Can Agran oil be used for anything? Used by the native Amazigh people of Morocco for its capacity to help cure the appearance of scars and for calming rheumatic ailments – among many other positive properties – argan oil now is one of the trendiest cosmetic products on the market.
It could be found in almost every spice store in any of Morocco’s many medinas, however, the price and quality will depend on where you go. With few standards regulating the ‘certified bio’ designation, one truly needs to know their argan oil facts to be sure it’s the genuine thing.
Whether you’re out for its healing properties, or in search of a new nutty taste for your culinary adventures, here’s what to look for when purchasing argan oil in Morocco.
Because of its mild, nutty taste and a vast range of possible health advantages, argan oil has been a culinary mainstay in Morocco for decades.
The oil in argan butter comes from the kernels of the argan tree’s fruit.
Although it originated in Morocco, argan oil is now widely utilized in other parts of the world for things like cooking and cosmetics.
Oil extracted from argan seeds should be cold pressed for cosmetic use so that the oil’s high Vitamin E content is not lost in the process. The fruit was traditionally only compressed after being digested by a goat and retrieved from the animal’s excrement, a delicacy for the goats who wander the area and climb the scraggly trees.
Technology has made it possible to streamline the process from the moment the fruit is harvested, making it considerably more sanitary.
The color of genuine argan oil ought to be a murky yet muted yellow. If the argan oil is excessively yellow, it may have been adulterated with a cheaper oil to bring down the price. Remember that it takes 30 kilos of nuts to make only 1 kilogram of oil.
You shouldn’t feel any heaviness after applying the oil to your skin; in fact, your skin may need some time to fully absorb it. The purest, highest-quality oil isn’t always the one that comes off in the morning shower.
Argan oil, like other food products, should ideally be purchased and stored in a glass bottle to prevent any contamination from plastics. For a high-quality argan oil in a 150-milliliter bottle, you may expect to spend up to 200 Dirhams (about $20).
Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 lipid, is abundant in argan oil.
In addition to avocados and olive oil, oleic acid may be found in a number of other foods that have also been praised for their purported heart-healthy properties.
One small human investigation compared the effects of argan oil and olive oil on antioxidant levels in the blood and found that both oils were equally effective at lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Another, more modest human trial found that those who consumed more argan oil had lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and greater amounts of antioxidants in their blood.
Forty healthy adults participated in research on the effects of argan oil on their risk of cardiovascular disease; those who ingested 15 grams of argan oil daily for 30 days had a 16% and 20% drop in “bad” LDL and triglyceride levels.
Larger studies are needed to fully evaluate the potential benefits of argan oil on human heart health, but these first findings are encouraging.
There has been a rapid rise in the use of argan oil as a component in cosmetics intended for the treatment of the skin.
Argan oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may make it useful in delaying the aging process when consumed as part of a healthy diet.
When administered topically, it may help the skin rebuild itself and stay healthy, delaying the onset of visible aging.
Argan oil has been shown in certain human trials to improve skin elasticity and moisture in postmenopausal women when used either orally or topically.
In the end, further studies involving actual people are required.
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