Does Olive Oil Lose Its Health Benefits When It Gets Heated?

Contrary what you might have heard, Olive Oil does not make you sick. This is the basis of the Mediterranean Diet.

It is possible to wonder why Olive Oil should not be used in cooking. Olive Oil's benefits are lost when heated. This belief is common. However, it is possible to be wrong.

Olive Oil's fat content is the most important thing about it.

According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats can lower bad cholesterol levels in bloodstream vessels. These fats can lower your chances of suffering from heart disease or stroke.

Each Extra Virgin olive oil contains the same amount of monounsaturated fat, whether it is refined, heated or raw.

What are the Trans Fats on Olive Oils?

Trans fats can be formed when cooking oils are heated.

Smoke Position For Olive Oil

Heat beyond the smoke point can cause all components to become unfit for purpose. Olive Oil and light-tasting Olive Oil have a smoke tip of 395-410degF.

It's unlikely that you will reach the smoke level of Olive Oil by using ordinary cooking methods. Olive Oil experts recommend that you exercise caution to avoid food being burnt.

Carcinogens and Other Hazardous Compounds

Any petroleum product that has reached its smoke point may be heated to create compounds. Olive Oil, rich in antioxidants or phenols, can prevent the formation toxic chemicals by heating it.

2004 was when a team looked at the aldehydes that were produced by heating Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olive Oil to 464degF. Regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oils were found to be more nutritious than canola and other oils.

Oxidation

Unsaturated fats can oxidize when heated. Canola, and other polyunsaturated oils, are more likely to keep control than monounsaturated oil, like olive oil.

Phenols

Some people believe that Olive Oil should not be used for cooking because of the potential for phenols to be destroyed by heat.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil can absorb phenols into foods. Extra Virgin Olive Oil fried potatoes have more antioxidants than potatoes boiled in water.

What about the taste and aroma of olive oil?

Olive Oil's flavor chemical are delicate and may evaporate when heated. However, it will make olive oil taste blander.

Olive Oil can be used for cooking. Heating Olive Oil will not affect the health benefits or make it unsafe.