Grapeseed oil is a cooking oil that can be found at most health-food stores. Its color is light green and it contains a mild flavor. Though it is not as popular as its counterpart olive oil, grapeseed oil has many benefits. Always purchase cold-pressed and organic grapeseed oil to get its full health benefits, as refined oil removes many of its nutrients, and non-organic brands contain pesticides and other chemicals.
High in Vitamins
One of the reasons that grapeseed oil is healthy is due to is high content of certain vitamins. In the book, "The Gluten-Free Vegan: 150 Delicious Gluten-Free, Animal-Free Recipes," author Susan O'Brien notes grapeseed oil is high in vitamins C and E, and also beta carotene. Vitamins C and E are also considered antioxidants, which means they help protect against free radical damage that can cause cancer. Not only does grapeseed oil provide important vitamins for your immune system, but it also helps with long-term health.
Can Take the Heat
Another important benefit that grapeseed oil provides is unlike other oils, it is safe to cook it on high heat, adds O'Brien. Although olive oil is often considered the healthiest oils, its precious good fats are susceptible to damage at high heat. Grapeseed oil, on the other hand, has a high smoke point, which means it has to be cooked on high heat for a while before the fats are damaged.
Promotes Heart Health
Another important benefit of grapeseed oil is that it can help to promote heart health. "Live Better, Longer: The Science Behind the Amazing Health Benefits of OPC" author Richard A. Passwater, PhD, notes research that showed people who consumed up to 1.5 ounces of grapeseed oil a day raised healthy cholesterol levels by 13 percent and lowered bad cholesterol levels by 7 percent in three weeks. For this reason, Passwater recommends grapeseed oil as a part of a diet to ward off heart disease.
Good for the Skin
Grapeseed oil is also healthy to use externally. In her book, "Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How," author Amy Rost recommends adding grapeseed oil to night creams and hand lotions, claiming this can keep the skin soft, young and healthy. This is probably due to the high omega-6 fatty acid content of grapeseed oil. Rost adds that only organic grapeseed oil should be purchased, as grapes are one of the most sprayed crops.
References
- "The Gluten-Free Vegan: 150 Delicious Gluten-Free, Animal-Free Recipes"; Susan O'Brien; 2007
- "Live Better, Longer: The Science Behind the Amazing Health Benefits of OPC"; Richard A. Passwater, PhD; 2007
- "Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How"; Amy Rost; 2009
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