There is puzzle especially among nutritionists and food experts about vegetable oil and olive oil or coconut oil. There are those who argue that cooking with vegetable oil is beneficial to your health while others say that cooking with coconut or olive oil is good for your health. Vegetable oils have their own nutritious benefits and olive oil has its unique properties and nutritious value. Before we look into these oils it is good to first understand what they are:
Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural juice that is extracted from the olive plant. It is important to emphasize that olive oil is the only vegetable oil that is pure and natural and can be consumed directly by pressing the olive fruit.
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats responsible for lowering the cholesterol levels in your body. Pure virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenol, an antioxidant that helps in protecting the body from free radicals that may cause various health issues and damage. Olive oil contains the largest amount of heart healthy fat compared to any other oil that is naturally produced.
Olive oil is helpful to individuals suffering from stomach disorders like ulcers and gastritis. This oil helps in activating bile and pancreatic hormones production. It also helps in lowering the occurrence of gallstones.
On the other hand, olive oil has a fairly low smoke point. This means that it is not ideal for certain cooking methods that require high heat for example high-stir frying and pan-searing. However, it is essential to point out that olive oil has a unique and distinct taste that can leave your food tasting good.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is a general term used to refer oils that are made by blending different oils derived from a variety if seeds, oils and nuts. A petroleum-derived chemical called hexane is commonly used to quickly extract the oil for high yields. Sunflower, soybean oil, palm oil are the most popular vegetable oils today.
Vegetable oils have a higher smoke point and are ideal for high-temperature cooking including deep frying and shallow frying. The industrialization processing of vegetable oils makes them an undesirable choice for health-conscious people. However, there are those individuals who prefer vegetable oils to olive or coconut oil because they do not transfer too much flavor or taste to their food during the cooking process.
Cooking your food using olive oil or coconut oil has more health benefits than vegetable oil. Olive oil has a lower fat content and helps in reducing cholesterol levels in your body. Depending on your cooking needs and preference, you can either choose to use olive oil or vegetable oil.
