Grape seeds may seem like tiny little inconveniences to be spat out and forgotten, but for wineries that process tons of grapes every year, grape seeds are becoming an important source of subsidiary income. Grape seeds are processed by pressing them to extract their oil. This byproduct of winemaking is used as a cooking oil with attributes both positive and negative.
High Smoke Point
"Smoke point" is a term used to describe the temperature at which cooking oil begins to break down, according to Alive Magazine. When cooking oils break down, unstable molecules called free radicals can form. Free radicals are associated with cell damage, and may increase your risk of cancer and heart disease. Compared to other cooking oils, grapeseed oil has a relatively high smoke point of 420 degrees F, making it a desirable choice for high temperature cooking.
Flavorless
Grapeseed oil's lack of distinctive flavor could be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage. On its own, it's not very exciting as a culinary enhancement, but its clean flavor can be enlivened with an infusion of herbs and or fruit. According to the website The Nibble, retailers are offering grapeseed oil infused with such things as basil and lemon, and such concoctions are gaining favor as a cooking oil among accomplished chefs.
Healthy Fats
You've probably heard that your choice of cooking oils can have a significant impact on your health. Dietary fat is essential for maintaining your brain, heart, nerves and cells, according to Helpguide.org. The caloric content of oils is completely supplied by fat, but the type of fat is crucial in determining whether a particular type of oil is helpful or harmful. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that grapeseed oil contains 2.1 g of monounsaturated fats, and 9.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per tablespoon.
Health Benefits
Helpguide.org states that people with diets rich in foods that contain monounsaturated fats have lower risk of heart disease, while polyunsaturated fats offer anti-inflammatory effects. Grapeseed oil also contains 24 mg of phytosterols in each tablespoon. Dr. R.E. Ostlund Jr. of the department of internal medicine at Washington University explains that phytosterols are molecules found in plant foods. They can help inhibit your absorption of cholesterol. Ostlund suggests that dietary phytosterol intake may help prevent coronary heart disease.
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