Have you ever stood in the supermarket and wondered what’s the actual reason why blended oils existed? Are these smart health choices or just clever marketing? Let’s settle this with science.
Blended oils are created by mixing two or more edible oils — for example, sunflower, olive and rice bran oil — in certain fixed proportions. The idea is to combine the nutritional strengths of each oil while minimizing their weaknesses. For instance, sunflower oil is high in vitamin E but low in omega-3 fatty acids, whereas olive oil offers a higher monounsaturated fats and polyphenols and rice bran oil contain gamma oryzanol and phytosterols. By blending, you get a more balanced fatty acid profile and higher antioxidants.
However, the real benefits depend heavily on the quality of the blend and the manufacturing process. In India, brands like Saffola Active oil contains a blend of 80% rice bran and 20% soya bean oil. This blend helps to achieve a balance of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).
In fact, you can achieve the same benefits of blended oils without buying them directly. If you have a habit of cooking at home regularly then what you can do is to have two or more oils at your home and use them alternatively while cooking. Since every oil has its pros and cons consuming multiple oils can offset the adverse effects of consuming a single oil for an extended period of time.
But always remember that any fat or oil contains significant number of Calories and hence they should be used sparingly.
To conclude, blended oils can be healthier if they are scientifically formulated and from reputable brands. But for purity and flavor authenticity, single-source oils still hold strong.
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