The Perfect Oil: Tallow + Why Seed Oils Should Not Be Consumed | Steven Arena of Masa Chips
Jun 9, 2023
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Guest Steven Arena, Co-founder of Masa Chips, talks about the benefits of beef tallow for frying, the truth about seed oils, avocado oil, corn chips, and the importance of investing in health. They also discuss collagen, organic corn, gradually building up sun exposure, and red light therapy.
Fixing the quality of original foods is more important than substituting them with highly processed alternatives.
Beef tallow is a healthier and more natural alternative to seed oils for frying, providing better taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Corn in Masa Chips is prepared through a traditional process that enhances digestibility and nutrient bioavailability, making it an ideal ingredient for authentic tortilla chips.
Seed oils are highly processed and concentrated, leading to inflammation, insulin resistance, and various health issues. Consuming saturated fats like tallow can improve skin health and protect against sunburn.
Deep dives
The Problem with Swapping Processed Foods
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the problem with swapping one processed food for another. The speaker highlights the importance of fixing the quality of original foods rather than replacing them with highly processed alternatives. The speaker emphasizes that traditional foods can be both delicious and healthy, and that modern issues with health can be better addressed by returning to the quality of original foods before the use of agriculture chemicals.
The Feature of Beef Tallow in Masa Chips
The podcast explores the use of beef tallow in Masa Chips, which sets them apart from other tortilla chip brands. The speaker explains that beef tallow is chosen over seed oils like canola or avocado oil because it provides better results in terms of taste, texture, and nutritional value. The use of beef tallow, which has been traditionally used for frying, is considered a healthier and more natural alternative. Moreover, the podcast mentions the availability of wasted tallow from pasture-raised beef, contributing to sustainability and reducing waste.
The Digestibility and Nutritional Benefits of Corn
The podcast emphasizes the importance of corn as the main ingredient in Masa Chips. The speaker highlights how corn has been cultivated over thousands of years and prepared through a traditional process called nixtamalization. This process involves boiling corn with limestone to remove the indigestible outer shell and increase the bioavailability of certain nutrients. Corn's digestibility and taste make it ideal for creating authentic tortilla chips. The podcast also addresses concerns about corn due to genetic modifications and highlights the use of organic corn in Masa Chips.
The Negative Health Effects of Seed Oils
The podcast delves into the negative health effects of consuming seed oils, also known as industrial seed oils. The speaker identifies common seed oils, including soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, and more. These oils are highly processed and concentrated, making them inflammatory and detrimental to overall health. The speaker explains that seed oils can cause various health issues, ranging from inflammation to insulin resistance, and can contribute to diseases such as macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, and fatty liver disease. The high consumption of seed oils is linked to the concentrated levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which can lead to inflammation and tissue damage throughout the body.
The Importance of Eating Healthy Fats
Eating healthy fats, such as olive oil, butter, tallow, and ghee, is crucial for optimal health. While fruit oils like olive oil are beneficial, seed oils can be inflammatory and detrimental to our health. Avoiding seed oils and consuming adequate amounts of cholesterol-rich fats like saturated fats can improve our skin's ability to handle sun exposure and protect against sunburn. Additionally, maintaining a diet rich in vitamins, such as vitamin A, found in fats like butter and tallow, is essential for skin health.
Building Sun Tolerance and Sunscreen Recommendations
Building up sun tolerance gradually is important to enjoy the many health benefits of sunlight without risking sunburn. Starting sun exposure in the morning or using red light therapy can help prime the skin for UV exposure. Gradually increasing sun exposure time and avoiding the use of chemical sunscreens can promote skin's ability to handle the sun's rays. Wearing protective clothing, like linen clothing or hats, can also provide shade and additional sun protection. Non-toxic zinc-based sunscreens can be an alternative if necessary.
149: Today's guest is Steven Arena, Co-founder of Masa Chips. If you are not familiar with Masa Chips, they are tortilla chips made with a few simple ingredients; organic corn, grass fed beef tallow and salt. Steven joins me to talk about tallow, PUFA's, the food industry, avocado oil and so much more. If you want to try Masa Chips, you can use code REALFOODOLOGY for a discount here.
Topics Covered:
Avocado oil and how it's mostly fake + can you find a REAL avocado oil?
