Why Refined Oil Is Still Popular (Even Though It’s Harmful) — And Why Stone-Pressed Oil Is Better
Diving into the Truth
The Truth About Refined Oils: What You’re Not Being Told
Walk into any supermarket and you’ll see rows of refined oils —cheap, brightly packaged, and marketed as “light,” “heart-friendly,” or “cholesterol-free.”
But here’s the truth:
Refined oils are ultra-processed, chemically treated, and stripped of nutrients.
They’ve been linked to inflammation, heart disease, and even lifestyle disorders like obesity and diabetes.
Meanwhile, India has always had a safer, healthier, and time-tested option—
stone-pressed oils. So why did we abandon them?
Let’s unpack how refined oil became so popular… and why it’s time to return to our roots.
What Is Refined Oil?
Refined oil is extracted using **high heat, pressure, and chemical solvents** like hexane to maximize yield. After that, it undergoes:
Neutralization - (to remove natural acids)
Bleaching - (to make the oil lighter)
Deodorization - (to remove strong smells)
Additive preservation - (to extend shelf life)
This industrial process kills all natural antioxidants, vitamins, and flavour and may even form trans fats and toxic residues.
It’s not food. It’s a factory product
Why Refined Oil Is Harmful for Health
Studies and doctors now agree that long-term consumption of refined oils can:
1. Promote Inflammation
Refined oils are stripped of their natural omega-3 balance and are high in oxidized omega-6 fats, which increase inflammation in the body.
2. Damage the Heart
Refined oils contribute to:
High blood pressure
Arterial plaque buildup
Increased triglycerides
That “heart healthy” label? Often just a marketing claim
3. Spike Lifestyle Diseases
Refined oil consumption is now linked to:
Type 2 diabetes
Fatty liver
Obesity
Hormonal imbalances
4. Destroy Gut & Brain Health
Solvent residues and trans fats can harm the gut lining and reduce nutrient absorption—impacting everything from **digestion to mental clarity**.
Ancient Wisdom: Stone-Pressed Oils as Nature Intended
Before factories and advertisements, our grandparents relied on ghani-extracted oils, especially stone-pressed oils in ancient times.
Ayurveda prescribed oils like sesame, mustard, coconut, and safflower, extracted using cold, slow, natural methods.
These oils were used for:
Cooking
Internal detoxification
Massage and pain relief
Hormonal balance
Skin and hair health
Unlike refined oils, stone-pressed oils nourish, heal, and balance the body.
What Makes Stone-Pressed Oil Safer and Healthier?
Stone Pressed oils are extracted at lower temperature without any solvents or chemicals. Their nutrient profile is not lost unlike refined oils. They have antioxidants and vitamins naturally present, not added externally just for the purpose of labelling for marketing them as full of vitamins. Stone pressed oils are natural, nutty and flavourful along with some of them containing Anti-inflammatory properties.
Why Refined Oil Took Over (Despite the Health Risks)
So if stone-pressed oil is healthier, why did refined oil become the norm?
1. Cheaper to Mass-Produce
Refined oils yield more oil, have longer shelf lives, and cost less to make.
2. Marketing Over Truth
Big brands promoted “cholesterol-free,” “light” oils—while hiding the **chemical processing and damage** involved.
3. Shelf-Stability > Nutrition
Retailers prefer oils that don’t spoil. But in doing so, they’ve sold oils that don’t nourish either.
Unfortunately, cost and convenience replaced health and authenticity.
The Comeback of Stone-Pressed Oil
With growing awareness, many health-conscious Indians are now switching back to:
Sesame oil – great for Vata balance, oil pulling, joint health
Groundnut oil – perfect for Indian cooking and digestion
Safflower oil – heart-friendly and circulation-boosting
Coconut oil – balances Pitta, supports skin and brain
Final Thoughts: Your Health Is Not Worth Compromising
We’ve trusted refined oil marketing for decades—at the cost of our health. It’s time to break the cycle.
Choose what your ancestors did. Choose what Ayurveda recommends. Choose what your body thanks you for:
✅ Stone-pressed oil – the real health supporter
❌ Refined oil – cheap in cost, costly in consequences