Tag: Reusing oil

According to a systematic review of studies, heating edible oils to common cooking temperatures (≤ 200°C) has minimal impact on the generation of harmful compounds, but heating higher or repeatedly reusing oil can increase risks. The question of does heating cooking oil make it unhealthy is nuanced, depending on the oil type, temperature, and duration of use.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), oil with a Total Polar Compound (TPC) value over 25% should not be consumed due to health risks. So, what happens if you consume old cooking oil that has exceeded its safe usage?

A significant number of households reuse cooking oil to save money and reduce waste. However, repeated heating significantly degrades oil, prompting the crucial question: is reusing cooking oil sanitary? The practice can lead to the formation of toxic compounds, including trans fats, that pose serious health hazards.

According to food scientists, certain oils can be reused anywhere from two to eight times, depending on the type and usage. To correctly determine how many times can you heat up oil, you must move past simple numbers and understand the factors influencing its quality and safety.

Studies suggest that consuming food cooked in degraded oil can increase the risk of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. This is just one of the serious consequences of what happens if you overuse cooking oil, a common but dangerous kitchen practice.

Heating oils, particularly to high temperatures or repeatedly, can degrade their quality, generating harmful compounds. This raises a critical question for many home cooks and health-conscious individuals: **Is oil unhealthy when heated?** Understanding the science behind thermal stability is key to making informed decisions for a healthier diet.