Walnut oil is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It has high content of phytonutrients and a source of phosphorus, selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron. It also provides substantial amount of Vitamin B2, B1, B3 along with Niacin and Vitamin E. Though it is edible, it is used less in food preparation in comparison to other oils.
It possesses delicate flavor and scent with light color and nutty taste. It is used for pan frying but should be avoided for high temperature cooking because the oil loses its nutritive value and flavor after healing by making it slightly bitter.
Nutritional value
The serving size of 218 grams (one cup) of Walnut oil provides 218 g of total fat, 32.7 µg of Vitamin K, 0.87 mg of Vitamin E and 0.9 mg of choline. Walnut oil being a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids including therapeutic properties is useful for beautification and medicinal purposes. It enhance the circulation of blood having an anti-bacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, skin toning and skin regenerative properties.
1. Treat stress
Walnut and its oil is helpful for the body to counteract stress due to the presence of polyunsaturated fats that helps to influence blood pressure. The study shows that Omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha linolenic acid in walnuts help to decrease low density lipoproteins which are bad cholesterol. It also lowers C – reactive protein and inflammation. The walnut oil has the ability to lower blood pressure during the stress.
2. Cardiovascular health
Walnut oil helps to lower the chances of cardiovascular problems by lowering the cholesterol level. The walnut intake assists the HDL cholesterol by transporting and eliminating excess cholesterol from the body. The study shows that walnut oil helps to maintain the functions of blood vessels. It also preserves the endothelial cell functions that are vital in maintaining the cardiovascular health.
3. Assist allergy
The supplement of walnut oil if taken by pregnant women helps to lower the chances of allergy in children shown by clinical trials. It develops and makes the immune system mature faster that leads to strong immune function and lower the chances of allergies in baby.
4. Cure for dementia
The study shows that regular intake of oils rich in Omega-3 helps to lower the chances of development of dementia by 60 percent in comparison to those who does not consume regularly. The research is still going on to find out the exact mechanisms occurring in these foods.
How to Make Walnut Oil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Buy 2-3 kg of walnuts. They should be in the shell, dry and fresh. If it is possible collect them from the walnut tree when they are ripe and dry them. With the help of a nut cracker open the shell of walnuts and extract the meat out into a clean bowl.
The next step of how to make walnut oil is to grind walnuts. Put a small amount into a grinder and continue grinding until the walnuts are fine. Grind all walnuts in such a way.
After that we should warm up the walnut meat. Put it into a pot and add some water. Just a little bit. Heat the mixture for 30 minutes. Constantly stir it.
Place the hot walnut meat in an oil press and squeeze the oil. Make sure that you have put a bowl under the oil press. Collect the oil in the bowl. Press all the meat. You are likely to receive about 1 litre of walnut oil. The amount depends on the walnuts quality.
The last thing you need to do is to filter the oil. Take a cheese cloth and pour the oil through it into a clean bowl. It is better to pour the oil into dark small bottles for storing. It is a good idea to label the bottles indicating the date of the oil pressing. Keep your oil in a refrigerator in sealed containers for up to 2 months. More at Konvalia - Best of Nature