Which oil is best for everyday cooking: mustard, soybean, olive or something else? The question is debated, and many health-conscious people prefer cooking without oil at all. Using oil in cooking is thought to cause weight gain, but there are oils that may even help reduce weight. Surprisingly, the Bengalis' familiar mustard oil contains elements that help with weight loss.

According to nutritionists, mustard oil contains elements that help speed up the metabolism of food. Its vitamin B complex helps food digest quickly, and when food is digested quickly, weight stays under control.

Mustard oil also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These keep the heart healthy and increase good fat in the body, so extra weight is not gained and weight stays under control.

Besides weight control, mustard oil has other benefits: it also controls cholesterol levels. But nutritionists warn that no oil should be used in excess in cooking, so mustard oil should be used in moderation.

Source: Jugantor. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.