Walnut Oil: The Perfect Balance Between Omega-3 And Omega-6

Discover the many health and skincare benefits of walnut oil.

What Is Walnut Oil?

It is a vegetable oil delivered from the products of the white pecan (Juglans Regia), cold-squeezed. It is wealthy in polyunsaturated fats, particularly linoleic corrosive and alpha-linolenic corrosive, fundamental unsaturated fats helpful to well-being. Light in variety and with an extremely fragrant taste, with a trademark nutty flavor, it doesn’t avoid heat well. Its protection is simple in the cooler. In antiquated times, pecan oil was known as the “unfortunate man’s fat.” And for good explanation, it is considerably less oily than others!

What Are The Differences Between Walnut Oil And Walnut Husk?

It tends to be mistaken for pecan husk. The two items are removed from parts of a similar plant, Juglans Regia. However, pecan oil is a food item obtained by squeezing the portions, while the second is produced using the bark (likewise called husk ) of pecans: the beefy layer (mesocarp) not consumable that wraps the stone organic product.

What has the effect between the two is the application. The sleek concentrate obtained from the plant’s seeds is principally utilized as a fixing for culinary strengths, while the substance that comes from the bark of the nuts is utilized in beauty care products as a shading salve for the skin and as a tanning activator.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Walnut Oil?

We know a few assortments of natural pecan products, the Périgord pecan and the Grenoble pecan; this one will be one of the most established AOC and renowned to the point that Quebecers refer to their neighborhood creation as “Grenoble nuts.” Nuts are the second natural product with the most extraordinary cell reinforcement power after walnuts.

 Thus, the presence of omega 3 and omega 6, and significant nutrients, gives pecan oil intriguing mitigating, cell reinforcement, and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, it is wealthy in protein, especially arginine, which assists keep blood vessels well flexible. It is likewise plentiful in vitamin E, which safeguards against free revolutionaries, and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium ), while low in salt. Let’s see its benefits in terms of cardiovascular health:

1. Lowers blood pressure. The essential fatty acids in which it is rich make it effective in reducing high blood pressure, an important factor in the onset of heart disease.
2. Reduces cholesterol. It effectively reduces high levels of triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood. Studies have shown that taking 3ml of walnut oil for at least 45 days effectively reduces triglyceride levels.
3. Promotes cardiovascular health. Walnut oil comprises 70% polyunsaturated fats and a significant proportion of monounsaturated fats while completely cholesterol-free. This composition makes it a valuable remedy for maintaining heart health.
4. Lowers blood sugar levels. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it keeps blood sugar levels under control. Studies have observed that 1 tablespoon per day for 3 consecutive months effectively reduces fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin.
5. Anti-stress. Its pleasant nutty scent calms restlessness and soothes anxiety, and improves mood. There is an effective reduction in the discomfort associated with anxiety and depression.
6. Helps reduce inflammation. It reduces the symptoms associated with chronic inflammatory processes thanks to alpha-linolenic acids, which reduce the production of inflammatory proteins.
7. Rich in ellagitannins. These are components belonging to the polyphenols endowed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can oppose cellular damage resulting from the harmful action of free radicals. The function of blood vessels is improved effectively.
8. Reduces muscle inflammation and pain. In local use, it acts on joint pain linked to an inflammatory process.

What Are The Nutritional Values ​Of Walnut Oil?

It is a wellspring of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and oleic. These mixtures are called ‘great’ fats since they essentially go about as cell reinforcements and calming specialists and are immediately changed into an energy source with practical consequences for the body. Nonetheless, it is an exceptionally caloric oil that should be handled appropriately. 100 ml of oil gives 884 kcal. For 100 ml, we have the following:

1. Total fat 100 g
2. Saturated fatty acids 9.1 g
3. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids 22.8g
4. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids 63.3g
5. Choline (vitamin J) 0.4mg
6. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.4 mg
7. Vitamin K 15ug

Omega-type essential fatty acids are great for your health, but the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 triggers their real benefits. They are part of the amino acids essential to the body that it does not manufacture: only food provides them. They are essential for producing our cellular tissues and for our good cardiovascular health. 

They also enter into the proper functioning of our cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. However, our diet only sometimes provides the right balance between the two. This should be a ratio of one omega-6 to four omega-3s: it is often 1 to 10 or even more. As a result, omega 6s compete when absorbed by the body, always to the detriment of omega 3s. 

In the event of an imbalance between the two, it amounts to not having taken omega 3s! An imbalance source of cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Walnut oil is simply the perfect balance the body needs. What’s more, the daily dose of this omega-3 and omega-6 duo is contained in just two tablespoons of walnut oil.

What Is The Best Oil For The Heart?

Olive oil is best for heart health, and extra virgin olive oil is even better. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and enough to ingest raw: 2 tablespoons a day to give our body an adequate quantity of these nutrients, allowing it to assimilate other useful substances. Olive oil helps prevent cardiovascular diseases; it is also mildly laxative and has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving function, particularly effective in joint pain. 

If consumed in adequate doses, it helps control blood pressure. Indeed, it helps to regulate the cholesterol level in the blood by increasing the level of good cholesterol. It is, therefore, not only food but also a valuable ally for the well-being of our body.

What Are The Benefits Of Walnut Oil For The Skin?

The oil is used in cosmetics to prepare beauty skin and hair care recipes. A spoonful of this precious oil contains 8 gr of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential fat in the omega-3 class that contributes to the epidermis’s structure. This is why the oil:

1. Promotes skin renewal
2. Fight against inflammatory skin disorders
3. Promotes the healing process of wounds
4. Protects the skin thanks to the synergistic action of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties

It is mainly used as an anti-wrinkle to help the skin stay healthy and young. And also serves as a protective barrier against pathogens that attack the skin and soothe inflammatory conditions caused by allergic reactions.

Walnut Oil: Benefits For The Face

Thanks to vitamin K, this oil activates blood microcirculation and is particularly indicated in case of weakness of the walls of blood vessels or stagnation of circulation. To reduce dark circles, morning and evening, after cleansing the face, apply 1 to 2 drops of oil to the eye contour with a light circular massage. It will stimulate microcirculation and reduce the blue color that underlines the presence of dark circles.

It is also an anti-wrinkle and nourishing oil, as it is very rich in fatty acids with antioxidant action. As an anti-aging serum, you can apply 2-3 drops of the oil to your face daily, in the morning and evening, after cleansing your face, to experience an effective reduction of wrinkles and lines. Expression.

What Is The Price Of Walnut Oil?

Depending on the quality, a 250 ml bottle of edible oil can cost between 10 and 22 euros. It is always necessary to check that the product is cold pressed since hot processing causes the loss of its characteristics. It is also advisable to buy a virgin oil or from the first pressing, unrefined, preferably organic, preferably of India or European origin. Consume the bottle within 3 months.

What Are The Dangers Of Walnut Oil?

It is quite a safe product if consumed in moderation, but it should be noted that it can cause allergic reactions in people with nut allergies. It may cause skin irritation if used topically. It is therefore recommended to apply a small amount of product to the skin, wait a few hours and check whether a skin reaction due to hypersensitivity to the active ingredients is possible.

Side effects may occur with certain disorders affecting the stomach and cardiovascular system. It should not be taken at the same time as medicines for high blood pressure and diabetes, as it could cause an excessive and dangerous drop in blood pressure and blood sugar-plasma levels. It is therefore recommended to consult a doctor before taking the product.

What Are The Uses Of Walnut Oil?

This oil is known for its pleasant and delicate flavor, accompanied by bitter notes, which give a characteristic aroma to dishes. And that makes it a real culinary specialty to use as a seasoning for tasty recipes. In addition to being used in the kitchen raw, it also has applications in cosmetics. Thanks to its antioxidant and vitamin E content, it has moisturizing and nourishing properties for the skin.

It can be used as a massage oil diluted with other cosmetic oils such as camelina, rosehip, or nigella oil as an anti-wrinkle and nourishing treatment for the skin and hair. It can also be added to skin care products to improve their texture and moisturizing properties. It is also used as a thinner for oil paints, as it tends to dry quickly and does not have a particularly strong odor, unlike the characteristic odor of turpentine.

Where To Use Walnut Oil?

The oil is characterized by a light yellow color and a delicate taste accompanied by slightly bitter notes. Due to its organoleptic characteristics, it is mainly used in culinary applications, serving as a seasoning for tasty recipes. This oil is often used to season dishes with cheese or to make dressings and sauces. It can also be used for low-temperature cooking due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can deteriorate at high temperatures.

Does Walnut Oil Heat Up?

As for its culinary use, its poor heat resistance is a real guarantee; frying it is out of the question.

How To Make Homemade Walnut Oil

It is possible to extract oil at home from the kernels of walnuts. Before proceeding with the extraction, it is advisable to boil the washed nuts and dry them in the oven at 40-45° for 2-3 hours. This method reduces the moisture released by the kernels. Indeed, the walnut kernels, in contact with water, create a spongy network, making it difficult to extract the oil and affecting the yield. Transfer the kernels to a steel press or mill fitted with stainless steel nets similar to those used for extracting wine. Using a filter cloth, filter the oil from the mill. Finally, transfer the extract into dark glass bottles and close them tightly. The yield is about 6 kg for 1 liter of oil.

Some Recipes With Walnut Oil

Here are some walnut oil recipes that you will find interesting.

Salad With Walnut Oil

The salad of arugula, pears, Parmesan, and walnuts is a side dish rich in different and contrasting flavors that combine well.

1. 100 g of arugula
2. 2 Williams pears
3. 100 g Grana Padano
4. 50 g walnut kernels
5. 2 spoonfuls of lemon juice
6. 1 tablespoon walnut oil
7. balsamic vinegar to taste

Preparation

Wash the arugula, dry it with a kitchen towel or a salad spinner, and pour it into a bowl. Also, wash the pears, cut them into quarters, and peel them, removing the central part of the core. Cut into thin slices and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent the pears from turning black. Please place them in a salad bowl and add the arugula. Stir gently so as not to break the pear slices. Coarsely chop the walnuts, add to the salad, and then the parmesan flakes. Season with salt and walnut oil and mix gently. Divide among 4 plates and pour a few drops of balsamic vinegar on each plate.

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