Why Wood-Pressed Oils Are Better Than Refined Oils?

In recent years, more people are paying attention to what goes into their food—and for good reason. The oil you cook with plays a major role in your overall health. It affects not just how your food tastes, but how your body processes and benefits from it.

With the rise of lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, many are re-evaluating their cooking habits. One of the most overlooked, yet crucial, changes you can make is switching to healthier cooking oil alternatives.

That’s where wood-pressed oils come into the picture.

Unlike the refined oils you see on supermarket shelves, wood-pressed oils are made using traditional oil extraction methods that have been around for centuries. These oils retain their nutrients, flavor, and natural properties—making them not just safer, but significantly more beneficial for everyday cooking.

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the benefits of wood-pressed oils, how they differ from refined oils, and why making this switch could be one of the best decisions for your long-term health.

What Are Wood-Pressed Oils?

To put it simply, wood-pressed oils (sometimes referred to as cold-pressed oils) are extracted using a wooden press, also called a “Ghani” or “Chekku.” This method involves crushing oilseeds at low temperatures (usually below 45°C) without using heat or chemicals. As a result, the oil comes out in its most natural, unprocessed form.

The Process

Here’s how it works:

1. Oil-rich seeds like groundnuts, sesame, or coconut are placed into a wooden press.

2. The wooden churn slowly grinds the seeds, allowing the oil to seep out.

3. The oil is then collected, filtered (without refining), and stored for use.

Because no artificial heat is applied, the oil retains all of its natural vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It also carries a deep aroma and rich taste, which are often missing in store-bought refined oils.

This method dates back thousands of years and is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic and traditional Indian practices. Today, it’s being rediscovered by health-conscious consumers looking for chemical-free cooking oils that offer real nutritional value.

How Are Refined Oils Made?

Refined oils, by contrast, go through an industrial process that includes bleaching, deodorizing, and the use of chemical solvents like hexane. This method is designed to increase the oil’s shelf life and make it visually appealing, but it comes at a cost—nutrition.

Let’s break it down:

The Refining Process

1. Extraction using solvents – Chemicals like hexane are used to pull out the oil from seeds.

2. Degumming – Removes natural gums and resins.

3. Neutralization – Adds lye or caustic soda to remove free fatty acids.

4. Bleaching – Uses clay or charcoal to remove natural color and pigments.

5. Deodorizing – Steam is applied at very high temperatures (up to 240°C) to remove smell.

Every step above removes or damages nutrients, strips away antioxidants, and reduces the oil’s original flavor. The final product is shelf-stable and visually clear but offers very little in terms of health benefits.

Even worse, refined oils may contain trace amounts of chemical residues, which accumulate in your body over time. According to a 2017 report published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, long-term consumption of heavily refined oils may increase oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to metabolic disorders.

Why It Matters?

While refined oils are cheap and widely available, they are not healthy cooking oil alternatives. They're processed to look and smell neutral, but this comes at the expense of your well-being. Their consumption has been linked to:

1. Lowered immunity
2. Hormonal imbalance
3. Increased risk of heart disease

That’s why health experts are now encouraging people to return to chemical-free cooking oils, especially wood-pressed oils, which are free from synthetic additives.

Traditional Oil Extraction Methods vs. Modern Refining

Understanding the core difference between how oils are made gives us real insight into their impact on our health. The way an oil is extracted can either preserve its natural goodness or destroy most of its nutrients.

Traditional Oil Extraction: Gentle and Natural

Wood-pressed oils are made using traditional oil extraction methods, which are slow, natural, and nutrient-preserving.

In these methods:

1. Oilseeds like sesame, groundnut, or coconut are crushed using a wooden press (called “Ghani” or “Chekku”).
2. The crushing happens at low temperatures, usually below 45°C.
3. No chemicals, preservatives, or external heat are involved.

This ensures that the oil retains:

1. Its natural vitamins (like Vitamin E)
2. Essential fatty acids (such as omega-3 and omega-6)
3. Antioxidants, which help fight inflammation in the body

The result is a pure, chemical-free cooking oil that is both flavorful and nourishing.

This method has been used in India and other ancient cultures for centuries. It’s time-tested and doesn’t involve industrial shortcuts. It honors the natural properties of the seed, giving you an oil that actually supports your health.

Modern Refining: Quick, Cheap, and Deceptive

Now, contrast that with the modern refining process. In commercial refineries:

1. Oil is extracted using solvents like hexane (a chemical also used in glue and degreasers)
2. It’s then heated to extreme temperatures (up to 240°C)
3. Additives are used to bleach the oil and remove odor
4. Sometimes, preservatives or synthetic vitamins are added back

This approach prioritizes shelf life and profit over health. It strips away the oil’s natural nutrients, then masks the damage with additives to make it look and smell “clean.”

This is why many refined oils are odorless, colorless, and tasteless—they’ve been processed to the point of being nearly inert.

Benefits of Wood-Pressed Oils

When it comes to choosing a truly healthy cooking oil alternative, wood-pressed oils stand out for their many benefits—not just for your health, but for your taste buds too.

Here’s why switching to wood-pressed oils can be a smart, long-term move:

1. Rich in Natural Nutrients

Because they are extracted without heat or chemicals, wood-pressed oils retain their:

a. Vitamin E, which helps protect your skin and immune system

b. Polyunsaturated fats, which support heart health

c. Antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and slow down aging

These nutrients are often destroyed during the refining process, making refined oils nutritionally poor in comparison.

2. Supports Heart and Metabolic Health

Using chemical-free cooking oils like wood-pressed groundnut or sesame oil can:

a. Help lower bad cholesterol (LDL)

b. Improve good cholesterol (HDL)

c. Reduce the risk of heart disease and hypertension

This is especially important for people with metabolic disorders or a family history of heart disease.

3. Easier to Digest

Wood-pressed oils are lighter on the stomach and easier for your body to metabolize. Many users report fewer digestion issues and a noticeable difference in how “heavy” their food feels after cooking with these oils.

4. Better Taste and Aroma

Because the natural compounds aren’t destroyed during extraction, these oils have a richer aroma and deeper flavor. For example, wood-pressed sesame oil adds a nutty, earthy taste to your dishes that refined oils simply can’t match.

So, if you care about flavor as much as nutrition, wood-pressed oils are a clear winner.

Refined vs Cold-Pressed Oils: Key Differences

It’s easy to get confused by labels like “refined,” “cold-pressed,” or even “organic.” But once you understand how they differ, the choice becomes clearer.

Here’s a table comparing refined vs cold-pressed oils (including wood-pressed oils, which are a type of cold-pressed oil using traditional wooden equipment):

This comparison highlights why wood-pressed oils are better than refined oils on every meaningful level—health, flavor, and tradition.

Why Switch to Chemical-Free Cooking Oils?

We often focus on buying organic fruits and vegetables, but what about the oil we cook them in? Cooking oil is used in almost every meal, and if it contains chemicals, so does your food—daily.

Most refined oils go through a heavy chemical treatment process. Substances like hexane (a petroleum by-product), caustic soda, and bleaching agents are commonly used to improve shelf life and make the oil look cleaner. However, even after processing, tiny residues of these chemicals may remain in the final product.

These chemicals don’t just vanish. They accumulate in the body over time, leading to problems like:

a. Hormonal disruptions

b. Increased oxidative stress

c. Higher risk of chronic diseases

On the other hand, chemical-free cooking oils like wood-pressed oils are made without any of these synthetic substances. They come from simple, traditional oil extraction methods using wooden presses. No additives. No preservatives. Just pure oil from the seed.

Why This Matters for Your Health?

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives explained that repeated exposure to food-grade solvents, even in small amounts, can impact liver function and hormone balance over time. You can read more on that here.

Switching to wood-pressed oils allows you to cook with confidence—knowing your oil is as clean as your ingredients.

Healthy Cooking Oil Alternatives: What to Look For?

When it comes to choosing a better cooking oil, it’s not enough to simply avoid refined oils. You also need to understand what makes an oil a healthy cooking oil alternative.

Here are some things to look for when buying oil:

1. Look for the Term: Wood-Pressed or Cold-Pressed

Not all oils labeled "cold-pressed" are the same. Wood-pressed oils are a specific type of cold-pressed oil, made using wooden churners rather than metal machinery. This helps avoid heat buildup and metal contamination during extraction.

Make sure the label mentions “wood-pressed,” “Chekku,” or “Ghani.”

2. Choose Unrefined and Unbleached Oils

Avoid anything that mentions “refined,” “light,” or “odorless.” These usually indicate that the oil has gone through heavy processing. Instead, look for oils labeled as unrefined, virgin, or raw.

3. Prefer Oils in Dark Glass Bottles or Steel Containers

Packaging matters too. Light and plastic can degrade the quality of oil over time. Always go for oils stored in dark glass bottles or stainless steel cans. These help maintain freshness and nutrient stability.

4. Best Healthy Cooking Oil Alternatives You Can Try:

a. Wood-Pressed Groundnut Oil – Great for Indian cooking

b. Wood-Pressed Sesame Oil – Rich in antioxidants and great for immunity

c. Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil – Boosts brain function and supports digestion

d. Wood-Pressed Mustard Oil – Excellent for heart health and rich in omega-3s

Each of these is a safer, more wholesome replacement for refined sunflower, soybean, or canola oils.

Conclusion

If you've been wondering whether your cooking oil matters—it absolutely does. What you fry, sauté, or bake with directly affects your health, energy levels, and even how your food tastes.

Switching to wood-pressed oils is one of the simplest and most powerful changes you can make for your well-being. These oils are made using traditional oil extraction methods that respect nature, preserve nutrients, and steer clear of harmful chemicals.

Let’s recap the core reasons why wood-pressed oils are better than refined oils:

a. They’re chemical-free cooking oils

b. They preserve vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids

c. They support heart health and digestion

d. They offer a natural, authentic flavor to your meals

e. They’re a sustainable, healthy cooking oil alternative

In short, they align perfectly with the growing movement toward clean eating and mindful living.

Your body deserves better than chemically stripped oils. Make the switch. Start with a bottle of wood-pressed sesame or groundnut oil, and taste the difference for yourself—your heart, gut, and taste buds will thank you.