10 Best Refined Oils in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist

Saffola is a well-known and trusted name among Indian households. This Saffola Gold rice bran oil and sunflower oil blend helps keep your cholesterol levels in control and ensures that your family stays heart-healthy. It has a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, and its dual seed technology brings you the goodness of two oils in one.

The Pro healthy lifestyle blend comes with LOSORB technology which claims up to 35% lesser oil absorption in fried food than other commonly consumed cooking oils. Enriched with oryzanol, it, according to studies, helps reduce inflammation and manage cholesterol. The oil is boosted with natural antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin D, which boost immunity help prevent vision and bone weakness-related issues.

It has a high smoking point of 230°C, ideal for all types of cooking. Not only is it FSSAI approved, but it also has an AGMARK symbol which signifies its extremely high quality. It comes in a handy 1L pouch as well as 5-litre and 15-litre cans to suit larger families. Choose Saffola Gold to keep your cholesterol in check and maintain the health of your entire family.

With a history going back more than 100 years, Borges is a trusted name in the seed oil industry. Its products are manufactured in Spain and imported to India and, as such, meets global and export standards related to food safety and quality. Borges canola oil is extracted from a variety of rapeseed low in erucic acid and reduces skin problems. 

Canola Oil is a good source of MUFA, which helps reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. This oil from Borges is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. It contains 7 grams of saturated fats per 100 grams, only a third of other refined oils. It has a neutral flavour and is suitable for all kinds of Indian and international recipes. Go with canola oil for healthy cooking.

The health benefits of virgin olive oil are well-recognised; however, we can't use it in food preparations that require high heat. This situation is where the Disano extra light olive oil is helpful. It is extracted from high-quality olives and has a light taste and aroma ideal for all Indian cooking. Disano's olive oil is manufactured exclusively in Spain before being exported to India.

This oil has a high smoking point of 240°C and is an excellent option for deep frying, roasting, sautéing, and grilling. As it does not have the pungent aroma of virgin olive oil, we can also use it for baking cakes. It is low in saturated fats and contains no trans fats making it cholesterol-free. With a maximum shelf life of 24 months, Disano extra light olive oil is a worthy investment for your health.

Sundrop Heart, launched in 2003, is a scientific blend of physically refined rice bran oil and refined sunflower oil. Tested on Indian subjects, it claims to be the only blended edible vegetable oil scientifically proven to help reduce cholesterol in 30 days. It is rich in a bio-active component, oryzanol, that also helps keep cholesterol levels in check.

This blended oil has less saturated fat than 100% refined rice bran oil and is rich in vitamins A and D2. Include this affordable, AGMARK certified, oryzanol rich oil blend as part of a healthy diet to make tasty food and supplement your healthy lifestyle.

A refined version might seem unhealthy for those who grew up eating foods made in or from pure groundnut oil. However, studies have shown that refining only slightly affects the physical and chemical characteristics of groundnut oil. Therefore, it retains all the nutrients and benefits.

It is an excellent source of vitamin E, which protects the skin from acne or scars. Used in many Asian recipes, groundnut or peanut oil has a high smoking point making it the perfect choice for deep frying your favourite foods. 

Saffola Aura refined olive oil is made from olives sourced from Spain. It is also the first-ever Olive oil blend with Flaxseed oil. These two oils combined provide the benefits of powerful antioxidants and omega-3 in one single oil. This blended oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and only contains 15 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams of oil.

Although refined olive oil is said to have a higher smoking point than virgin olive oil, this blend from Saffola Aura is not ideal for deep frying. It is better suited for everyday cooking like stir-frying, sautéing, roasting, grilling, and baking. Use this light oil for drizzling over salads as well as cooking.

Who doesn't remember the iconic Dhara "jalebi" ad from the early '90s? Launched under the Mother Dairy brand umbrella, Dhara has produced a broad assortment of oil varieties in India since 1988. It is also relatively more affordable than other brands. Dhara Nourish refined sunflower oil is rich in vitamin A and added vitamin D2.

It contains a good amount of PUFA and high amounts of linoleic acid (omega 6), and essential fatty acids that the body cannot naturally produce. However, over-consumption of omega-6 can increase blood pressure levels and lead to blood clots. Go for Dhara Nourish if you prefer oils low in saturated fats and with a high smoking point.

Saffola Active Pro Weight Watchers is another AGMARK certified high-quality edible oil with an unusual blend of refined rice bran oil and soybean oil. Like the Saffola Gold variant, this blend also comes with LOSORB technology. It claims up to 27% lesser oil absorption in fried food, about 5% higher absorption than the Gold blend.

According to studies, oryzanol in the oil helps reduce inflammation and manage cholesterol. The oil is packed with vitamins A and D, which help against night blindness and maintains strong bones. Saffola Active is high in alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), which adds to the preservation of healthy blood cholesterol levels. Support your efforts to stay fit and reduce body fat by choosing Saffola Active!

Hudson canola oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins help keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Rich in omega-3 and omega-6, this canola oil is low in saturated fat, which helps control and maintain cholesterol levels.

It is also high in MUFA and helps control blood glucose, making it a healthy choice for people with type 2 diabetes. This oil can be used for all kinds of Indian cooking and is also suitable for western cooking and baking thanks to its neutral flavour.

Hudson canola oil promises low absorption and claims to be certified by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). However, the IMA legal certificate on the official website appears to be missing. It has excellent reviews online about its good taste and low oil absorption, and you can easily purchase it in quantities suitable for your family. So, if you're interested in trying a healthy and famous brand of canola oil, go for this product from Hudson.

Fortune is one of the most prevalent refined oil brands in India. This 100% physically refined rice bran oil from Fortune is rich in gamma-oryzanol. As mentioned earlier, oryzanol helps decrease harmful LDL cholesterol. It raises good HDL cholesterol levels, making it beneficial for your heart health. 

It is boosted with added vitamins A, D and E, and contains natural antioxidants which promote immunity. While it has a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, it contains the highest amount of undesirable saturated fats per 100 grams compared to the other refined oils on our list. It is ideal for Indian cuisine as it has a high smoke point.

Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by transporting sugar from your blood into your cells. Though, if you become insulin resistant, more sugar stays in your blood. If maintaining your blood sugar levels is difficult, try rice bran oil. It is known to improve insulin resistance and is suitable for managing type-2 diabetes.