What Are the Different Types of Olive Oil?
What Are the Benefits of Olive Oil?
- Rich in Monounsaturated Oleic Acid
- Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
- May Help Prevent Strokes
- Lowers Risk of Diabetes
Introduction
For thousands of years, olive oil has been regarded as one of the best ingredients for food, cosmetics, and other products because of its various health benefits. In fact, it is essential to cuisine in the Mediterranean Basin, where some of the healthiest countries are found.
Homer, the ancient Greek poet, referred to olive oil as “liquid gold.” Meanwhile, Greek physician Hippocrates referred to it as the “great healer” and recommended it for many medical conditions. These descriptions are evident of the impact olive oil has made on cultures around the world.
The popularity of this ingredient only continues to grow as individuals find new ways to incorporate it into their food and personal care products. If you want to take advantage of all the benefits olive oil has to offer, turn to Fresh Fin Gourmet for the highest-quality extra virgin olive oil.
What Is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is extracted from ripe olives using various methods. Traditional extraction practices involve pressing the olives, while modern methods involve crushing the fruit and separating the pulp from the oil after mixing.
What Are the Different Types of Olive Oil?
There are a wide variety of olive oils available on the market. Their differences mainly depend on the type of olives used, the region it was made in, and the process used to extract the oil. The most common types are:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Considered the highest-quality variant, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is known for its unparalleled flavor and aroma. Most EVOO products have a distinct peppery taste, but milder versions are also available.
Unlike other types of olive oil, EVOO has a lower acidity, which makes it ideal for consumption on its own. It is also often used in salad dressings, dipping oils, and even baked goods.
Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil is very similar to EVOO. However, it has a milder taste and slight flavor defects. Virgin olive oil also has a higher acidity compared to EVOO. It is often used for low-heat cooking, such as sautéing, light frying, or roasting.
Pure or Regular Olive Oil
This type of olive oil is very common and available in most grocery stores. It is made of a combination of virgin and refined olive oil, which is treated with heat and chemicals to eliminate some of its flavor defects.
Pure or regular olive oil has a more neutral taste, which is why it is often used as a multipurpose cooking oil. It can be used in high-heat cooking, such as grilling, searing, baking, and frying.
This type of olive oil is also commonly used in personal care products, such as hair conditioners, soaps, lotions, and moisturizers.
Light Olive Oil
Similar to pure olive oil, this product is made of a combination of refined and virgin olive oil. However, it has a lower percentage of virgin olive oil, which means it doesn’t provide as many health benefits as the other variants.
Light olive oil has a very neutral taste, so it is perfect for most high-heat cooking methods. Since it doesn’t have the traditional peppery flavor of most olive oils, it is an excellent ingredient for baking various pastries and bread products.
Olive Pomace Oil
Olive pomace oil is considered the lowest-quality olive oil because it is extracted from the residue or dry remains of the olive after it is pressed or crushed. This product is often mixed with some virgin olive oil to improve its quality.
Since olive pomace oil is very refined, it doesn’t have the traditional flavor of other olive oils. It also isn’t as healthy as other variants. However, it is important to note that this type of olive oil still has more health benefits compared to other cooking oils.
This product is best used for high-heat cooking methods, such as frying and sautéing.
What Are the Benefits of Olive Oil?
Several studies have proven that olive oil can improve the health of various body parts—from hair and skin to the heart and liver. Whether used alone or mixed with other ingredients, this highly versatile product can help enhance your overall well-being.
Rich in Monounsaturated Oleic Acid
According to Healthline, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. This fatty acid has been confirmed to have many beneficial effects and is a healthy choice for cooking. It aids in weight loss, heart disease prevention, and inflammation reduction.
Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
Some studies have proven that individuals who regularly consume olive oil have lower chances of death from cardiovascular diseases compared to those who don’t. People who replace saturated fats with olive oil as part of their diet seem to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol than those who consume more saturated fat daily. According to Medical News Today, some experts even call olive oil “the standard in preventive medicine.”
May Help Prevent Strokes
Several major studies show that people who consume olive oil have a lower risk of stroke, which is the second leading cause of death in developing countries.
Lowers Risk of Diabetes
Recent studies show that eating a diet rich in olive oil helps prevent diabetes by reducing glucose levels, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides. Since it has cholesterol-lowering properties, olive oil can also prevent several diseases common to diabetic patients.
According to the American Diabetes Association’s publication “Diabetes Care,” olive oil will help reduce belly fat and improve insulin sensitivity. The publication also stated that consuming about 15–20 grams of olive oil per day lowers the risk of developing diabetes.