Organic soybean oil is very popular in Asia. It is a commonly used vegetable oil and a very popular ingredient and cheap source of protein in animal feed and other foods. The nutritional value of soy protein is very high. Soybean oil contains Omega-3 fatty acid that is known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Cold-pressed soybean oil is a natural oil extracted from whole soybean grains. It is low in saturated fats and contains unsaturated fatty acids that lower cholesterol. Since it is loaded with vitamins, it has a longer shelf life and does not require any chemicals to increase shelf life. In this article, we will explore some top soybean oil benefits for health, hair and skin along with side effects.
What is Soybean Oil?
- Soybean oil is extracted from the soybean seeds. Many people use soybean oil for cooking and it is very popular in Asia.
- Due to the presence of linolenic acid, soybean oil is also a drying oil, which means it will slowly harden when exposed to air, becoming, transparent, solid and waterproof. These qualities make it useful in making printing ink and oil paint.
Is Soybean Oil Good for Health?
- Unlike other oils, Soybean oil is low in saturated fatty acids and rich in Poly and Mono Unsaturated fatty acids that have been found to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- It is easy to digest thus lowering the problems of indigestion. In addition, it has a high smoking point of 226 degrees Celsius giving you a smoke-free kitchen while frying at high temperatures.
Nutritional Value of Soybean Oil:
The nutritional value of soybean oil is very high. It contains a large number of vitamins which help prolong shelf life, it is therefore mixed in with other oils like geranium oil and other essential oils in an effort to prolong their shelf lives. Let us take a look at Soybean Oil Nutrition Facts per 100 ml:
- Proteins: 16.6 g
- Vitamins K: 183.9 µg
- Omega-6: 4.47 g
- K/Cal: 173
- Saturates: 16 g
- Monosaturated: 24 %
- Polyunsaturated: 60 %
- Linoleic Acid: 51 %
- Fat: 9 g
- Omega-3: 0.6 g
Nutritional Value of Soybean oil is rich in a variety of nutrients that contribute greatly to our physical development. Each nutrient has its own specific role that it plays in the nourishment of our body.
How To Make Soybean Oil at Home?
You must be wondering how to make soybean oil. It is a very simple process to make homemade soybean oil. All you need are the right tools, a little time and some patience. Soybean oil ingredients are easy to find and use, and are mentioned below:
Tools Required:
- Soybean Oil Press
- Glass Jar
- A Steel Strainer
- Shallow Pan
- Large Container
Ingredients:
- Well Dried Soybeans
Preparation:
- Clean the soybeans by removing any dirt, dry leaves or small stones. Foreign impurities may impact the quality of soybean oil.
- Place the beans in the pan and heat it till the beans are warm to touch. Warming the beans releases the oils faster.
- Fill the press halfway with the hot beans and turn the handle to begin feeding the beans into the press. Apply pressure with a wooden pastel for better results.
- Keep pushing the beans continuously into the press to keep the beans moving.
- Keep checking the press and empty the oil that has collected into the glass jar.
- Continue to refill the press and collect the oil till all the beans have been pressed.
- Empty any remaining oil into the glass jar.
- Keep the jar in a cool dark place overnight to let the oil separates from the other impurities like water.
- Pour off the separated Soybean oil into a separate jar the next day.
If you are wondering how often should I do this? you don’t need to do it till you have run out of oil. Soybean oil benefits are that it is filled with natural vitamins that help to prolong shelf life. Best soybean oil can be obtained by letting the jar sit for 24 hours.
Amazing Soybean Oil Health Benefits:
Here we enlisted the 10 best soybean oil uses for health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Controls Cholesterol Levels:
With soybean oil, cholesterol levels are kept in check due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids and Omega-3 and Omega-6. Lecithin present in pure soybean oil prevents the accumulation of fat in the body tissues. It makes the fat-soluble in the blood and increases metabolism. In this way soybean oil benefits in controlling cholesterol levels.
Using Soybean oil brands like Saffola Active edible oil, Fortune Soyabean oil, Dhara Soyabean oil, etc. in recipes that ask for vegetable oil can add nutrition to your diet. In heart patients, the omega-3 fatty acids cause variability of heartbeats thus reducing the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death.
2. Improves Bone Health:
Soybean oil contains isoflavones that have similar properties to estrogen. Estrogen is required by the human body to maintain bone density. Due to ageing and hormonal changes that occur during the post-menopausal period, there is a lot of hormonal imbalance in the body.
The isoflavones are well-known phytoestrogen that is derived from plants, they have weak estrogen-like action. They bind themselves to the estrogen receptors on the bone to stimulate bone growth. Vitamin K present in soybean oil is very good for bone development. It is commonly thought that calcium is necessary for bone development, however, vitamin K can stimulate healing and the regrowth of bones, thus stimulating bone development in a positive way and prevents osteoporosis by strengthening the bones.
3. Improves Vision:
Omega-3 fatty acids in Soybean oil protect cell membranes, including the delicate membranes of the eyes and skin which are entry points for dangerous microbes. These delicate membranes can be a common entry point for bacteria and other foreign materials that are dangerous.
Omega-3 acts as a very useful antioxidant. It neutralizes radicals that can cause macular degeneration and cataract. The nutrients like Vitamin E present in the soybean oil help to improve vision. Thus it is very beneficial for older people above the age of 70 years as it helps maintain eye health by preventing cataract, glaucoma and increases retina function.
4. Relieves Menopausal Symptoms:
During menopause, the estrogen levels in a woman’s body are on the decline. It is a very difficult time for women who are undergoing the symptoms of menopause. The body is going through major change and so the symptoms can cause a lot of problems.
The phytoestrogen present in soybean has similar properties to estrogen. Although it is a plant-based substance, it acts similarly to estrogen. They cling to the estrogen receptors in the body tricking the body into feeling like there is no major change going on. This alleviates symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, food cravings and other symptoms of menopause.
5. Prevents Anaemia:
Our diet directly affects our health. What we eat helps our body replenish the nutrients we lost throughout the day. For vegetarians and vegans, this source of replenishment is very limited. Most vegetables do not provide the same nutrients as meat. For non-vegetarians, meat is the main source of iron.
Vegetarians and vegans miss out on this source of iron and become susceptible to anaemia and other deficiency-related diseases. Soybean oil is a rich source of iron, thus soybean oil is a great alternative as it is a rich source of iron. It provides a healthy source of iron and can help prevent anaemia.
6. Improves Digestive Health:
The digestive system in our body is greatly affected by the amount of insoluble fat in our body. These insoluble fats travel around our body through the bloodstream. They get deposited in areas like the kidney and liver. This can lead to various health problems. In order for metabolism to increase, the fats have to be broken down into soluble fats.
Lecithin from soybean oil helps make the fat-soluble and increases metabolism. This helps in excreting the toxic and waste materials from our body. Due to no fat being deposited in organs like the kidneys and liver, digestive functions improve thus improving digestive health.
7. Prevent Birth Defects:
During pregnancy, a woman eats for two people. Sometimes the nutrient requirements are not fulfilled which can directly affect the fetus. Soybean oil is a rich source of folic acids and Vitamin B complex which are essential in the development of fetuses in the early stages. Folic acid prevents defects in the neural tube, thus preventing birth defects.
Vitamin B complex helps in the healthy development of the other parts of the fetus. Receiving nourishment in the early stages of development leads to the birth of a healthy baby. Soybean oil is small amounts is therefore good for the development of babies and a great way to prevent birth defects.
8. Soybean Oil for Cooking:
Soybean Oil uses can be done on salad dressings. Since it has a very high smoking point of 226 degrees Celsius it is great for frying foods at high temperatures and not having to worry about a smoke-filled kitchen. This is why many households use soybean oil for cooking, baking, preparing icings and filling, to make mayonnaise and regular cooking.
In East Asia, soybean oil is a common household product. It is not only cheap but also very healthy. Because of its high smoking point, it can be used for a variety of foods. This makes it a staple food and used for cooking in various recipes.
9. Soybean Oil Benefits for Skin:
Soybean oil benefits for skin contains high levels of Vitamin E which is a great antioxidant. The application of soybean oil for skin helps protect the skin from harmful UVB rays of the sun preventing sunspots and ageing. It helps prevent water loss in the skin and keeps it soft and moisturized.
Soybean oil skincare keeps the skin smooth and soft by preventing the loss of collagen present in skin tissue. In addition, it keeps the skin soft and moisturized. Organic Soybean oil for skin is available in most stores or you can make homemade soybean oil.
10. Soybean Oil Benefits for Hair:
Hair fall is a major problem in men and women. Various remedies have been put to the test in order to get rid of this pesky problem. Using soybean oil for hair helps to moisturize the hair. Applying soybean oil to your hair twice a week has shown to have good results.
Some of the soybean oil benefits for hair growth are that it increases the production of certain amino acids and keratin like molecules which bind to the hair and improve hair growth and add lustre and shine. It also helps strengthen the hair from the root, reducing hair breakage and hair fall.
Soybean Oil Side Effects:
Like everything else, soybean oil advantages and disadvantages exist too. Although few, there exists soybean oil side effects and soybean oil health risks.
Soybean oil disadvantages include the following:
- Soy products can cause anti-thyroid issues in individuals who have iodine deficiencies; leading to goitres.
- The polyunsaturated fatty acids present in soybean oil can get accumulated in various organs of the body like the liver and kidneys, causing inflammation and diabetes.
- Soybean oil allergy is mostly found in infants. It can cause hives, nausea, fever, and rashes in children. This, however, fades with time.
- People with a history of cardiovascular diseases and obesity should proceed to use soybean oil with caution as it could affect them physically.
Soybean is one of the best sources of proteins. Soyabean oil is therefore filled with many of the nutrients and benefits that are needed for us to stay healthy. Adding soya bean oil to your daily diet will help you keep fit. From amnesia, birth defects, cholesterol and vision, soyabean oil is known to help you. Just switching to soya bean oil can make a lot of difference to your family’s health. So do try the new soya bean oil today.
