F or thousands of years, olive oil has been used as a monosaturated oil for cooking. As a result, it has unlimited health benefits, which is why many people prefer to cook with it. But the question remains, with its low smoking point, is olive oil healthy to cook with?
In theory, it sounds fantastic to consume the healthiest oil out there in every form, but in reality, olive oil may not be the best way to cook! Let’s see why:
Good Quality Olive Oil Is Expensive
Good quality extra virgin oil is not cheap. When you are saving up to buy it, why use it for cooking when you know it may lose its taste and benefits? This is why you should try to opt for other oils or saturated fats while cooking and save olive oil for drizzling over the top. This trick will let you consume this delicious oil with all of its properties and nutritions that are supremely beneficial for you!
Polyphenols Are Damaged Under Heat
One of the best things about olive oil is that it has phenolic elements in it that have high antioxidant properties. Moreover, these phenols play the role of antioxidants in your body and perform various tasks, such as improving heart condition. Unfortunately, these phenols degrade at a higher heat level.
Extensive research proves that polyphenols and phenols, such as luteolin, hydroxytyrosol, etc., in extra virgin olive oil are not stable in the presence of heat. Plus, they can be degraded within a matter of a few minutes only. For example, if you heat it in a container on top of a stove at a temperature of 461°F/188°C for 5-6 minutes only, you will see a 69% loss of luteolin and 50% of hydroxytyrosol.
Say Bye-Bye To Fatty Omega Acids
Olive Oil is highly suggested for health reasons because it has Omega 6 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. A study shows that the basic element that makes up the tissue cell membranes in our body is Omega 3 fats. These are found mostly in sperm, brain, and retina, where DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is composed of 36% of total fatty acids.
However, these fats aren’t great under heat. So, if you wish to preserve the nutritional value of olive oil, you shouldn’t expose it to heat.
Olive Oil Can become Toxic
While it is true that olive oil may lose its significant nutritional value when it is heated due to its low smoke property, did you know that it can become toxic as well? When you use olive oil to cook, you play with the danger of forming smoke. This smoke contains elements that are possibly dangerous for human beings.
Inauthentic Olive Oil Is Unhealthy
It is next to impossible to find original olive oil. Research showed that even the best-selling olive oils are not 100% authentic and are mixed with cheaper oils. So, it does not matter which brand you buy; there is a chance that you won’t be consuming 100% original olive oil.
Instead of choosing an expensive oil to cook with, why not go for vegetable oils or plant-based oil to cook and prepare delicious meals.
Loss Of Flavor
Some people may agree that olive oil is not the best cooking oil, while others may not and continue to use it in cooking. But, one thing everyone can agree upon is that olive oil loses its eccentric taste when it is heated, which is a tragedy, really!
So, if you want to enjoy the complex favor of oil, you should wait till your food is cooked and then pour some drops from the top!
When To Use, Skip, and Use As Alternative
You can use olive oil as a dressing for your salad, base for sauteing veggies on low heat, and drizzling agent on soup, bread, and other savories. However, avoid using it if you’re cooking on high heat, and use other saturated fats for cooking food, such as canola oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, etc.
The bottom line is that olive oil is still the best oil out there. But is olive oil healthy to cook with? The answer is no! If you’re spending money buying extra virgin olive oil, you’re serious about investing in your health. So, don’t go astray by using it for cooking and losing all of its magical powers!
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- health
- cooking
- Is Olive Oil Healthy To Cook With
- Olive oil
