From oil and avocado oil to peanut oil and sesame oil these nine cooking oils can help manage cholesterol when used in small amounts.
If you have cholesterol you may wonder which cooking oil is best for your heart. Cooking oil is used every day for cooking vegetables, curries, dal, stir‑fries and more. Choosing the type of fat can affect your overall heart health.
You do not need to stop using cooking oil. Choosing cooking oils that have unsaturated fats and limiting cooking oils that're high in saturated fat can be a better choice. Nutritionist Pooja Kedia has listed nine cooking oils that can be part of a heart diet.
Here are the nine cooking oils for people who want to manage high cholesterol.
1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
virgin olive oil is a popular choice for a heart‑friendly diet. It contains fats and antioxidants called polyphenols, which may support heart health.
It can be used for salads, light sautéing and cooked vegetables.
2. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is rich in fats and vitamin E. It may help support cholesterol levels. Is a flexible option for daily cooking.
You can use oil for sautéing, roasting, stir‑frying, baking and salad dressings.
3. Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is rich in alpha‑acid (ALA) a plant‑based omega‑3 fatty acid that supports heart health.
However it should not be used for high‑heat cooking. It is better to use flaxseed oil as a dressing or to pour it over food.
4. Walnut Oil
Walnut oil contains omega‑3 fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants. It can be added to a diet.
Try using oil in salad dressings, dips or dishes that do not need high heat.
5. Canola Oil
Canola oil is low in saturated fat. It has monounsaturated fats and omega‑3 fatty acids.
It is good for cooking, including sautéing, baking, grilling and stir‑frying.
6. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil contains antioxidants such as sesamol and sesamin. These ingredients may support heart health. Help protect cholesterol from damage.
Its strong taste makes it a great choice for dishes, stir‑fries, dressings and dips.
7. Coconut Oil: Use in Moderation
Coconut oil is often seen as a cooking oil. It should be used carefully by people with high cholesterol.
While coconut oil might help increase HDL or "good" cholesterol it is also high in saturated fat. Might increase LDL or "bad" cholesterol. It is best to use coconut oil in moderation rather than making it your main cooking oil.
8. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is a source of fats and vitamin E. It can be an option for people looking for a cooking oil.
Its ability to handle heat makes it suitable for sautéing, grilling and stir‑frying.
9. High-Oleic Sunflower Oil
High‑oleic sunflower oil has monounsaturated fat than regular varieties and might be a better choice for heart health.
One important rule applies to every cooking oil: avoid heating or reusing oil multiple times as this can affect its quality.
Which Cooking Oil Is Best, for High Cholesterol?
There is no "oil that can quickly lower cholesterol. A better way is to choose cooking oils that have fats use them in small amounts and eat a healthy diet overall.
Extra virgin olive oil, oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil, sesame oil, peanut oil and high‑oleic sunflower oil can all be part of a balanced heart‑friendly eating plan.
The main thing is not which cooking oil you use but also how much you use. Limiting fats not eating much cooking oil and following a balanced diet can help support healthy cholesterol and heart health.