Is it better to use cooking oil or lard?

Whether cooking oil or lard is better for health is a concern of many people.

Oil and fat are both fats, an important source of energy for the body, especially for young children. (Illustration photo)

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, former staff of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, many people believe that eating lard makes it easier to gain weight and get metabolic diseases than eating vegetable oil. However, this is an incorrect concept.

Oil and fat are both fats, an important source of energy for the body, especially for young children. Lack of fat in the diet, children are at risk of anorexia, slow growth, rickets and frequent illness.

Vegetable oil contains many unsaturated fatty acids, no cholesterol, rich in vitamins E and K, so it is easy to absorb. However, the oil is easily oxidized, especially when heated at high temperatures, it can be denatured, causing a burnt smell and creating harmful compounds.

Meanwhile, lard contains unsaturated fatty acids, which are less susceptible to heat, so it is suitable for frying. This type of fat is also rich in vitamins D, B and minerals, helping the body absorb calcium, supporting the construction of brain cells and nerve cell membranes.

Some studies show that lard can also increase appetite and help treat anorexia in young children.

Notably, according to the National Institute of Nutrition, both oils and fats provide the same amount of energy, about 9 calories per gram. The idea that eating fat makes you fat is unfounded. The problem lies in the amount consumed and the way it is prepared, not the type of fat itself.

However, lard also contains a lot of saturated fatty acids. Eating too much can cause excess nutrients, which is not good for people with cardiovascular disease, stroke or metabolic disorders.

Experts recommend a flexible combination of oil and fat, instead of completely eliminating either one. For fried foods at high temperatures, fat should be used to limit the risk of toxic substances being produced. In addition, oil that has been fried many times should not be reused, because it will produce compounds that are harmful to health.

A reasonable meal is a balanced meal: fat from many sources (oil, fat, butter, sesame, peanuts...), protein, fiber, vitamins and enough water. Instead of avoiding lard as the "enemy", understand it correctly to use it correctly.

HA (according to VTC News)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/dung-dau-an-hay-mo-lon-tot-hon-414935.html