IJRAP International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 2277-4343 Moksha Publishing House 10.7897/2277-4343.17136 GLORIOUS UNREFINED PAST TO THE OBSESSED REFINING PRESENT OF EDIBLE OIL: A REVIEW Keziah Mary George * Smitha Bhat 11 -0001 206 210 Fat is an essential part of our diet. Healthy fats are needed for healthy living. Unlike other animals, humans have developed a reliance on oil as a source of energy and nutrition. Food oils or edible oils referred to as cooking oils are extensively used in all types of cuisine. But the choice of cooking oil has been the focus of intense debate from the past century. Numerous claims abound, each touting one cooking oil as superior to others. Oil is the heart of almost every Indian dish and the first ingredient that we reach for in the kitchen is oil. India has a diverse culture, when it comes to foods, different types of oil are used for cooking across India. Cooking oil differs according to the availability of natural sources, climate and the type and flavour of the dish. Selection of the healthy cooking oil is always important as it is an everyday ingredient. This article is an effort to understand the worth of unrefined cooking oil over refined cooking oil and to realize the hazardous health effects caused by refined oil consumption. Cooking Oil Refined Oil Unrefined Oil