Find out about the health effects of mayonnaise

If consumed in moderation, mayonnaise can be part of healthy eating

Mayonnaise

Invented in 1756, in the Spanish municipality Maó, in the community of the Balearic Islands, mayonnaise was taken to France by the Duke of Richelieu and became popular in several countries around the world. Widely used in making sandwiches, hamburgers, potato salads, among other dishes, mayonnaise became known as a sauce based on a semi-solid emulsion of edible vegetable oil, egg yolk or whole egg, vinegar or lemon juice, according to the research “Elaboration of mayonnaise with different types of vegetable oils” by the Postgraduate Program in Agroindustrial Science and Technology (DCTA).

The most used oils for processing mayonnaise are soy and sunflower vegetables, the latter being different from soy because it has a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega 3 and omega 6 (essential fatty acids that they are not produced by the body, but must be present). As they are vegetable, oils contain fats considered good for the body, such as poly and monounsaturated ones, and do not contain the dreaded trans fat.

The composition of mayonnaise generates controversy regarding the harm it causes to health, because it contains good fats and, if consumed in moderation, help to increase HDL, called “good cholesterol”. And because it contains this high amount of fat, mayonnaise can cause a considerable increase in calories, which can harm a person's health. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation.

For example, according to a survey by the pharmacy course at the State University of Paraíba, entitled "Epidemiological profile of food poisoning reported at the Toxicological Service Center of Campina Grande, Paraíba", a percentage of only 7% was found for food poisoning caused by ingestion of mayonnaise.

But the survey itself states that this percentage can be believed to be approximate, since this type of product is widely used by the population of São Paulo, who, for example, in 2001 consumed, on average, 10.5 tons of mayonnaise per day, sauces and seasonings.

In other words, mayonnaise is bad if consumed and excessive and moderate use does not cause so many worries. However, consumption of the product has always been high and, with this, poisoning and health problems may appear. One way to control your consumption of this sauce is to make your own mayonnaise. See a simple recipe for homemade mayonnaise that can be tastier and healthier than industrialized ones, because you are responsible for preparing the sauce.



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