Avocado or olive, sunflower or peanut; cooking oil can be a slippery customer when it comes to choosing a variety fit for purpose.
The “good versus bad” fats debate will always rage, but what differentiates cooking oils is their composition and understanding this can be a bit challenging.
The ratio of saturated, monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats that make up each type of oil determines the effect on our well-being, as well as its suitability for specific cooking techniques.
Archana Baju, clinical dietitian at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, says it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each fat before reaching for your usual oil. “The most beneficial oils health-wise are those that contain monosaturated fat, and this includes light-coloured olive oil for cooking and canola oil for baking,” she explains.
It gets a little complicated when considering polyunsaturated fats. “There are two types – omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 is usually found in oils such as canola, and a certain amount in soybean oil and walnut oil. Omega-6 is found mostly in liquid vegetable oils such as soybean, corn and safflower,” she adds. Our bodies need both of these fatty acids, but in balance (more omega-3s, which are anti-inflammatory and essential for development, and less omega-6s, which can cause inflammation when over-consumed), and certain oils such as soybean and sunflower are loaded with omega-6s.
Baju is firmly against trans-fats, which are formed when oil is processed using hydrogenation (to make them solid at room temperature), and found in processed foods and snacks. She says trans-fats are unsafe and should be avoided at all costs. Rounding up the list is saturated fat, “which can be healthy if used in moderation”.
The next challenge is understanding which oil to choose when cooking at high temperatures. Using an “unstable” oil can lead to oxidation, in which free radicals and other potentially toxic compounds such as aldehydes are released, and which have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease and other diseases. “Simply put, saturated fats and monounsaturated fats are resistant to heating, but oils that are high in polyunsaturated fats should be avoided for cooking,” she says.
A research study by scientists at De Montfort University in the United Kingdom in 2015 found that cooking with sunflower and corn oil at high temperatures produced aldehydes at levels 20 times greater than those recommended by the World Health Organization, with olive and rapeseed oils producing considerably lower quantities.
Advocates of the clean eating movement recommend avoiding processed foods, including hydrogenated vegetable cooking oils, in favour of all-natural alternatives. Our grandmothers cooked with butter and goose fat, and this is undergoing something of a resurgence. “The use of traditional fats is better than processed as the latter loses a significant amount of nutrients in the process. However, traditional fats also need to be consumed in moderation,” says Baju.
Another trending oil is coconut, but it’s a love or hate thing, with detractors highlighting its high saturated-fat content of 90 per cent (versus butter at 64 per cent), which is a cholesterol red flag, while its fans reel off a list of health benefits.
“The significant percentage of saturated fat makes it great for cooking as it is resistant to heat. It also offers extreme health benefits. It can improve cholesterol and help kill bacteria and other pathogens. The fats in coconut oil are also known to boost metabolism in addition to making us feel less hungry,” says Baju.
A 2009 study of obese young women in Brazil, published in the journal Lipids, found that those who consumed two tablespoons of coconut oil per day for three months saw increases in their good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, but that HDL levels were respectively greater. The jury is still out.
Organic, expeller-pressed and cold-pressed oils are also being proffered as a healthier alternative. Baju agrees: “Compared to other refined oils, cold-pressed oils retain the vitamins, minerals and fatty-acid bonds.”
Finding these alternatives on the average supermarket shelf isn’t easy, and with one tablespoon of cooking oil averaging around 120 calories and 13 grams of fat, she notes that moderation is key. “Where possible, use the least amount of fat possible, such as non-fat cooking sprays. If you are using the oil for cooking or for making dressings, try to use those lowest in saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol, such as canola, corn, olive or sunflower oil.”
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
EMIRATES'S REVISED A350 DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULE
Edinburgh: November 4 (unchanged)
Bahrain: November 15 (from September 15); second daily service from January 1
Kuwait: November 15 (from September 16)
Mumbai: January 1 (from October 27)
Ahmedabad: January 1 (from October 27)
Colombo: January 2 (from January 1)
Muscat: March 1 (from December 1)
Lyon: March 1 (from December 1)
Bologna: March 1 (from December 1)
Source: Emirates
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000
Kanye West
Ye — the rapper formerly known as Kanye West — has seen his net worth fall to $400 million in recent weeks. That’s a precipitous drop from Bloomberg’s estimates of $6.8 billion at the end of 2021.
Ye’s wealth plunged after business partners, including Adidas, severed ties with him on the back of anti-Semitic remarks earlier this year.
West’s present net worth derives from cash, his music, real estate and a stake in former wife Kim Kardashian’s shapewear firm, Skims.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
MEDIEVIL (1998)
Developer: SCE Studio Cambridge
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Console: PlayStation, PlayStation 4 and 5
Rating: 3.5/5
SPEC+SHEET:+SAMSUNG+GALAXY+Z+FOLD6
Main+display: 7.6"+QXGA++Dynamic+Amoled+2X,+Infinity+Flex,+2160+x+1856,+374ppi,+HDR10+,+up+to+120Hz,+2600+nits+peak
Cover+display: 6.3"+HD++Dynamic+Amoled+2X,+2376+x+968,+402ppi,+up+to+120Hz,+2600+nits+peak
Processor: Qualcomm+Snapdragon+8+Gen+3,+4nm,+octa-core;+Adreno+750+GPU
Memory:+12GB
Capacity: 256GB/512GB/1TB
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
FULL FIGHT CARD
Featherweight Bout:
Abdullah Al Qahtani v Taha Bendaoud
Bantamweight Bout:
Ali Taleb v Nawras Abzakh
Bantamweight Bout:
Xavier Alaoui v Rachid El Hazoume
Featherweight Bout:
Islam Reda v Adam Meskini
Bantamweight Bout:
Tariq Ismail v Jalal Al Daaja
Bantamweight Bout:
Elias Boudegzdame v Hassan Mandour
Amateur Female Atomweight Bout:
Hattan Al Saif v Nada Faheem
Featherweight Bout:
Maraoune Bellagouit v Motaz Askar
Featherweight Bout:
Ahmed Tarek v Abdelrahman Alhyasat
Showcase Featherweight Bout:
Mido Mohamed v Yazeed Hasanain
Showcase Flyweight Bout:
Malik Basahel v Harsh Pandya
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Confirmed bouts (more to be added)
Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez
Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
Fixtures
Wednesday, April 3
Arsenal v Luton Town, 10.30pm (UAE)
Manchester City v Aston Villa, 11.15pm (UAE)
Thursday, April 4
Liverpool v Sheffield United, 10.30pm (UAE)
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”