Precautions when storing flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil has been attracting attention in recent years because it has good health effects. Such flaxseed oil is a food that is vulnerable to oxidation and high temperatures. Many people may be wondering how to store flaxseed oil with the above properties. There are many concerns about whether it is okay to store at room temperature or whether it should be stored refrigerated. In this article, I will explain in detail how to store flaxseed oil. I hope it will be helpful for those who are worried about how to store flaxseed oil.

What is the correct way to store flaxseed oil?

Linseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that are essential to the body but cannot be produced by the body. Such flaxseed oil has a delicate property that its effect may be reduced due to high heat or oxidation. Here, we will explain in detail how to store flaxseed oil.

Explaining the correct storage method for flaxseed oil

It is important to know the correct storage method in order to use flaxseed oil as effectively as possible without losing its freshness by the expiration date. All that is required is whether it can be stored in a sealed state. The reason why it is necessary to keep it sealed is that flaxseed oil is oxidized by contact with air. Close the lid tightly and store as soon as possible after opening. Depending on the container, the lid may loosen as the bottle expands as the temperature rises. It's a good idea to check it from time to time and close it again. Also, where to put it is very important as a way to keep it fresh for a long time.

The point of proper storage of flaxseed oil is to avoid the area around the gas stove where the quality deteriorates due to high temperature and heat, and the place where it is exposed to direct sunlight.

Light from fluorescent lamps can also reduce the freshness of flaxseed oil. The best place is to avoid light and store in a dark and cool place. In addition, it may cause deterioration even if it is left in a hot car for a long time, such as in a car on the way home from shopping, so be careful.

Resolve questions about how to store flaxseed oil

It is said that the correct storage method is to store foods, beverages, seasonings, etc. once taken out of the bag in the refrigerator, but products with delicate characteristics such as flaxseed oil can also be stored in the same way. Is not it. Here, let's solve the question about how to store flaxseed oil.

Does flaxseed oil need to be stored in the refrigerator?

The standard temperature of the refrigerator is about 2 to 6 ° C, and in places such as chilled rooms that are not exposed to the outside air, the standard temperature is about -1 to 1 ° C. The temperature in the vegetable room is 3 to 7 ° C, and that in the freezer is -20 to 18 ° C. Basically, flaxseed oil will lose its quality if stored in a place below 0 ° C. In the refrigerator, the chilled room and freezer will have a negative temperature, so it is a good idea to avoid it. Also, if stored in the refrigerator, white turbidity may occur. However, since this turbidity is derived from raw materials, it does not cause any harm to the body. So you don't have to worry about it when you eat. However, it is not suitable as a storage place for transparent oil to become turbid, so consider changing the storage location.

In addition, many flaxseed oil products are marked as not requiring storage in the refrigerator. If you are careful to store it away from normal temperature, high temperature and strong sunlight, you do not need to store it in the refrigerator.

Explanation of the best-by date of flaxseed oil

Not only flaxseed oil, but also edible oil before opening has a characteristic that the expiration date changes depending on the container in which it is contained. For example, cans, colored glass bottles, and paper containers have a best-by date of two years after manufacture.

You can think that the basic expiration date is one and a half years after manufacturing for colorless and transparent glass bottles, and about one year for plastic containers. As a storage method, it is desirable to place it in the same temperature and humidity as after opening.

You can prevent the oxidation and deterioration of flaxseed oil just by choosing a cool and dark place, refraining from hot and humid places. It can be stored on a yearly basis before opening, but it is best to use up within 1 to 2 months after opening so that the flaxseed oil can be eaten deliciously.

Reference: Is flaxseed oil effective for dieting?

What happens if I make a mistake in storing flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil is a healthy oil. However, if you drink flaxseed oil that has deteriorated in quality due to improper storage, it may be a healthy food, but there is a risk that it will harm your health. Here, we will introduce the risks and points when purchasing flaxseed oil if it is stored incorrectly.

Dangerous when flaxseed oil oxidizes

Flaxseed oil is also famous as an oil that easily oxidizes. Avoid drinking oxidized flaxseed oil. The reason is that oxidized flaxseed oil is harmful to the body. By oxidizing flaxseed oil, the originally required components are transformed into "trans fatty acids". Trans fatty acids are transformed into components that cause diseases such as blood vessels such as arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a disease that occurs when the flexibility and elasticity of arteries is reduced. Trans fatty acids adversely affect the flexibility and elasticity of blood vessels. Therefore, the flaxseed oil that you drink for your health may oxidize, which may adversely affect your health.

There was a best-by date of about one month after opening, but depending on the storage method, oxidation may proceed earlier than that time. One way to check for oxidation is to smell it.

Oxidized flaxseed oil gives off a unique oily odor that is different from when it was purchased. If you feel that the smell is strange, dispose of it immediately. If you are purchasing flaxseed oil for the first time, you will notice the oxidation just by checking the scent after opening. Please give it a try.

Be careful when buying flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil is popular because it has a high health effect and is also sold at general supermarkets and drug stores, but there are some points to be aware of when purchasing it.

First, the container containing flaxseed oil must have a light-shielding property. Dark colored bottles such as brown and blue block light and prevent oxidation. Conversely, avoid items in transparent containers that show the color of flaxseed oil.

It is also a point that I would like you to see the position where it is displayed next. Since flaxseed oil is oxidized by sunlight, even a light-shielding bottle container may be slightly oxidized if it is displayed in a sunny place. When buying flaxseed oil, be sure to choose one that is in a dark place, such as the back or bottom of a display shelf. The last item to check is the expiration date. Flaxseed oil has an expiration date of about one month after opening, but it is also necessary to check the expiration date in the unopened state. Flaxseed oil, which is unopened and has a near expiration date, may have started to oxidize, so avoid those with a near expiration date. There are also supplements for flaxseed oil now. If you can't usually add flaxseed oil to your diet, we recommend taking it as a supplement. Make sure that the bag that contains the supplement itself has a light-shielding property, and avoid storing it in a hot and humid place.

Reference: 5 supplements using flaxseed oil

Summary

You may have learned that flaxseed oil is vulnerable to oxidation and high heat. I hope you understand that it is important to store it so that it will not oxidize as much as possible even after opening it, and to store it with the correct knowledge. Don't just buy and use it because it's a health food, but use it correctly to get closer to a healthier body.

Reference: How to choose flaxseed oil products