Is Elianto Oil Healthier than Normal Vegetable Oils?

Growing up, many of us were convinced that Elianto oil was the golden child of cooking oils, the healthier alternative to regular vegetable oil. This belief was often reinforced by slick commercials and everyone’s favorite aunt at family gatherings who always seemed to know better.

But how true is this claim from a scientific and nutritional standpoint? Is it possible that this perception is just the result of clever marketing by corporations? Let’s dig into the nutritional differences between Elianto oil and regular vegetable oil, and see if the higher price tag is really justified.

Table of Contents

What’s the Deal with Elianto Oil?

Elianto oil is basically corn oil. Corn oil is extracted from the germ of corn kernels and is known for its high smoke point, making it a popular choice for frying and high-heat cooking. It’s often touted as a healthier option due to its lower levels of saturated fats compared to other oils.

Nutritional Showdown

Nutrient/Characteristic	Elianto (Corn) Oil	Regular Vegetable Oil
Calories	120 per tablespoon	120 per tablespoon
Total Fat	14 g	14 g
– Saturated Fat	2 g	2 g
– Monounsaturated Fat	4 g	3 g
– Polyunsaturated Fat	8 g	9 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids	High	Varies
Vitamin E	15% of the Daily Value (DV)	10% of the Daily Value (DV)
Smoke Point	450°F (232°C)	400-450°F (204-232°C)

Elianto (Corn) Oil

Calories: 120 per tablespoon
Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: High
Vitamin E: 15% of the Daily Value (DV)
Smoke Point: 450°F (232°C)

Regular Vegetable Oil

Calories: 120 per tablespoon
Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 9 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Varies
Vitamin E: 10% of the DV
Smoke Point: 400-450°F (204-232°C)

Breaking It Down

Saturated Fats

Both Elianto oil and regular vegetable oil have low levels of saturated fats. This is good news for your heart because too much-saturated fat can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. So, both oils are pretty solid choices here and are on the low end when comparing saturated fats as seen above.

Animal fats and coconut oils contain the highest amounts of saturated fats, and therefore should be consumed or used in moderation, its okay to use vegetable, corn or canola oil daily, but the same can’t be said about coconut oil, lard, tallow , full cream milk and butter from the saturated fats standpoint.

Also Read: How to Make Tallow From Beef Bone Broth

Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are great for heart health, helping to lower bad cholesterol levels. Elianto (corn oil) and vegetable oil are quite similar in this regard.

Polyunsaturated fats, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, are essential fats our body needs but can’t produce. Corn oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids. While omega-6s are important, having too much compared to omega-3s can cause inflammation. So, balance is key here.

Omega 6 is easier to get from most foods compared to Omega 3, most people get 10x more 6 than 3. The only thing where omega 3 wins seems to be fish, especially sardines and omena, if you can’t then you should consider original blue band it is fortified with both omega 3 and 6

Also Read: Omena Benefits: The Protein, Omega-3 & Calcium Powerhouse

Vitamin E Content

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells. Both Elianto and regular vegetable oil provide a decent amount of vitamin E, which is great for your skin and overall health.

The Smoke Point Advantage

The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it starts to smoke and break down. Higher smoke points are better for frying and high-heat cooking.

Elianto oil has a higher smoke point (232°C) compared to some regular vegetable oils (204-232°C), making it a bit more versatile for those intense cooking sessions. But the margin is so small to significantly make a difference

Healthier Oil Alternatives

If you’re looking for healthier oil choices, here are some top contenders:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Rich in monounsaturated fats
Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
Great for heart health
Smoke Point: 375°F (191°C)

Avocado Oil

High in monounsaturated fats
Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins
Perfect for high-heat cooking
Smoke Point: 520°F (271°C)

Flaxseed Oil

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Ideal for cold dishes like salads and smoothies
Smoke Point: 225°F (107°C)

Conclusion

So, is Elianto oil really the health hero it’s made out to be? From a nutritional perspective, Elianto (corn oil) doesn’t offer massive advantages over regular vegetable oil.

Its high smoke point is a plus for high-heat cooking, but the differences in fat content and vitamins aren’t substantial enough to justify its higher price, which is infact double.

If you’re after healthier options, you might want to look at oils like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or flaxseed oil. These oils offer more significant health benefits, so even if they cost more than vegetable oils, they are worth it in the end.

So, in conclusion, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to spend double the amount of money on Elianto, the only advantage you are getting is the negligibly better smoke point, and to be real, the smoke point of vegetable oil is actually enough for most high-heat applications especially deep frying and searing.

So don’t waste your money guys 🙂

Check out the best of the normal vegetable oils from the link below for cheaper.

Read: Grocery Guide: The 10 Best Cooking Oils in Kenya