New Delhi: Commercial mayonnaise is usually made with unhealthy fats and offers very little nutrition. Most types of mayonnaise found at the grocery store, including the low-fat and low-calorie versions, may negatively affect your health.

 

Mayonnaise and often abbreviated as mayo is a thick, creamy dressing often used as a condiment. It is a stable emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and either vinegar or lemon juice,with many options for embellishment with other herbs and spices. Mayonnaise varies in color, but is often white, cream, or pale yellow. It may range in texture from that of light cream to a thick gel.

 

Mayonnaise contains about 40 percent more oil which is way too much for an average person to consume. Hence, it can cause a lot of health hazards.

Weight Gain:

One of the main health effects of mayonnaise is weight gain. In every junk food, you will find this ingredient widely present. Mayonnaise contains fat which is very difficult to burn. Moreover, mayonnaise is the main reason for pot bellies as the fat gets stored in the abdominal region of the body

 

Heart Diseases:

The other health hazard of mayonnaise is that it leads to heart diseases, which also involves the risk of heart attacks. The omega fats present in mayo can lead to heart diseases and cancer. This is one of the reasons mayonnaise is bad for your health.

 

Cholesterol:

 

 It increases cholesterol like crazy. Eating mayo will also reduce your energy levels. If you are addicted to mayonnaise, it is best to avoid it as it will only affect your health in one way or the other. The increase of cholesterol is due to the fatty oil present in the mayo.

Stomach Ulcers:

 

When you are suffering from stomach ulcers, it is safe to stay away from mayonnaise. The fat in mayonnaise will only cause a rise in inflammation of the ulcers. This is one of the health effects of mayonnaise!

Bad for Diabetics:

Mayonnaise is bad if you are diabetic. One serving of mayonnaise or one burger filled with the sauce will only increase your level of sugar, making you feel weak and lethargy.

But not only disadvantages, mayonnaise also have few benefits along with it.

 

Mayonnaise’s Benefits:

Mayonnaise is mostly fat, with homemade versions containing up to 85% fat, and commercially produced mayonnaise having about 70% to 80% fat. Though this is the case, most of the fat in this condiment is unsaturated, the so-called good fat, because the edible oils used come from plant sources.

 

Mayonnaise has been identified as one of the potent sources of vitamin E as well. This comes as no surprise as eggs and edible oils from plant sources, the two main ingredients, are both rich in this antioxidant vitamin. And because of the antioxidant profile of this condiment, eating it might just help decrease the risk of succumbing to stroke, according to a study conducted on post-menopausal women.

 

And because mayonnaise has a high fat content, eating it then aids in nutrient absorption. Bear in mind that vitamins A, D, E and K are all fat-soluble, meaning, these nutrients need fat for them to be dissolved and subsequently be made bio-available. Eating mayonnaise in moderation then ensures that the fat-soluble nutrients you take in daily through your diet do not get wasted and instead be absorbed efficiently by your body.

Alternative for mayonnaise:

 

Homemade mayonnaise will always be superior in terms of quality, taste, and nutrition. For one, you’d get to select healthier edible oils. For another, you’d get to avoid food preservatives and chemical additives that are typically present in commercially produced versions. Furthermore, making your own mayonnaise guarantees fresh condiment every time.

What to do?

You can choose the type of oil to use, though olive oil is by far the most popular in home recipes. You can experiment with macadamia nut oil, too. It would be best if you can source free range eggs as well. In a glass bowl, whisk two egg yolks using a hand blender. Slowly add three-fourths to a cup of your choice of edible oil while whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. Season with freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper and blend until thoroughly thick. Store in an airtight glass jar and place in the refrigerator. This homemade mayonnaise should last a week.