Refined Oil vs Mustard Oil: Which is Better for Your Health?

Have you ever asked yourself, 'What is the purpose of different kinds of oils?

While every product claims to be authentic and good for your health, what’s the truth

Reflecting on this is one of the easiest ways to go down a rabbit hole and discover a multitude of lies, marketing gimmicks, and valuable realizations.

So, getting out of the vagueness, let’s explore the differences between Mustard Oil vs Refined Oil.

What is Mustard Oil?

Before diving into the differences, let’s just discuss Mustard Oil first. Also known as shudh sarso ka tel or unrefined Mustard Oil is derived from either Black or Yellow Mustard Seeds.

It’s extracted by a process called cold-pressing, where the seeds are stone pressed in traditional equipment known as Gheni or Chekku.

It is a dark yellow, pungent, and strongly flavored oil, commonly used in Indian households for hundreds of years. It’s also used in Ayurvedic treatments due to its medicinal properties.

What is Refined Oil?

Unlike Mustard Oil, refined oil is a processed and mass-manufactured oil (such as sunflower, groundnut, and soybean oil).

Instead of cold-pressing, it’s extracted through a series of refining processes, including neutralization, Bleaching, and Deodorization.

It’s cheaper than cold-pressed oils but is known for its deficiency in nutrients. Refined Oils are neutral in taste, have a high smoke point, and a longer shelf life due to the preservatives added. 

Mustard Oil vs Refined Oil

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s get to the point: which oil is better for you?

Fatty Acids

• Mustard Oil: Mustard Oil contains over 3 times more monounsaturated good fats than refined oils. It also has a balanced Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio.

• Refined Oils: Less amount of Monounsaturated Fats compared to Mustard Oil. On the other hand, refined oils contain more Omega-6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation when consumed in excess.

Vitamins & Antioxidants

• Mustard Oil: It is known for its high natural content of Vitamins and Antioxidants. 

• Refined Oils: Almost negligible Vitamin or Antioxidants due to their processed nature.

Health Benefits

• Mustard Oil
  • Heart-Friendly: Because of its high content of Monounsaturated Fats, Mustard Oil helps lower LDL (also known as bad cholesterol).

  • Anti-Inflammatory: Mustard Oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; it’s used as a massage oil in ayurvedic therapies for the same reason. 

• Refined Oil
  • Highly Processed: Refined Oils are highly processed and thus lose most of their nutrient content in the process. Most Indian brands refined oils also contain trans fats, which are extremely bad for your body.
  • Chemical Residues: Many brands use hexane during the refining process of oils, resulting in the accumulation of unhealthy chemical residues in the final product.

So, what to choose?

Now that you have all the facts, it must be easier for you to decide between refined oil vs mustard oil, which is better for health!

On the other hand, always ensure that you’re using natural and authentic oils. Reports show that more than 70% of oils sold in Indian markets are adulterated with harmful chemicals.

These chemicals cannot only cause short-term illness but also lifelong conditions like cognitive decline.

Always opt for organic and chemical-free oils, like our Gyros Farm Stone Cold Pressed Mustard Oil. It is not only 100% pure and organic, but also made using traditional methods, preserving all essential nutrients to provide you with the best quality oil.

Conclusion

After all the Refined Oil vs Mustard Oil debate, it all comes down to your health. Preferring naturally extracted and chemical-free oils might be costly in the short run, but it’ll save you the hospital bills you’ll have to pay for the accumulated chemicals otherwise.

Eat pure, stay fit, and make the best choice for the moment! :)

FAQs

1. Refined oil vs mustard oil, which one is better?

Mustard Oil is better in every aspect. Just make sure you’re consuming pure mustard oil, as there are a lot of adulterated ones.

2. Does mustard oil cause acidity?

No, if we use pure mustard oil, it should not cause acidity. On the other hand, Mustard Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

3. My mustard oil smells, has it gone bad?

Mustard Oil has a strong aroma, you might be mistaking it for the oil going bad. If your oil smells foul or sour, then it might have gone bad. Usually, pure Mustard Oil has a shelf life of 6-8 months.