When it comes to cooking oils, there is an endless debate on which one is the healthiest choice. From canola oil to olive oil, people have different choices when it comes to picking a cooking oil. There is a similar debate which goes on between refined and cold-pressed oil. Refined oil might be the most used variant but cold-pressed oils are now widely adopted by people all across the globe, because of its long list of health benefits. Read on to know why is cold-pressed oil better than refined oil.

Refined oils are extracted using high heat. Also known as hot-pressed oils, refined oils are made by first cleaning them, then grinding them at high speed, which can generate heat up to 200°C and using some chemicals, which finally gives us the oil.

On the other hand, cold-pressed oils are crushed slowly to extract oil from them. No heat is generated during the process. This also helps in retaining the nutrients and the flavours.

Traditionally, words like “Chekku”, “Ghani” and “Kolhu” oil were used in India to describe cold-pressed oil. In fact, in olden times, a long cylindrical instrument, known as 'ghani' was used to extract oil from oilseeds.

Cold-pressed oils are definitely healthier than refined oils. Most of the nutritive capacity of refined oil is lost after they are exposed to high heat and chemicals.

The case is completely different in cold-pressed oils, which retain most of their nutrients because of a heat-free and chemical-free manufacturing process. Most cold-pressed oils are rich in vitamin E, which has anti-inflammatory properties and oleic acid, which boosts your immunity.

Sesame oil – It contains sesamol, which helps in the absorption of vitamin E. Sesamol is also an effective antioxidant and anti-fungal in nature. The oil is rich in Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and carries a strong taste. You can use it to cook meals but make sure to use small quantities.

Coconut oil – Cold-pressed coconut oil retains cocositol. Cocositol is a naturally occurring plant alcohol found in abundant quantities in coconut. Cold-pressed coconut oil increases good HDL cholesterol in the body and is best used for medium-heat cooking and is perfect for baking.

Flaxseed oil - Flaxseed Oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It raises the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat. It also improves the function of our liver. The oil helps the body in the production of energy and significantly reduces water retention in the human body.

Bottomline- Make sure you never use cold-pressed oils for deep-frying. Exposing cold-pressed oils to high temperatures can break down their unsaturated fats, making them unsafe for consumption.