Beyond Taste and Tradition: How the Oils We Choose Shape Our Health and Habits

Step into any kitchen and you’ll learn a lot about how a household eats and lives not from what’s on the counter or in the fridge, but from what quietly sits near the stove: the oil.

Oil is an essential ingredient in nearly every dish, yet it often receives the least attention. Most of us buy it out of habit, usually reaching for whatever promises to be “light,” “refined,” or “cholesterol-free.”

But there’s one simple truth we’ve learned through years of working with food and nutrition: the oil you cook with doesn’t just flavour your meal; it influences your health in ways you might not realise.

A Tradition Rooted in Wisdom

In Indian homes, food has never been just about sustenance. Generations before us understood that wellness was measured in ladles of oil and spoons of ghee, long before labels read “organic” or “cold-pressed.”

They believed that food, when prepared with purity and intention, held the power to heal.

And they were right. Even today, many of us eat better ingredients than ever before, yet often feel more tired or heavy after meals. The reason lies in plain sight: the oil we use every single day.

The Hidden Cost of Convenience

Refined oils were once celebrated for their clarity and long shelf life. They looked pure but were far from it. To make them appear perfect, they’re heated at high temperatures, bleached, and deodorised, stripping away the natural nutrients our bodies need.

The result? Oil that cooks beautifully but nourishes poorly. It fills the stomach, not the system.

That familiar post-meal heaviness, the afternoon fatigue, or the feeling that food “doesn’t sit right” are subtle signals that the body is out of balance.

The Ayurvedic Perspective: Fire and Flow

In Ayurveda, this internal balance is called Agni, the digestive fire that fuels vitality. When we eat foods that are overly processed, cold, or stripped of life energy, that fire weakens. Over time, it affects everything from metabolism to mood.

Cold-pressed oils, in contrast, are extracted gently without heat. This preserves their natural vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, restoring what Ayurveda calls Prana, or living energy. They don’t just cook food; they revitalise it.

Each Oil Has Its Own Rhythm

In Ayurvedic wisdom, oils are more than cooking mediums; they are carriers of life force. Each one offers unique properties that support balance and well-being.

Mustard oil warms the body, improves circulation, and supports digestion in colder months. Coconut oil cools and nourishes, ideal for soothing heat or stress. Sesame oil grounds and strengthens, promoting stability and joint health. Flaxseed oil, rich in Omega-3s, replenishes nutrients often missing from modern diets. Groundnut and sunflower oils, when cold-pressed, offer steady, neutral energy that keeps the body light and sustained.

Choosing the right oil isn’t about trends; it’s about understanding your body’s needs and the season’s rhythm.

A Slower, More Mindful Kitchen

Modern living pushes us to cook faster, eat quicker, and move on. But nourishment begins when we slow down. Pause for a moment. Smell the oil as it warms. Watch how it interacts with your spices. Notice its aroma, texture, and movement.

This awareness is where healthy cooking truly begins. Cooking isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s an exchange of energy between you and what you create. And that exchange is most powerful when the ingredients are pure.

Purity Is Our Philosophy

At Nuova, this belief shapes everything we do. Our cold-pressed oils are crafted slowly, in small batches, to retain what nature intended. No chemicals. No artificial shine. Just seeds, patience, and respect for the process.

In today’s fast-paced world, purity isn’t a luxury; it’s wisdom rediscovered. It connects modern nutritional science with the timeless principles of Ayurveda, reminding us that true nourishment is simple, balanced, and found right in our kitchens.

The Smallest Choice, the Biggest Difference

The next time you pour oil into your pan, take a moment to reflect: Is this oil nourishing your body, or merely filling your plate?

Even the smallest decisions, like the oil you cook with, shape how your day feels, how your body performs, and how your health evolves over time.

At Nuova, we believe food can heal, but only if we allow it to remain honest.

Cook slowly. Eat mindfully. Live purely the Nuova way.