Health Hazard: Frying and Oil Heating Instructions Everyone Must Know

Plant-Based Fats
Most unprocessed plant fats are made up of unsaturated (or monounsaturated) fatty acids and contain no cholesterol. These healthy fats are found in tahini (ground sesame paste), avocado, olives, nuts, almonds, seeds, and natural oils like olive, canola, sunflower, and sesame oil. Unsaturated plant fats generally do not lead to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis).

There are many types of vegetable oils that actually benefit the body. Olive oil, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, avocado oil, and almond oil each provide fatty acids that help nourish and renew every cell in the body. These oils also help dissolve unhealthy saturated fat and clean out the blood vessels.

But it’s important to remember that oil becomes dangerous if it’s overheated, refined, or oxidized. Once oil reaches its “smoke point” (when it starts to burn and smoke), its structure changes and it can turn harmful. That’s why healthy oils should always be cold-pressed and kept in the right conditions. Oils should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place, ideally in dark glass bottles, not clear ones like the kind sold in many supermarkets.

When cooking, it’s best to avoid overheating oil. Try using methods that keep the oil at a lower temperature, or even cook without oil and add it afterward if needed. This helps preserve its health benefits.

Animal Fats
Animal-based fats, on the other hand, contain high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Eating too much of these fats, especially without balancing them with enough vegetables and fruits, is one of the major causes of heart disease. In the Western world and even here in Israel, heart disease is the number one cause of death, responsible for about 40 to 45 percent of fatalities.

Animal fat raises levels of LDL cholesterol, the type that tends to stick to blood vessels and cause dangerous blockages (atherosclerosis).

Still, fats are not our enemy. The human body, a gift from Hashem, needs healthy fats for building cells and supporting the membranes that surround and connect them. Fats are also part of important hormones and play a role in bone health and energy production.

The key is balance, wisdom, and mindfulness in what we eat, values deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Our bodies are vessels for the soul, and just as we care for our spiritual health through mitzvot and prayer, we’re also asked to care for our physical health, making choices that honor the body Hashem gave us.