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Journalism of Courage
Not many may have heard of argan oil. Endemic to southern Morocco and valued for its flavour as well as health benefits,it is used extensively for cooking in that region.
The argan tree is a very resistant tree of the arid regions,whose roots grow deep in search of water and thus help retain the soil,preventing its erosion and limiting the advance of the desert. Argan tree plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance and the economic situation of the population. In 1999,Unesco added the argan tree to the World Heritage list.
The argan tree bears plum-sized fruits from whose nuts the argan oil is extracted. For centuries,women of this region have produced argan oil for their consumption and traditional Moroccan medicine. It is also known for its cosmetic properties.
Several benefits of argan oil,owing to its fatty acid profile and high nutritive content,make it a valuable therapeutic oil. The oil has a unique nutty aroma and is considered as the best culinary oil by Moroccans. In fact,it is believed to be valued by several neighbouring nations such as Israel where it is allegedly sold for US 43 per litre,compared to US 4/litre for olive oil.
Like sesame and ground nut oil,its rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids MUFA and poly-unsaturated fatty acids PUFA. A good balance between MUFA and PUFA makes it excellent for cardiovascular health. Several studies suggest that argan oil has anti-atherogenic properties prevention of formation of plaques in arteries.
Being rich in vitamin E,it has been used for a long time for body and skin care.
Argan oil is rich in phytochemicals like polyphenols anti-oxidants and sterols that prevent clogging of arteries. Studies suggest that argan oil has immense therapeutic potential against proliferative diseases such as cancer. Argan oil may prove specially beneficial in prevention of prostrate cancer as shown in a 2007 study.
Discovering argan oil and its virtues compelled me to share it with all of you,hoping some day we are able to grow this exotic nutty oil from Morocco in our own country.
