, but it is also a healthy and nutritious product, especially if you cook it yourself.

Peanut oil is widely used in medicine:

• in the treatment of purulent and poorly healing wounds, he has no equal;
• improves memory, attention and hearing;
• reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood;
• renders healing action with diseases of the cardiovascular system and disorders of hematopoietic functions;
• normalizes the work of the kidneys and gallbladder, one of the best choleretic agents;
• prevents the formation of blood clots;
• has a calming effect on nervous system;
• recommended for people suffering from overweight, gastrointestinal problems, liver and kidney diseases.

WALNUT OIL

Walnut oil is a highly nutritious product with valuable taste qualities:

• it is an excellent nutritional product during the recovery period after illnesses and operations;
• promotes the healing of wounds, cracks, long-term non-healing ulcers;
• effective in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis, varicose veins;
• an excellent tool for weight loss and rejuvenation of the body;
• lowers the production of cholesterol, strengthens the vascular wall;
• reduces the risk of cardiac diseases;
• promotes the removal of radionuclides from the body;
• record vitamin E content
• strongly tones and increases the body's defenses;
• great tool for weight loss.

SEA BUCKTHORN OIL

It is a unique healing oil, known in ancient times.

Sea buckthorn oil has gained its fame due to its extraordinary healing properties. The unique properties of this oil are widely used both in folk and traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases.

This oil has a natural taste and aroma. For prevention, it is recommended to add it to salads in combination with any other vegetable oils. Also, sea buckthorn oil can be used to prepare any dishes, giving them an unusual taste and increasing their nutritional value.

Little sea buckthorn is a product with a high content of carotenoids, vitamins: E, F, A, K, D and biologically active substances. Used as a source of beta-carotene.

Sea buckthorn oil has proven to be excellent in the treatment of:

• inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract (used in the complex therapy of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum);
• gynecological diseases: cervical erosion, colpitis, vaginitis, endocervicitis;
• burns, radiation and ulcerative skin lesions, bedsores, stomach ulcers, radiation cancer of the esophagus;
• chronic diseases upper respiratory tract: pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis;
• ulcers of the cornea of ​​the eye;
• pathological processes of the rectum;
• inflammatory diseases of the gums and periodontal disease;
• atherosclerosis;
• scaly and pityriasis versicolor and neurodermatitis;
• for rapid healing of wounds, abrasions and other skin lesions. Wherein, characteristic feature sea ​​buckthorn oil, is a high quality of healing: the absence of any scars and scars at the site of the lesion;
• to restore the skin after sun and radiation burns, accelerate the formation of tissues;
• against wrinkles, with freckles and age spots, with acne, dermatitis and skin cracks;
• improves eyesight;
• prevents the formation of blood clots.

HEMP OIL

Since ancient times, hemp seed has been used as a nutritious and healthy food (in the Slavic tradition - hemp cakes). Also, the ancient Slavic peoples made and ate delicious and very popular hemp oil in those days, which has many, almost forgotten today, very useful properties. This oil is an excellent alternative to olive, nut and butter oils.

By chemical composition, hemp oil is closer to linseed oil than others, but unlike it, this delicious oil has a subtle nutty spicy flavor. Hemp oil, along with linseed oil and green leafy vegetables, is one of the few food products that contain an inactive form of polyunsaturated fatty acid, OMEGA-3, that our body needs.

It is used as a high-quality oil for dressing salads and other cold and hot dishes. vegetable dishes, in marinades and sauces. It is also used in the preparation of soups. Hemp oil is completely absorbed by the body in its raw form.

AVOCADO OIL

Avocado oil has gained popularity relatively recently. 80% of its fatty acids are oleic acid (Omega-9). It is thick in texture, has a mild nutty aroma and a pleasant taste with a nutty tinge.

Avocado oil is not suitable for frying, it should only be added to ready-made dishes.

• contains a whole set of useful fatty acids (in descending order): oleic, palmitic, linoleic, palmitoleic, linolenic acids, stearic. These healthy fats regulate cholesterol and fat metabolism, participate in the reproduction of cells, remove toxins, heavy metals, radionuclides from the body and contribute to the normalization of blood circulation.
• extremely rich in vitamins and minerals, which are perfectly absorbed by the body;
• has restorative and regenerating properties, to which it owes a high content of useful fatty acids;
• also has antioxidant properties, thanks to vitamins A and B;
• helps to normalize blood pressure, improves vascular elasticity and reduces blood viscosity;
• effectively lowers blood cholesterol levels, thereby helping to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases;
• good for joints. Its regular use is a good prevention of articular rheumatism and gout.
• For skin and hair, avocado oil is simply irreplaceable: it has a high biological activity due to the content of unsaponifiable fats. Effectively moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin and hair. It is especially useful when problematic skin(with dryness and peeling, neurodermatitis, dermatosis, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea);
• has bactericidal and wound healing properties. It is used for burns, frostbite and ulcers.

SUNFLOWER OIL

This is a very rare case when humanity knows exactly the name of the person who created the product, without which it is difficult to imagine the existence of billions of people today. It happened in Russia, in 1829, in the village of Alekseevka, on the territory of the present Belgorod region. The serf peasant Daniil Bokarev discovered in sunflower seeds a high content of an oily liquid useful for nutrition. He was the first to extract from this amber-colored seed the product that we today call sunflower oil.

Of vegetable oils, sunflower is the most popular in our country. And in terms of consumption, perhaps, it is ahead of cream. This is not surprising. It is sunflower - the raw material for production - that is easily grown in many climatic zones in almost all regions of our country, and the production of oil from it is a well-established and well-established process.

But at the same time, sunflower oil is a unique product that has a specific composition and has a certain effect on the body.

Unrefined oil is considered the most useful, because it retains all the beneficial substances of sunflower seeds. Unrefined sunflower oil is produced by cold and hot methods. In the first method, the crushed raw materials are mechanically pressed, the oil is filtered and no further processing is performed. Such a product is considered the most useful, however, its shelf life is very short. The oil has a dark saturated color, a characteristic aroma, sediment is allowed.

The second way to produce unrefined sunflower oil is hot pressing. Before pressing, sunflower seeds are heated, after pressing, physical methods of oil purification (settling, filtration, centrifugation) can be used, but no chemicals are used. The oil becomes more transparent, but this practically does not affect its taste and useful properties. Unrefined sunflower oil cannot be used for frying; during heat treatment, it loses all its beneficial properties and becomes harmful to the body.

The amount of nutrients contained in sunflower oil may vary depending on the place and conditions of sunflower growth and the method of processing. But in any case, this product is rich in vitamins E (it is the most in this oil), A, D, F, group B, trace elements, inulin, tannins, as well as fatty acids, most of which are unsaturated fatty acids. This vegetable oil cannot be singled out in any way; in terms of the number of useful substances, it is inferior to many others, although it also contains many of these substances. But the low price makes it one of the most affordable lean foods undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health. Sunflower oil has a complex beneficial effect on the entire body (recall that we are talking about unrefined oil). A complex of unsaturated fatty acids, united by one term - vitamin F (it is not synthesized in the human body), is necessary for the body for normal fat metabolism. With the intake of a sufficient amount of this vitamin, lipid metabolism is established, the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood decreases, fat metabolism improves, thanks to which sunflower oil helps in the fight against excess weight. Sunflower oil has a slight laxative effect, improves digestion, stimulates the liver and biliary system, i.e. helps to establish the process of natural cleansing of the body. Good job digestive system has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism and is reflected in the appearance.

Sunflower oil will not do harm if it is not abused. It is enough to add 2-3 tablespoons of unrefined oil to cold dishes to benefit the body.

Refined oil obtained by extraction: take the seeds and fill them with hexane. Hexane is an organic solvent similar to gasoline. After oil is released from the seeds, hexane is removed with water vapor, and what remains is with alkali. Then obtained, it is processed with water vapor under vacuum to bleach and deodorize the product. And then THIS is bottled and proudly called oil.

Why is this vegetable oil harmful? Yes, because no matter how you process it, the remnants of gasoline and other chemicals are still contained in the oil. Naturally, there are no vitamins and other benefits in this oil.

It is worth recalling how harmful repeated heating of the same portion of oil is. Be sure to wash the pan after each frying! It is also important that after some oil processing processes, foreign chemicals remain in it. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it for making salads.

In this article, we will talk about the unique properties of base oils. competes with the most expensive and elite creams, yielding to them only in price :) . In addition, 100% natural oils do not contain preservatives, fragrances and other poisonous ballast components.

Vegetable oils are divided into base and essential.

base oils according to biochemical parameters similar to skin, which allows them to penetrate to the deep layers of the epidermis and deliver healing substances there. Therefore, they are also called base oils, transport or carrier oils.

They can be used as a cosmetic product on their own, and as a base for mixing with essential oils and other ingredients.

Buying base oils pay attention to composition, it should not contain synthetic impurities, dyes, preservatives.

For the production of 100% pure vegetable oils, the cold pressing method is used and subsequent high-quality filtration without the use of high temperatures. This method preserves all the valuable properties of the oil and extends its shelf life.

Base oils have unique regenerating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties due to their composition: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, macro- and microelements, vitamins, phytosterols, phospholipids.

Well absorbed by the body, oils are involved in chemical processes and are a natural stimulator of the most important biochemical and physiological processes:

• accelerate cellular metabolism;
• improve skin nutrition;
• promote the synthesis of fibrinogen and collagen;
• improve the circulation of lymph and blood;
• increase skin tone;
• effectively cleanse the skin while nourishing it;
• normalize the secretion of the sebaceous glands.

Fatty acid

The unique healing properties of many oils are due to the presence of fatty acids in their composition, which are divided into saturated and unsaturated.

With a high content of saturated acids, oils will be solid even at room temperature. The lower the acid content, the softer the oil.

Fatty unsaturated acids are of great value for the body: they are actively involved in metabolic processes, in the synthesis of prostaglandins, which regulate the production of hormones necessary for the body. The higher the content of unsaturated acids in the composition of the oil, the more liquid it is.

Oleic monounsaturated fatty acid, which is responsible for the construction of biological membranes in the human body, has especially valuable properties. Oils containing it in large quantities are easily absorbed and absorbed by the skin. Olive oil is richest in oleic acid (up to 85%).

Many unsaturated acids are not synthesized by our body and can only come from food or through the skin. They are called essential fatty acids (omega 6 and omega 3) They are vital for the health of the skin and the body as a whole. These include linoleic, linolenic, gamma-linolenic acids, as well as their derivatives.

Deficiency of essential acids leads to:

• damage to the skin barrier, as a result, microorganisms, allergens, harmful substances easily penetrate into it, inflammatory reactions, skin diseases occur;
• to transepidermal moisture loss;
• to chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes;
• to deterioration of the brain.

Signs of an essential acid deficiency: peeling of the skin, a feeling of dryness, increased irritability and sensitivity skin, itching, redness.

To permanently eliminate these unpleasant symptoms it is necessary to introduce natural fats and oils containing essential fatty acids into the diet and skin care.

The best sources of essential fatty acids oils of borage (borage), blackcurrant, aspen (evening primrose) are considered. Gamma linolenic acid found in these oils

• stops,
• normalizes hormone levels, reduces oily skin,
• inhibits the formation of melanin, brightens the skin.

Useful for internal use:

• linseed oil (the necessary daily balance of essential fatty acids is contained in one or two tablespoons). Before using the oil, be sure to read the contraindications!
• Fish oil (salmon, mackerel, salmon, sardines, eel and so on),
• pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, soybeans, wheat germ, nuts.

So, let's summarize and list

oils to watch out for if you are deficient in essential fatty acids

Liquid oils:

In the following publications:

• what oils are suitable for .

Check out beauty recipes!

Hello dear friends!

Here is my promised study that will help you competently compose oil mixtures for cosmetic purposes. The article presents tables of the fatty acid composition of vegetable oils, their main properties and stability, strategies for compiling oil compositions. Our main task is the combination of natural products, taking into account the incoming ingredients and their stability to oxidation.

The biochemical composition and quality of liquid and solid vegetable oils depends on several factors that are worth dwelling on. In the summary tables you will see that the content of acids in the same product varies over a very wide range. What does it depend on?

Factors influencing the chemical composition of vegetable oils

• The main factor of influence is vegetable raw materials.

The biochemical composition of plant materials depends on the conditions in which the plant develops and grows. Ideal Conditions: optimal climatic zone and its ecological cleanliness.

First, many plants grow in several climatic zones. There is such a relationship: the more north oil-containing plants grow, the more they contain oils with a predominant content of Omega fatty acids. And the percentage of saturated acids is reduced. And, accordingly, the further south the area of ​​plant growth, the more saturated fatty acids they contain. What an addiction!

Secondly, humidity. There are dry seasons or vice versa, too wet, and this affects the fatty acid composition of oils, especially obtained from seeds.

In addition to the habitat, the methods of caring for plants and collecting raw materials are important. Both the period of its storage and the distance from the manufacturer (optimal conditions of transportation) are important.

• The second factor of influence is the ways of obtaining the final product.

We should be interested in unrefined, cold-pressed products, followed by physical filtration. And EVERYTHING! These oils are the most cosmetic and the most organic!

Extraction methods:

— Press

– Extraction

Oils extracted from plants by simple squeezing, the most expensive and useful. Their rather significant cost is due to the fact that pressing does not allow ALL the oil to be extracted from the raw material. This is unprofitable for the manufacturer, especially if the raw material quickly deteriorates or is delivered from remote regions of growth. Therefore, the waste (“mint”) after pressing is subjected to extraction, which allows you to more efficiently dispose of oil-containing raw materials. The extraction product is cheaper, but it also loses its chemical composition.

My advice:

When buying oils, ask for a certificate of origin. The management of the store, respecting its business and appreciating its customers, will provide certificates of conformity with the declared quality of the goods. If they do not, then they are doomed to the collapse of their business. "Word of mouth" works seven days a week!

My son works at a private oil churn and even there they do a chemical analysis of each batch of butter obtained. The certificate must have any oil supplied to consumers. We just need to look at its electronic version, right? As a rule, oils from seeds and fruits of exotic heat-loving plants come to us from abroad and must have a certificate that allows them to be sold on our domestic market.

Having considered briefly the factors influencing the biochemical composition of oils, we will now consider the main indicators that must be taken into account when choosing an oil or composing their mixtures.

The main strategies for choosing vegetable oils in home cosmetology

When combining or choosing oils for cleansing and nourishing the skin, one should take into account not only their composition and properties, but also resistance to oxidation from oxygen and ultraviolet radiation. Vegetable oils are classified:

• according to the content of essential fatty acids;
• stability (resistance to oxidation).

These two indicators must be taken into account when choosing an oil and in oil combinations.

Groups of oils, their durability and basic properties in cosmetology

I will repeat a little the main features of the fatty acids that are included in oils when used in skin care so that you do not constantly look into. But already taking into account their resistance to oxidation .

Group I - stabilizing oils.

By adding stabilizing oils to oil compositions, we increase their resistance to oxygen and light. The percentage of input is up to 50%. One of the most versatile stabilizing oils is. Other products: meadowfoam, marula, broccoli and a number of others. Stabilizing oils behave very well under ultraviolet radiation.

Scientific studies have confirmed that stabilizing oils are made by such fatty acids: erucic and gadoleic. In the table you will also find a fairly large number of stable oils that do not contain these acids. This means that these oils are rich in antioxidants that inhibit oxidative processes.

Most butters are also stable oils, but the presence of lauric and stearic acids in them can cause blockage of the sebaceous glands and the appearance of comedones. Therefore, it is rational to limit their input to 10-20%.

Group II - oils with a maximum acid contentω-3, the main ones are α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic.

ω-3– it is always an active anti-aging agent! Oils with α-linolenic polyunsaturated acid have excellent regenerating properties - they restore firmness and elasticity to the skin, stimulate the working functionality of dermal cells, fight allergies.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are unstable and rapidly oxidize when exposed to air and light. Therefore, the percentage of their input into oil mixtures should not exceed 10%! Do not use neat!

Group III - oils with a maximum content of acids ω-6, the main of which are linoleic, γ-linolenic, eicosadiene. These fatty acids are ideal moisturizers. Linoleic acid is part of ceramides, which restore moisture in lipids, thereby strengthening the lipid layer of the epidermis. The use of oils with Omega-6 can qualitatively solve the problem of early skin aging, moreover, they are most often perfectly absorbed.

Oils with a high percentage of polyunsaturated linoleic acid are also not resistant to either oxygen or ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, they should only be used in mixtures.

Group IV - oils with a maximum content of monounsaturated acids ω-9, the main of which are oleic, gadoleic, gondoic and erucic.

These oils are characterized by excellent absorption into the deep layers of the dermis and therefore are called transport oils. They smooth wrinkles, moisturize well and are quite stable. Can be used both in mixtures and pure. Suitable for sun exposure.

Group V - oils with a balanced chemical composition, i.e. approximately equal ratio of mono- and polyunsaturated acids.

The oils of this group are self-sufficient. Does not need to be mixed if oxidation resistance permits. In my table, you can independently choose the oils for your purposes.

Oils of II, III, IV and V groups in total should make up approximately 50-70% of caring oils. The rest - to give the oil mixture stability and consistency.

GroupVI - semi-solid and solid oils. They are also called batters. These vegetable products contain saturated lauric and stearic acids, which make these oils hard.

Batters are natural emulsifiers and emollients. As a rule, they are especially good for dry, dehydrated skin or for healing and healthy hair. When added to liquid oil blends, butters impart to them appearance cream.

Why is the stability of vegetable oils so important?

Immediately after production, oxidative chemical reactions begin in the oils - the oils begin to go rancid. The rate of rancidity depends, of course, not only on the ratio of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, but also on other active components that complement their complex, for example, tocopherols.

Scientific studies have proven that oxidative processes in oils can provoke similar processes in the lipid layer of the epidermis. This process will entail an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. The chain reaction of oxidation leads to premature aging of all skin structures.

Yes, it sounds scary! But if you follow the competent combination and enrichment of oils, then this can be avoided!

Oil Blending Strategies

Oil mixtures are made for 2 purposes: cleansing and nourishing.

• Cleansing mixtures include oils with antibacterial and antiviral properties or universal ones, for example, apricot. We choose a product from the group of oils with a balanced composition of fatty acids.
• Nourishing oil balms should contain nourishing, moisturizing, and anti-aging oils.

How to mix

1. We choose products from groups III-V. This will be the base composition - approximately 50-60% of the total volume of the mixture.
2. We add a stabilizing oil to the base composition - at least 20%.
3. We heat the resulting mixture to 40-50 degrees and melt the solid butter in it (if desired). Butter is enough 20%.

At this point, I would like to remind you that myristic acid may be comedogenic, especially dangerous for large-pored skin. Therefore, I recommend using oils such as coconut, murumuru, for hair, or not to exceed their content in the face balm for more than 10%.

Oils with saturated lauric and myristic acids are great for prolonged exposure to the sun - they remain stable under ultraviolet light. But this does not mean that they protect against it! This should be remembered.

But oils with stearic and palmitic acids ideal as emulsifiers. By adding them to liquid oils, we get a creamy consistency of the oil mixture.

1. When the mixture cools down, you can already add assets. Assets are oils from group II . They are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which is an effective anti-aging agent. Their content should not exceed 10%.
2. Enrich vegetable oils with essential oils. I have on the site. Remember that esters should be added to a composition already cooled to 25-30 degrees.
3. Pour the oil composition into a dark glass or plastic bottle and store in the refrigerator or in a cabinet in the bathroom or dressing table. Avoid exposing your balm to light.

If you have prepared a creamy composition, then pour it into a cream jar and collect your cream with a cosmetic spatula so that bacteria do not get inside. Store this composition in the refrigerator.

My advice:

For the best preservation of the properties of the oils, do not prepare a mixture with a total volume of more than 30 ml. And do not buy oils with a container volume of more than 30 ml. In large volumes, it is justified to buy only oils that are stable to oxidation.

Chemical composition and properties of vegetable oils, table

The table includes all the oils that I found on the Web - their biochemical composition and properties for cosmetic use.

Note:

If you did not find any oil, then write to me in the comments and I will find the information and complete the table. Thank you in advance!

I hope that my table of the chemical composition of vegetable oils and their properties will guide you in your choice. The fatty acid composition of oils is, of course, important, but it is also important to combine them correctly, right?

Wish you a happy Spring Update!