Oil forms an essential part of our everyday cooking. We could be very careful of the type of oil used for cooking at home. But then what about the oil used for cooking in hotels and restaurants? It is a known fact that eating too much and the wrong kinds of fats, such as saturated and trans fats, may raise unhealthy LDL cholesterol and lower healthy HDL cholesterol.
This imbalance can increase one’s risk of high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attack and stroke. Vegetable oils are often labeled “heart-healthy” and recommended as an alternative to sources of saturated fat, such as butter. The reason vegetable oils are considered good for the heart is that studies consistently link polyunsaturated fat to a reduced risk of heart problems, compared with saturated fat. In spite of their potential health benefits, some scientists are worried about how much of these oils people are consuming. These concerns mostly apply to oils that contain a lot of omega-6 fats.
Oils heated past their smoke point break down and can produce unhealthy compounds. Some of the healthier cooking oils that can withstand higher cooking temperatures include olive oil, avocado oil and sesame oil. Keeping in mind the health of the customers, it would be desirable for hotels and restaurants to mention the type of oil used in the cooking.
This could be by way of a sign-board within the premises or it could be mentioned in the menu.
