Date: 17/11/2023

Vegetable oils are crucial in the food industry and the human diet as the primary source of energy. They also serve important functions in the formulation of numerous ingredients.

In this matter, vegetable oils have been getting the spotlight because of their nutritional benefits and versatile applications.

Vegetable oils are often maligned, however, they are essential for a balanced and healthy diet. Unlike animal oils, vegetable oils are unsaturated and rich in natural nutrients.

The consumption of this type of oil is associated with health benefits. For example, it can help reduce LDL cholesterol, which is considered bad [1].

Besides, research published by the American Heart Association [2] shows that adding food with vegetable oils can prevent the risk of strokes and other diseases that will be discussed later on.

Vegetable oils should not be considered enemies of a healthy diet, because consuming vegetable oils can be a valuable part of a healthy and balanced diet as they are a source of fatty acids, including omega 3 and omega 6, which are crucial for the human body. Additionally, they can improve the flavor and texture of food.

What exactly are vegetable oils and what are their actual benefits?

Vegetable oils are commonly produced from soy, but in the BRF Ingredients' Vegetable Oils Sense line can be found other raw materials:

  • ● Cotton;
  • ● Soy;
  • ● Palm;
  • ● Palmiste.

These oils are a blend of vegetable oils designed to improve food texture, prolong product shelf-life, and enhance flavor and sensory experience. All are present in the BRFi portfolio.

And because of their numerous variety in the food industry and other segments, the vegetable oils developed in BRF Ingredients are versatile for frying, baking, ice cream, filling, and more.

Vegetable oils have numerous benefits for health and Food Ingredients. However, there are 6 reasons for their utility and their different formulations that deserve their topic.

6 reasons to use Vegetable Oils

As it was said, vegetable oils are unsaturated, which means that it doesn't have LDL cholesterol, known as "bad cholesterol". It is a product rich in essential fatty acids that are not produced by human organisms [1], like omega 3-6.

These characteristics are directly connected to human health, where we can highlight:

1. Improving Cardiovascular Health

  • ● Reducing the LDL cholesterol can help cardiovascular health;
  • ● Presence of phytosterols: ingredients that can help reduce cholesterol absorption.

2. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties

  • ● E Vitamin: abundant in vegetable oils, this vitamin acts like an antioxidant, combating free radicals, and protecting the human body against heart diseases;
  • ● Vegetable oils have anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Energy Source

  • ● Vegetable oils are more energy-dense than grass, proteins, and carbohydrates;
  • ● A crucial factor in the food industry, where an efficient supply of energy is important.

4. Replacement for Saturated Fats and Trans Fats

  • ● As cardiovascular health gains more attention, there is a growing tendency to seek alternatives to saturated and trans fats, like vegetable oils;
  • ● The replacement can improve the lipid profile by affecting LDL, HDL, and VLDL levels.

5. Better Absorption of Nutrients Fat-soluble

  • ● Better absorption of vitamins: vegetable oils aid in the efficient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.

6. Sustainable Production

  • ● Lesser impact on the environment: The production of vegetable oils requires fewer natural resources than animal oils.

Vegetable fats are great health allies and have many advantages. However, it is necessary to manage its intake with other components to ensure adequate and balanced nutrition.

Therefore, one point that the food industry tends to focus on in the coming years is the formulation of ingredients based on vegetable oils and fats.

Including to accompany the increase in social awareness about healthier food choices, within a scenario of specific diets, in which fats are an attractive option, such as the BRF Ingredients portfolio.

Vegetable Oils SENSE portfolio: benefits and applications

BRFi's Vegetable Oils Sense guarantees high performance, creaminess, and structure for ingredients and formulations while containing low levels of saturated fat and zero trans fat.

Sense portfolio formulations exhibit high-temperature crystallization performance, making them unique in the food industry due to their health benefits and diverse formulations.

BRF Ingredients' portfolio enhances texture, offers versatility in applications, and contains low levels of trans fat. It includes the following vegetable oils:

● Fat for Frying and Sprinkling

Designed with cottonseed and soybean oils, Sense Fat for Frying and Sprinkling is free from trans fat due to its lack of partial hydrogenation.

It can provide a neutral flavor for frying and/or industrial sprinkling without interfering with the flavor of the final products. It has high yield and stability.

● Fat for Baking

Vegetable oils for baking are produced with palm seeds and soybean oils and are free from trans fat due to their lack of partial hydrogenation.

Developed to enhance the flavors, smells, and texture of cakes, pasta, and doughs, this highly emulsifying ingredient aids in the mixing and homogenization of formulations.

This improves the machinability and lubrication of the dough, resulting in a softer final product.

● Fat for Ice Creams

Like other Sense portfolio formulations, Fats for Ice Creams are trans-fat-free. Developed from palm seed oil, it offers thermal shock resistance and a high air capacity.

The texture of your final product can be greatly influenced by the addition of Sense Fat for Ice Creams. This is because it has the ability to reduce ice crystallization, which promotes softness and enhances the durability of your formulation. Additionally, it can create a creamy sensation.

Considerations

Vegetable oils play a crucial role in the food industry by contributing significantly to texture, flavor, and ingredient stability, in addition to providing energy.

In this context, it is important to highlight the nutritional benefits and versatility of products, dispelling the myth that all fats are harmful.

The food industry, represented by BRF Ingredients's Vegetable Oils portfolio is directing strategies to develop vegetable oils-based formulations.

These formulations offer sustainable options with high performance, creaminess, and structure while maintaining low levels of saturated fats and no trans fat.

The miscellaneous products in BRF Ingredient's portfolio can improve the texture and flavor of food while also addressing concerns for sustainability and healthy choices.

Know more about the Sense Vegetable Oils portfolio, clicking here.

References

[1] Ecycle. Gordura vegetal: o que é e benefícios à saúde. Available: https://www.ecycle.com.br/gordura-vegetal/. Access: November 2023.

[2] Fragoso, João Pedro. Gordura vegetal pode fazer bem para o cérebro até em doses generosas. Available: https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/gordura-vegetal-pode-fazer-bem-para-cerebro-ate-em-doses-generosas-25273206. Access: November 2023.

[3] Silveira, Anahí ; Pinto, Letícia. A diversidade e os benefícios dos óleos vegetais. Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Available: https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/empauta/a-diversidade-e-os-beneficios-dos-oleos-vegetais/. Access: November 2023.

[4] American Heart Association News. Eating a plant-based diet at any age may lower cardiovascular risk. Available: Eating a plant-based diet at any age may lower cardiovascular risk | American Heart Association. Access: November 2023.

[5] National Institutes of Health.NIH study compares low-fat, plant-based diet to low-carb, animal-based diet. Available: NIH study compares low-fat, plant-based diet to low-carb, animal-based diet | National Institutes of Health (NIH). Access: November 2023.

[6] Bhupathiraju, Shilpa N ; Hu, Frank.Carboidratos, proteínas e gorduras. Manual MSD. Available: https://www.msdmanuals.com/pt-br/casa/dist%C3%BArbios-nutricionais/considera%C3%A7%C3%B5es-gerais-sobre-a-nutri%C3%A7%C3%A3o/carboidratos,-prote%C3%ADnas-e-gorduras#:~:text=As%20gorduras%20s%C3%A3o%20a%20fonte,energia%20em%20forma%20de%20gordura. Access: November 2023.