What are the virtues of peanut oil? How to use it? We tell you everything!
Origin of peanut oil
Peanut oil is an oil widely used in cooking. It comes from peanuts, these plants are suitable to grow in tropical and south-tropical regions of the world.
The oil is derived from peanut seeds (or peanuts) contained in the pods (which usually contain between two and four). Each seed can contain up to 50% oil.
The manufacture of peanut oil has long been artisanal. Today the steps of cleaning, grinding, heating and pressing the seeds are carried out industrially to extract the oil, which will then be refined.
Composition of peanut oil
Peanut oil, like all oils, is more than 99% fat. It is therefore very energetic: 900 kcal for 100 g, or 90 kcal the tablespoon.
Richer in monounsaturated fatty acids than in polyunsaturates, it is a little closer to olive oil. Those who do not like it because of its particular taste, can fall back on the peanut oil with a more neutral taste.
For 100 g of peanut oil we find on average:
39 g of monounsaturated fatty acids (essentially oleic acid);
38 g of essential fatty acids (Omega-6);
23 g of saturated fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, behenic, arachidic);
less than 0.1 g of essential fatty acids (Omega-3);
17 mg of vitamin E (major antioxidant, vitamin E protects the membrane that surrounds the body's cells, especially red blood cells and white blood cells).
Good to know: because of its high Omega-6 content and its low Omega-3 content, it is advisable to consume peanut oil alternately with other oils that are richer in Omega-3, such as rapeseed oil or camelina oil.
Benefits of peanut oil for the body
Ingested
Like many oilseeds, peanut oil is consumed regularly and, in moderate doses, has beneficial properties for health. Studies have shown that it would contribute to:
lowering cholesterol levels;
to calm stomach ulcers and digestive problems;
relieve gas and bloating.
In external use
Peanut oil is sometimes applied directly to the skin in the fight against:
arthritis;
joint pain;
dry skin;
eczema;
scabs of the scalp;
hair loss.
Good to know: Peanut oil softens and nourishes very dry skin areas, such as elbows, knees, hands and feet, and relieves superficial skin burns.
In the kitchen
Thanks to its high protein content, peanut and peanut oil can replace, in whole or in part, meat and fish.
It can be used for full frying as well as stir-fry dishes, pan frying and salad dressing.
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