Nutritional benefits of healthy oils

On a general note, vegetable oils are considered healthier than other oils and fats because they are composed predominantly of unsaturated fats as opposed to saturated fat. Unsaturated fats, which include both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, are healthier than saturated fat.

Sesame seed oil

According to Slayer Ji, Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) has been cultivated by man for 5,000 years as a medicinal food. Indeed, some 3,600 years ago it was mentioned in the scrolls of Egyptian Ebers as a famous medicine. While Ancient Babylonian women mixed its oil and honey to prolong youth and beauty, Roman soldiers used it for strength and energy.

Contents

Sesame seed oil contains over 24 medicinal (pharmacologically) active properties. Rich in magnesium and potassium.

Health benefits

Effective against diabetes, it prevents High Blood Pressure, HPB, good in the prevention of tooth decay, and promotes the health of tongue, teeth and palate if swished in the mouth for long before spitting it out. It also protects the nervous system, the kidney, improves heart health and induces children to sleep if massaged with the oil at night.

Sesame seed oil darkens hair colour, prevents dandruff while it is good for skin health and prevents fungal diseases. It also

prevents colon cancer and promotes bone health. It is therefore good at relieving rheumatism, arthritis and the thinning of bones at old age called osteoporosis.

Other nutritional benefits include the treatment of constipation, and it is effective against depression because it reduces the chemical called serotonin that causes tension in the body.

Read also: Staple food prices drop, cooking oils rise in January

Coconut oil

Functions:

−A gentle massage of coconut oil on the head removes mental fatigue. It is sn excellent remedy for gastritis and provides vitamins and minerals.

Coconut oil improves the body’s ability to absorb important minerals such as calcium and magnesium necessary for the development of bones. It manages cholesterol, assists in keeping a slim waist line for the ladies watching their weight, according to recent research published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Coconut water

Those who know its nutritional benefits prefer it to energy/sports drinks for more reasons than one.

Content

It has the five essential electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium.

Low fat content, it is rich in fibre. It contains 294mg of potassium,5mg of natural sugar and 25mg of sodium per glass of drink. It is best to consume ss the first thing in the morning to replace lost electrolytes.

Health benefits:

It cures hangover as it replaces electrolytes lost during frequent urination and vomiting.

It suppresses appetite for those who want to eat less food. It is good for the skin as it clears pimples and other skin blemishes.

It also encourages digestion, reduces blood pressure. and best for sportsmen as it is far better than energy drink.

It is recommended for sick people but could be given intravenously. Coconut water can remove kidney stones, if taken regularly.

Palm kernel oil

Palm tree (Elaies guinensis)

The nut contains

48% lauric fatty acid. Formed into monolaurin in the human body.

Monolaurin is the anti-viral, anti-bacterial monoglycide the human body uses to destroy the lipid-coated HIV virus and other pathogens.

According to Dr. Mary Enig, a bio-chemist/nutritionist, lauric acid gives the oil its immense healing properties. 3 tablespoons of the oil daily is recommended as it is effective in

(a) Relieving all kinds of pains. (b) Improving digestion (c) Softening dry cough. (d) Anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic (e) Improves the immune status against HIV, herpes, cytomegalo virus, influenza.

(f) Apply externally to quicken the healing of wounds.

Zinc enhances reproductive activities.brelieves pains at swellings, tumours, burns. It prevents and cures prostate cancer. Effective in cleansing liver and blood. Useful against duodenal ulcers, colon inflammation, appendicitis, diarrhoea.

You are well advised to read through this again and apply them as at when due. Doing so will save you from the listed illnesses, or spending on expensive drugs at old age.