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Know the Risks of Reheating Cooking Oil & How It Can Harm Your Body

Reheating or reusing cooking oil may be the source of your increased acidity or rising cholesterol levels. Read on to find out why you should pay attention to this extremely common but often overlooked kitchen practice of cooking food in used cooking oil.

Updated on: 23 May, 2022 5:43 PM IST By: Laavanya Arya
Reheating or reusing cooking oil may be the source of your increased acidity or rising cholesterol levels.

Have you ever noticed how cooking oil can turn dark brown, reddish, or even black? This occurs when the food is reheated multiple times, resulting in a darkish color as the oil burns continuously. Reusing cooking oil destroys all of the oil's beneficial properties, resulting in poor meal preparation. This common kitchen practice, which is mostly found in restaurants, food joints, and stalls, causes inflammation in the body and contributes to a variety of health problems.

Top Health Risks Associated with Reheating Cooking Oil

It Makes Oil More Carcinogenic

Anything carcinogenic has the potential to cause cancer. More and more research is demonstrating how aldehydes - toxic elements - are produced when oil is reheated. Reusing cooking oil can also increase free radicals in the body, which can lead to inflammation, which is the root cause of most diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Inflammation in the body can also lower immunity and make you more susceptible to infections.

It Increases LDL Cholesterol

Food cooked in black, smoked oil that is used and reheated throughout the day can raise LDL or bad cholesterol levels in the body. High LDL cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and chest pain. To avoid cholesterol-related issues, avoid reusing cooking oil.

More Acidity

If that burning sensation in your stomach and throat has become more frequent than usual, reheated cooking oil could be to blame. If you have more acidity than usual, avoid eating roadside junk and deep-fried foods. If it helps reduce acidity, you've found your answer to the cause - reusing cooking oil!

Other health risks involved with eating food in reheated cooking oil are:

How To Reduce Usage of Reheated Cooking Oil?

Switch To Home-Cooked Food

Home-cooked food is the most fresh and healthiest option available. Cooking at home gives you control over the ingredients you use. Home-cooked food can provide you with the perfect balanced diet you need for good health and weight loss, from cooking oil to carbs, protein, fats, and fibre. Make sure that you don't use already used cooking oil.

Cook Food in Small Quantities

This is an efficient method for reducing excess cooking oil. Calculate the amount of food required for a specific meal to avoid food waste. Cook as much fresh food as possible. Cooking in small amounts can also help you practice portion control, which is essential if you want to lose weight.

Carry Home-Cooked Food When Travelling or Going Out

One of the major disadvantages of travelling is that you tend to eat fast food or junk food on the way. 

This may contain a lot of unnecessary calories and food made mostly of reheated oil. Reducing your calorie intake from fast food and bringing home-cooked meals to work can have a significant impact on your health.

This should also be the case when travelling to and from the office and other nearby locations. This will help you maintain your weight loss journey while also providing health benefits.

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