One trend that doesn't seem to go away is that of a healthy and green lifestyle. This lifestyle includes the products that a person buys, such as their clothes and food.
Food, in particular, has been thoroughly subjected to a green cleansing due in part to media reporting, and the awareness of the benefits of a green lifestyle.
One food item that many people start to phase out at the beginning of their green lifestyle journey is unhealthy oils. Instead of traditional, unhealthy fats, they opt to use healthier and cleaner alternatives.
A popular alternative to fatty oils is Siberian pine nut oil. In this article, we will cover the basics and everything there is to know about the pine nut oil benefits and more.
Jump to:
Recommended
What is pine nut oil?
Before delving into the Siberian pine nut oil benefits, let's give a little background on the product itself.
Siberian pine nut oil is a type of vegetable oil called pine seed oil or cedar nut oil. Pine nut oil is most common in regions where pine trees thrive, such as North America and Europe. The pine nut oil from trees in this region is used for cooking because of its formulation.
On the other hand, Siberian pine nut oil is made from trees that grow in some of the coldest climates on Earth, namely Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The pine nut oil made from pine trees in this region is more suitable for medicinal purposes. Pine nut oil from Korea and China is also more apt for medical uses.
The oil itself is made from the edible kernels or seeds (also known as pine nuts) of the pine, and the oil quality depends on the species of pine from which the oil was extracted.
Because of the quality of the oil and the pine nut oil benefits from this region, many believe that Siberian pine nut oil is superior to the other varieties such as American pine nut oil (also known as pifiions) and European pine nut oil (also known as pignoli).
The uses of pine nut oil
Siberian pine nut oil has a history as rich as the oil itself. Ancient Russians traditionally used it as a culinary oil. Pine nut oil was also one of the drivers of the economy in the region back in the day.
Nowadays, Siberian pine nut oil is used for different things as well. Modern science has revealed the pine nut oil benefits for the skin, as well as Siberian pine nut oil benefits for the nourishment of the hair and scalp.
The oil is also still used in cooking to varying degrees. Some people use it as a topping while others like to cook with it.
What are the benefits of pine nut oil?
As mentioned in the previous section, pine nut oil benefits are quite numerous, mainly due to the high amount of vitamins and nutrients that are present in its composition.
1. Source of antioxidants
One of the main reasons why Siberian pine nut oil’s health benefits are numerous is because of its high concentration of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are substances that can be found in food and other products. They help the cells in your body combat the so-called "free radicals." Free radicals are pesky, unstable atoms that speed up the effects of aging and increase the risk of illness.
Antioxidants work to help prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc on your body. Pine nuts are already rich in these substances, so purifying them and using them in their oil form significantly boosts the antioxidant effects.
Adding antioxidants to your diet is an excellent way to remain healthy and look young. However, health experts do not advise the consumption of antioxidant supplements as they can radically alter your body's internal balance. Instead, opting for natural, clean, and green sources of antioxidants such as pine nut oil is a better choice.
2. Source of pinolenic acid
Pinolenic acid is a substance found in pine trees and their derivative products, like pine nut oils. The highest percentage of this acid is found in Siberian pine nuts and Siberian pine nut oils.
Pinolenic acid is a fatty acid that has a unique and effective appetite-suppressing effect. Using products rich in this fatty acid in the proper dosage can be helpful for weight loss.
3. Source of vitamins
Aside from antioxidants and pinolenic acid, Siberian pine nut oil is also rich in several essential vitamins. In particular, it contains a significant amount of vitamin E and vitamin F.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow the effects of aging and reduce the risk of acquiring life-threatening diseases such as heart disease. The human body is not capable of making vitamin E. That is why it is essential to get enough of this vitamin from your diet.
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, consuming vitamin E is also a great way to manage the complications brought about by diabetes. Some studies show that vitamin E helps slow the onset of the disease and ease the symptoms that come along with it.
Vitamin E is also great for wound healing and sunlight damage protection. It is also a popular ingredient in cosmetics and skincare because of its antioxidant properties.
Vitamin F
Vitamin F is misleading in name, as it refers to two fats essential for bodily functions and brain and heart health. These two fats are ALA or alpha-linolenic and LA or linolenic.
Despite being "fats," ALA and LA are crucial to many of the body's processes. They are an excellent calorie source, meaning they provide energy for the body to complete its functions. Aside from this, ALA and LA also provide structure and flexibility to most cells because these two fats are integral parts of a cell's outer layer.
ALA and LA are also significant in the development of the brain, vision, and body. Siberian pine nut oil is an excellent source for ALA and LA, more commonly known as Vitamin F.
4. Source of minerals
Pine nut oil is also a great way to incorporate healthy minerals into your lifestyle. It contains significant levels of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, cobalt, and iodine.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a mineral that the human body needs to develop bones and teeth correctly. It makes up a whopping 1% of a person's total body weight and is present in almost every cell of the body. This makes phosphorus the second most abundant mineral that is present in the human body.
Aside from its use in the development of bones and teeth, this mineral is also needed to make protein used for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells. It is also utilized in the creation of a protein called ATP, which is where energy is stored.
Lastly, phosphorus is necessary for the functions that dictate how carbs and fats are used by the body.
With all its benefits, eating foods that are a reliable source of phosphorus, such as pine nut oil, is important.
Calcium
Calcium is another mineral that plays a central role in the development of bones and teeth, as well as strengthening them so they can withstand pressure. The heart, muscles, and nerves also need this mineral to function correctly.
Aside from this, calcium has also been linked to protecting the body against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
The body does not produce calcium by itself. Instead, it gets most of its calcium from food. Siberian pine nut oil has the calcium that the body needs.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in many of the body's biochemical processes, such as energy creation, gene maintenance, protein formation, muscle movements, and nervous system regulation.
Aside from this, it is also linked to boosting exercise performance because it helps move blood sugar to your muscles. While it does that, magnesium also disposes of lactate which contributes to the feeling of fatigue. Some studies on athletes have supported these claims.
Lastly, magnesium is also linked to brain health. In particular, it helps combat depression. Magnesium can be found in many foods including pine nut oil.
Manganese
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs in small amounts. However, this small amount can go a very long way because it is essential to brain, nervous, and enzyme system functions.
In combination with other nutrients, manganese has been linked to improved bone health. It has also been proven to lower the risk of certain diseases because of its potent antioxidant properties. Manganese also helps reduce inflammation when used in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Manganese has a host of other benefits to the body. Siberian pine nut oil has a sizable amount of manganese, making it an excellent way to incorporate the mineral into your diet.
Zinc
The body obtains zinc through various foods such as pine nut oil. This mineral is essential to health and well-being because of its nourishing properties.
Zinc is primarily associated with immunity and metabolic functions. Without zinc, these functions would be severely compromised, which in turn compromises your entire body's well-being.
Aside from this, zinc is also crucial to the repair and healing of wounds and to one's sense of taste and smell. Zinc also helps with diarrhea and with age-related macular degeneration.
Cobalt
The human body needs cobalt for the efficient absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is involved in the body's metabolic processes, DNA synthesis, among others.
Cobalt is also used in treating anemia and other infectious diseases. It is also essential in repairing a substance called myelin, which is the nerves' protective layer. Lastly, cobalt also plays a role in the production of hemoglobin which is essential in transporting oxygen to various parts of the human body.
With that said, it is clear that cobalt, despite its relative obscurity, is an important mineral, and luckily, it can be found in Siberian pine nut oil.
How do you add pine nut oil to your lifestyle?
You can add Siberian pine nut oil to your lifestyle in various ways. You can use it in your skincare or even your food! Some people like to sprinkle a little oil on their salad or bread to enhance the flavor.
However, be wary of the Siberian pine nut oil side effects that may occur when consumed in excess. Signs of side effects may include:
- Redness
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Dry skin
- Swelling
- Peeling skin
Should you experience any of these effects, stop using immediately and seek medical advice.
Conclusion
Siberian pine nut oil is a popular alternative to harmful oils that are mass-produced and sold commercially. The oil is made from healthy pine nuts and is rife with health benefits that target various body parts.
Using pine nut oil is a sure-fire way to keep you and your body in the best condition possible. However, like all things, it is best to use this item in moderation to avoid any adverse effects.
Recommended
Comments
No Comments