Cold-pressed oils are gaining popularity with the increased interest among people to go for healthier options. And there is every reason for getting the preference over the regular traditional oils. They are looked upon as healthy, nutritious, safe, and natural alternatives to refined and chemical-based oils now. However, there is also another side to this joyful story of cold-pressed oils. The recent craze for these oils has increased so much that consumers often do not pay attention to the disadvantages of cold pressed oil. The knowledge of their drawbacks is necessary to make a more conscious, balanced, and personalized buying decision. In this article, we will look into the disadvantages of cold pressed oil.
Understanding Cold-Pressed Oils
Cold-pressed oils are extracted through natural sources such as nuts, seeds, and fruits, however, unlike regular oils their extraction does not involve high temperatures or chemicals.
The use of heat during extraction produces more oil but also strips it of its nutritional value.
Cold-pressed oils, on the other hand, are extracted through a mechanical process (using a hydraulic press or an expeller press) involving minimal heat and chemicals. They are, therefore, able to preserve maximum nutrition making them more beneficial and nourishing in comparison to regular refined oils.
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Disadvantages of Cold Pressed Oil
Cold-pressed oils are perceived as beneficial to such an extent by health-conscious people that their disadvantages often get overlooked by them.
Let us talk about the disadvantages of cold pressed oil as these will help you in becoming a more informed consumer.
A. Short Shelf Life
Cold-pressed oils mostly have a shorter shelf life as compared to regular oils.
Once opened a bottle of cold-pressed oil has a maximum of 6 months of shelf life.
However, the following are the general guidelines for the shelf life and to preserve your oil for a long:
- The shelf life of cold-pressed oil depends on the type of oil, quality of ingredients used, packaging, storage conditions, etc.
- Oils high in polyunsaturated fats like flaxseed or hempseed oil are more prone to oxidation and have a shorter shelf life than those high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil.
- To prolong the life of your cold-pressed oil, store it in a cool and dark place, as exposure to light, heat, gas stoves, and oxygen can degrade the quality of the oil.
- Prefer storing the oil in a dark-colored glass bottle or metal container.
- Always close the bottle or container of oil tightly after every use. To avoid exposure to oxygen, one should do this, as it can lead to oxidation and cause the oil to become rancid.
- Always choose cold-pressed oil which is extracted using fresh, high-quality nuts, seeds, or fruits.
- Always use a dry, clean, and air-tight bowl/container or utensil for keeping the oil to avoid any contamination.
- You can also extend the shelf life of cold-pressed oil by almost a year by storing it in a clay container.
- If there is a spoilage in the oil you will be able to notice it through an awkward smell. Keep checking the oil periodically for any such degradation.
B. Pricey Oils
You heard it correctly! Yes, the cold-pressed oils are expensive when compared to the regular refined oils.
Producers mostly extract cold-pressed oils using high-quality, organic, and non-GMO (genetically modified oils) seeds and nuts. Premium raw materials make these oils costly.
The use of heat during the extraction of oil produces a higher quantity of oil. Nevertheless, cold-pressed oil extraction maintains the nutritive value of oil by involving minimal heat.
This results in a lesser yield of cold-pressed oil, yet another factor for its high cost.
Other factors that lead to the high cost of cold-pressed oil are the slower and time-consuming extraction process, quality controls, and increased consumer demands.
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C. Limited Range Available
Another disadvantage associated with cold-pressed oils is that only a few oils are suitable for the cold-pressed extraction process.
Nuts, seeds, or fruits with a higher amount of oil in their raw state are considered best for cold-pressed extraction.
Oils with lower content or those requiring additional heat for processing are mostly not considered suitable for the cold-pressing method.
Some of the oil seeds that are easily available in cold-pressed oil form include Olive oil, Coconut oil, Avocado oil, and Flaxseed oil.
Oils seeds less suited for cold-pressing techniques include Canola oil, Soybean oil, Palm oil, and Sunflower oil.
As a consumer, always check for the quality of raw materials used and the authenticity of the supplier.
D. Be aware of Allergens
It is crucial to take food allergies seriously, as they can prove to be fatal.
Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to proteins in various foods, posing a risk of allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
Producers process cold-pressed oils minimally to preserve nutrition. This process does not remove the protein, hence, anyone who has allergies should avoid taking these oils.
Before buying the oil, you must read the list of ingredients and allergen information.
E. Susceptible to Adulteration
Producers frequently mix cold-pressed oils with inferior-quality oil seeds, exposing them to fraud.
As an informed consumer, you must always check for the quality certification. Also, always buy the oil from a reputed brand/seller.
F. Flavor Profile
Cold-pressed oils have a distinct nutty, fruity, or grassy taste.
Though this distinct flavor indicates the authenticity of cold-pressed oil, some people may find the flavor strong initially.
G. Smoke Point
One disadvantage with cold pressed oils is that they are unsuitable for deep frying or high-temperature cooking.
People use the majority of cold-pressed oils for light/moderate cooking or sautéing.
Always check the smoke point of a cold-pressed oil to know if it is suitable for cooking or not.
Takeaway Message
Cold-pressed oils are replacing conventional refined oils in cooking because of the host of benefits.
Knowing the disadvantages of cold-pressed oil is equally necessary, as this knowledge will help you make a much better decision.
Knowledge about the advantages as well as disadvantages will provide you with a complete picture. This way you will be able to weigh both pros and cons which is necessary in a holistic health approach.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.) Is cold pressed oil good or bad?
Ans.) Cold-pressed oils are indeed good as they have a host of benefits to offer to your health.
Cold-pressed oils are better than regular oils because they can preserve the nutrients of the raw ingredients.
They contain natural antioxidants and are a rich source of Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
These oils are free from cholesterol and contain vitamins A, C, D, E, and K.
They also contain an abundance of magnesium and zinc.
The bioactive compounds found in cold-pressed oils have beneficial anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihypertension, and lowering of low-density lipoprotein effects on the human body.
Q2.) What are the disadvantages of cold pressing?
Ans.) Short shelf life, high cost of oil, limited variety of cold-pressed oils, presence of allergens, risk of mixing up inferior quality oil seeds, and unsuitability for deep frying or high-temperature cooking are some of the disadvantages of cold pressing.
Q3.) Which oil is better refined or cold-pressed?
Ans.) When considering health and nutrition, cold-pressed are far better than refined oils.
However, cold-pressed oils have shorter shelf-life and they are costly too.
They are also not suitable for deep frying or high-temperature cooking.
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