Vegetable oils for everyday use 🆙

Vegetable oil is one of the most versatile substances known to mankind. Their benefits are so many and so diverse that they are used in cooking, in the biofuel industry, in cosmetics and in the manufacture of beauty products. In addition to all these uses, vegetable oils are very beneficial for our health and for the beauty of our hair and skin.

What are vegetable oils?

Vegetable oils are nothing more than fats extracted from plants, roots, branches, leaves and seeds. These oils are formed by a substance called triglycerol, which is the union of three fatty acids to a glycerol molecule. Because of their chemical nature (they are nonpolar), they are not soluble in water but are soluble in organic solvents.

What is vegetable oil used for?

The benefits of vegetable oils are many and depend on the type of oil. Its advantages include skin and hair rejuvenation, balance of cholesterol levels, anti-inflammatory effect and so on. At the end of this article, we have prepared a list of various vegetable oils and their benefits, so that you can understand the particularities of each one and select the one that best meets your needs.

How to use vegetable oil?

The use of the oil also depends on what the oil is and its benefits. Some of them should be included in the diet, while others should be spread in the locks of hair or on the face. As the application of each one is very individual and related to the benefit it brings, check the list below and understand which vegetable oil meets your needs and how to apply it correctly.

What are the types of vegetable oil?

Here we have prepared a list of the main vegetable oils that you can include in your daily life. Check out:

Vegetable oils for everyday use — **Marina Pershina / Pixabay**

• Olive oil: an old acquaintance in gastronomy, extra virgin olive oil prevents cardiovascular problems and encourages the proper functioning of the digestive system. Prevention of intestinal and stomach irritations are also among its benefits. What a lot of people don't know, however, is that, when heated, it loses its properties, so we're talking here, for example, about using it to season salads. In addition to its use in cooking, olive oil is great for hair hydration, simply by adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the common hydration cream. Then just apply it on the hair and massage with your fingertips, letting it act for 30 minutes.

• Canola oil: one of the most expensive on the market, it is extracted from the Brassica napus plant. It is a source of omega-3, an essential fatty acid for the human body. In addition, canola oil helps reduce LDL cholesterol, aka bad cholesterol, and raises HDL cholesterol, aka good cholesterol. Other benefits are: blood pressure balance and hair and skin rejuvenation.

• Coconut oil: this oil has, among its many benefits, anti-inflammatory and atithrombotic power, in addition to being a good moisturizer for dry hair. When applying it to the hair, apply it to dry and clean strands, from root to tip; after four hours the hair will be very hydrated. Unlike olive oil, coconut oil does not lose its beneficial properties when heated, so it can be used in the kitchen.

• Sunflower oil: natural source of fatty acids, it is an antioxidant very rich in vitamin E, so it is very beneficial for the central nervous system and prevents degenerative problems and heart disease. Its benefits are also proven in the treatment of depression and in the fight against the symptoms of PMS and menopause. As it has linoleic acid in its composition, it is also good for the health of the skin and hair.

• Sacha inchi oil: oil extracted from the seeds of the sacha inchi, a typical plant from the Peruvian Amazon, also known as Oro Inka. The seed of this plant has, in its composition, between 45% and 55% of omega-3, so this oil is considered one of the healthiest in the world, since our body does not produce this substance, but it needs it a lot.

• Flaxseed oil: it is a source of omega-3 and omega-6 in the ideal proportions for our body. In addition, it acts strongly in reducing bad cholesterol and also inhibits inflammatory factors. It is most commonly used in salads, measuring two tablespoons of olive oil to one tablespoon of flaxseed oil.

• Sesame oil: it has properties similar to linseed oil, as it is also a rich source of omega-3 omega-6, but it also has omega-9 and vitamin E in its composition, so it is a powerful antioxidant. It can be used in salads, pasta and cold dishes.

• Macadamia oil: this oil is a source of omega-7 and omega-9. It assists in lowering total cholesterol levels and bad cholesterol specifically. It is recommended that one or two tablespoons be ingested a day. The most recommended is to use it in salads and stir-fries.

• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is rich in beneficial substances such as lecithins, phytosterols, vitamin A and lots of vitamin E, at a much higher rate than those normally found in other oils. Among the benefits of using this oil are anti-inflammatory, antiviral and bactericidal properties, in addition to its use being recommended in the base for sun protection, because it has an absorption effect of UV rays.

• Buriti oil: buriti is very famous in the North and Northeast of Spain, as well as in other Latin American countries, such as Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. This oil is rich in oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. All this, combined with the large amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E present in its composition, make it a powerful antioxidant. The oil can be used to replace artificial dyes, as it has a very strong red color. It is also widely used in the cosmetics industry, as it has an anti-irritant effect on exposure to UV rays.

• Chia oil: this seed produces a very beneficial oil for the skin and hair, as it has vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing premature aging and, combined with vitamin B3, also present in good amounts, helping to reduce blemishes and redness of the skin, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, by having copper, zinc and omega-3, it prevents wrinkles, expression marks and prevents baldness and alopecia. This oil can replace olive oil in salad dressing and can be consumed with fruit.

• Pumpkin oil: pumpkin oil has proven action in the fight against prostate cancer, so it is very suitable for men over 50 years old. It acts on the urinary system as a whole, in addition to having fatty acids, it inhibits the formation of cancer cells, preventing other types of cancer, such as stomach, breast, lung, among others.

• Palm oil: extracted from palm, it is very common in the northeast of Spain, especially in Bahia. This oil is rich in fatty acids, such as omega-6 and omega-9, in addition to being a source of vitamin E and vitamin A. Widely used in the cosmetics industry, it can be used to combat hair frizz, especially curly hair. In food, it can be used to season salads and to add flavor to recipes; It is widely used in Bahian cuisine to season acarajé and vatapá.