Why Cold Press Mustard Oil
Is India's Healthiest Cooking Oil

Cold-press mustard oil has one of the best Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratios among all cooking oils — approximately 1:2, compared to sunflower oil's 1:40. This balance actively reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and supports healthy triglyceride levels. Studies from AIIMS Delhi found mustard oil users had significantly lower rates of cardiac events compared to those using refined vegetable oils.

Cold-press mustard oil has a smoke point of approximately 480°F (249°C) — higher than extra virgin olive oil (375°F) and coconut oil (350°F). This means it produces fewer harmful free radicals and aldehydes when used for tadka, deep frying or sautéing. The oil remains stable and does not oxidise at typical Indian cooking temperatures.

The compound that gives mustard oil its characteristic pungency — allyl isothiocyanate — has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory properties in clinical research. Regular consumption is associated with reduced markers of systemic inflammation (CRP levels). This is why mustard oil massage has been used in Ayurvedic practice for joint pain and muscle stiffness for centuries.

Mustard oil is one of the richest plant sources of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) — an Omega-3 fatty acid that the brain converts to DHA and EPA. Regular dietary intake of ALA is linked to improved cognitive function, reduced risk of neurodegenerative conditions, and better mood regulation. Cold-press extraction preserves ALA that heat-refining destroys.

In Ayurveda, mustard oil (Sarson tel) is classified as a Kapha-pacifying oil with Ushna (warming) properties. It is prescribed for Abhyanga (self-massage) to improve circulation, reduce Vata imbalances, and strengthen the nervous system. The Charaka Samhita specifically recommends mustard oil for skin conditions, joint disorders and as a digestive stimulant. Cold-press extraction is the only method that preserves these bioactive compounds.

Mustard oil acts as a natural stimulant for the digestive system — it promotes bile secretion from the gallbladder, which improves fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). The glucosinolates in cold-press mustard oil also have prebiotic properties, supporting a healthy gut microbiome. This is why traditional Indian meals cooked in mustard oil are easier to digest than those cooked in refined oils.

Cold-press mustard oil is rich in Vitamin E (tocopherols) and Zinc — both essential for skin barrier function and collagen synthesis. It has a natural SPF of approximately 1.7, making it a traditional sun-protection agent in North Indian communities. For hair, the Selenium and Omega-3 content reduces scalp inflammation, strengthens hair follicles and reduces premature greying. Refined oil loses 60–80% of these micronutrients during processing.

Refined mustard oil undergoes bleaching, deodorising and chemical solvent extraction (hexane) at temperatures above 200°C. This process destroys 60–80% of Vitamin E, eliminates all glucosinolates, removes natural antioxidants, and strips the oil of its characteristic pungency. What remains is a nutritionally hollow, flavourless fat. Cold-press extraction at below 45°C preserves every bioactive compound the seed contains.

Cold-press sesame oil contains sesamol and sesamin — two lignans found in no other cooking oil. These compounds actively lower LDL cholesterol, reduce arterial inflammation and have been shown in clinical studies to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 8 mmHg. The Omega-6 to Omega-9 balance in sesame oil supports healthy HDL levels without spiking triglycerides.

Sesame oil has the highest antioxidant content of any commonly used cooking oil — primarily from sesamol, sesaminol and vitamin E tocopherols. These antioxidants neutralise free radicals, slow cellular ageing and protect against oxidative stress-linked conditions including diabetes and certain cancers. Cold-press extraction preserves these compounds fully; refining destroys up to 70% of them.

Sesame oil is unusually rich in calcium, zinc and copper — three minerals critical for bone density and joint cartilage maintenance. Regular dietary use is associated with reduced risk of osteoporosis and improved joint mobility. In Ayurveda, sesame oil (til ka tel) is the preferred oil for Abhyanga massage specifically because it penetrates deep into joint tissue and reduces Vata-related stiffness.

Cold-press sesame oil has a natural SPF of approximately 30 — significantly higher than mustard oil or coconut oil. It is rich in zinc (essential for skin repair), vitamin E and fatty acids that deeply condition hair and scalp. South Indian women have used gingelly oil (sesame) for hair oiling for centuries — it prevents premature greying, reduces dandruff and adds natural shine without silicone.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that sesamin supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fasting blood glucose in Type 2 diabetic patients. The magnesium content in sesame oil also plays a role in glucose metabolism. For diabetic patients managing cooking oil choices, cold-press sesame oil is one of the most evidence-backed options available.

Sesamin has demonstrated hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties in animal and human studies — it reduces lipid peroxidation in liver cells and supports healthy bile production. The oil also has mild laxative properties that support gut motility. In traditional South Indian cooking, sesame oil is used in rice dishes and chutneys specifically for its digestive benefits.

Cold-press soya oil has one of the highest Omega-3 (ALA) contents of any vegetable oil — approximately 7–8%, higher even than mustard oil. For vegetarian and vegan households that cannot access fish-based Omega-3, cold-press soya oil is the most accessible plant-based source. The phytosterols in soya oil also actively block cholesterol absorption in the gut, reducing LDL by up to 15%.

Soya oil is one of the richest dietary sources of Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) — a nutrient most Indians are deficient in. Vitamin K2 is essential for directing calcium into bones (not arteries), making it critical for both bone density and cardiovascular health. Cold-press extraction preserves the full Vitamin K2 content; refined soya oil loses most of it during deodorisation.

Cold-press soya oil retains natural lecithin — a phospholipid that is a direct precursor to acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for memory and learning. Choline from soya lecithin supports myelin sheath formation around nerve fibres. Regular consumption is associated with improved cognitive performance and reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Soya oil contains isoflavones — plant compounds with mild estrogenic activity that support immune modulation, reduce menopausal symptoms in women and have demonstrated anti-cancer properties in multiple studies. The phytosterols also reduce systemic inflammation. These bioactive compounds are entirely absent from refined soya oil, which is why cold-press extraction is the only form worth consuming.

Cold-press soya oil retains lutein and zeaxanthin — two carotenoids that accumulate in the macula of the eye and protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. With screen time increasing dramatically across Indian urban populations, dietary lutein from cold-press soya oil is an accessible preventive measure against vision deterioration.

Cold-press soya oil has a smoke point of approximately 450°F (232°C) and a neutral, clean flavour that does not overpower delicate dishes. This makes it ideal for South Indian cooking (where mustard oil's pungency is unwanted), Chinese-style stir-fries, baking and salad dressings. It is the most versatile cold-press oil in the Dune Aura range for households that cook across multiple regional cuisines.

Cold-press coconut oil is approximately 65% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — a unique class of saturated fat that bypasses normal fat digestion and is converted directly to ketones in the liver for immediate energy. Unlike long-chain fats that are stored, MCTs are metabolised rapidly. This is why coconut oil is the preferred cooking fat for athletes, people on ketogenic diets and anyone managing chronic fatigue.

Approximately 50% of cold-press coconut oil is lauric acid — a medium-chain fatty acid that converts to monolaurin in the body. Monolaurin has demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria (including H. pylori and Staphylococcus aureus), viruses and fungi (including Candida). This is why coconut oil has been used in Ayurvedic oil pulling and wound care for centuries — and why it remains uniquely effective as a functional food.

In Alzheimer's disease, the brain loses its ability to use glucose as fuel. MCT-derived ketones provide an alternative energy source that bypasses this metabolic defect. Multiple clinical studies have shown that MCT supplementation (from coconut oil) improves cognitive function in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's patients. Cold-press coconut oil is the most accessible dietary source of MCTs for Indian households.

Cold-press coconut oil has the smallest molecular structure of any cooking oil, allowing it to penetrate the hair shaft and skin dermis more deeply than any other oil. It reduces protein loss in hair by up to 39% (vs mineral oil's 0% reduction). For skin, its lauric acid content makes it naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal — effective for dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and as a makeup remover. Kerala and Tamil Nadu communities have used it for daily hair oiling for generations.

Unlike long-chain polyunsaturated fats (sunflower, soya) which can suppress thyroid function, the MCTs in coconut oil actively stimulate thyroid hormone production and increase basal metabolic rate by 5–12%. For individuals with hypothyroidism — a condition affecting an estimated 42 million Indians — replacing refined vegetable oils with cold-press coconut oil can support thyroid health alongside medical treatment.

Lauric acid from coconut oil selectively targets and eliminates harmful gut bacteria (including H. pylori, a major cause of gastric ulcers in India) while leaving beneficial Lactobacillus strains intact. This selective antimicrobial action makes cold-press coconut oil uniquely beneficial for gut microbiome health. It also reduces intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") — a root cause of systemic inflammation and autoimmune conditions.