Something strange has been happening on Indian social media over the last few years.
Refined oil : the same bottle that has been sitting in Indian kitchens for generations has been declared a slow poison. People are being told it causes inflammation, destroys gut health, clogs arteries and must be replaced immediately with something cold-pressed, ancient, and expensive.
It is a compelling story. It is also mostly not true.
What Does “Refined” Actually Mean?
The word “refined” sounds industrial, but the process itself is straightforward:
Refining removes free fatty acids, moisture, impurities, and compounds that cause oil to smell or taste unpleasant. What remains is a clean, neutral-tasting oil with a consistent smoke point, which is exactly what most everyday Indian cooking needs.
Refined soybean and sunflower oils have unsaturated fats like all oils. Research does not support the claims that eating them in normal amounts causes disease.
What actually matters is:
- How much you eat : excess is always bad
- How you cook : Do not heat your oil again and again
- Your overall diet : No single ingredient decides your health
We have also covered the topic in our video : https://www.instagram.com/p/DWQZXmpgN-v/
Influencers selling FEAR?
The health influencer economy is built on creating anxiety about ordinary food and then offering a solution: usually a supplement, a premium product or a course. The more frightened you are of your kitchen staples, the more dependent you become on their alternatives.
This does not mean cold-pressed or traditional oils are bad.
It means the framing of “refined oil = poison” is dishonest and understanding that distinction is important for making actual informed choices.
What You Should Actually Do
Use what works for your cooking style and budget. Here is a simple guide:
- Refined soybean oil : Neutral taste, high smoke point, great for everyday sabzi, tadka, and frying
- Refined sunflower oil : Light on the palate, good for baking and medium-heat cooking
- Cold-pressed mustard oil : Strong flavour, traditional use in North and East Indian cooking, excellent for marinades and pickles
The goal is not to use one and fear the others.
The goal is to cook well, with good quality oil, in sensible quantities.
Ajanta’s Promise: Every bottle of Ajanta refined soybean oil and refined sunflower oil is made for the home cook who wants quality without the noise. Clean oil. Consistent quality. No unnecessary fear, and no unnecessary premium.
Order directly from: ajantasoya.com/shop
